New England Teen Raises Thousands to Help Abused Horses
The horses, dogs, and cats at Maine’s premiere non-profit large animal shelter, the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals have a new heroine. Thirteen year old Jamie Goldberg, of Lexington, Massachusetts, recently combined her love of horses with her commitment to public service by raising more than $3,000 to benefit MSSPA.
Starving, broken, and often near death, the horses at MSSPA have been seized by state law enforcement officials and come from all over Maine. They are placed at MSSPA’s farm in Windham, where the dedicated staff nurses them back to health and puts them up for adoption, or—if the animals are un-adoptable—cares for them at MSSPA for life.
Jamie’s journey to help these fragile animals began after she and her family learned about MSSPA from a story published in the August issue of Down East magazine. After visiting the farm, meeting MSSPA President Marilyn Goodreau, and falling in love with the animals there, Jamie, an avid equestrian, wanted to do something to help. She and her parents, Leslie and Scott Goldberg, decided to use the occasion of Jamie’s upcoming Bat Mitzvah to help raise awareness about and money for MSSPA.
Committed to raising as much money as possible, Jamie joined in the organization’s “Ride to Rescue” fundraiser—a coordinated “ride” on October 11, in which participants in Maine and beyond collected pledges and raised money for MSSPA. Jamie sent out hundreds of letters and emails, asking friends, family, neighbors, and fellow equestrians to sponsor her ride; she also received help through the MSSPA newsletters. As a result of her commitment and perseverance, Jamie raised more than $3,000.00—money she knows will be used to help feed and care for the horses at the farm. “I’m surprised by how much money I was able to raise. It exceeded my expectations,” she said.
As the top fund-raiser for the 2008 “Ride to Rescue,” Jamie was honored with a custom-made horse blanket at MSSPA’s annual Animal Well Fair, held at the Society’s River Road farm on Sunday, October 19th from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. An event for MSSPA volunteers and friends, the Well Fair celebrates the fund-raising efforts of the 2008 Ride to Rescue riders; animal welfare agencies and professionals will also be on hand to welcome the public, distribute information, provide demonstrations, and collaborate on behalf of the animals who enrich our lives.
To this year’s winning “rider,” Jamie Goldberg, being able to help animals is the biggest reward. “The horses at MSSPA are so sweet; it's hard to believe the cruel stories behind their sweet faces. Even though it was a lot of work to raise the money, I am happy to know that all my efforts were put into helping my favorite animals,” Jamie said. “Prior to my Bat Mitzvah, I was taught that helping others was one of the most important things in Judaism. I am so glad that I have been able to do that!”