News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Milinda Kirkpatrick
Shining Hope Farms, Executive Director
704-827-3788 office
shininghopefarms@gmail.com
SHINING HOPE FARMS RECEIVES GRANT FROM THE CANNON FOUNDATION TO REPLACE FARM TRUCK
Mount Holly, NC (January 18, 2021) – Shining Hope Farms is pleased to announce it has received a $40,000 grant from The Cannon Foundation located in Concord, North Carolina.
The funds generously granted by The Cannon Foundation have been utilized to purchase a replacement farm truck, to be used by Shining Hope Farms’ three locations in the western piedmont region of North Carolina, all of which offer therapeutic programs involving equines.
A farm truck plays a pivotal role in the nonprofit’s operations. One of its most important uses is towing the trailer needed to transport hay that is harvested from Shining Hope Farms’ fields and then distributing that hay throughout the year to each location as needed. By being able harvest their own hay, Shining Hope Farms is able to save $15,000 or more in hay expenses annually, a savings that greatly benefits their ability to serve participants equitably. However, this savings was reduced by the poor gas mileage and constant repairs needed on their previous truck.
Hauling horses in a horse trailer is another very important use of the truck. As the main therapeutic tool used for its therapies and activities, it is important that the horses can be moved around and cared for as needed. The truck will sometimes be used to haul horses to the vet or NC State University for emergencies. It will also be used to move a horse from one farm to another when a horse’s particular characteristics are needed for participants at a different location.
Additional uses include common daily tasks like transporting supplies, materials, and equipment, either from a store, from one farm to another, or even to an event.
The nonprofit feels that the new farm truck will ultimately provide continuity of services and more productivity by nearly eliminating the disruption of the previous farm truck’s unreliability and constant need for repairs. Shining Hope Farms contributed 25% of the purchase price and with the grant funds was able to purchase their new truck in December. They are already seeing its beneficial impact on its operations.
“The replacement farm truck is ensuring service delivery for our nonprofit organization and enabling us to focus on our mission in a greater capacity. We are so grateful for The Cannon Foundation’s favorable consideration of our grant request,” said Milinda Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of Shining Hope Farms.
The Cannon Foundation was formed in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, chairman and president of the Cannon Mills Company. The Foundation continues his philanthropic legacy by funding primarily capital and infrastructure projects for organizations across the state of North Carolina. To date, the foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $305 million.
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About Shining Hope Farms
Shining Hope Farms is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to enable children and adults to reach their full potential through the use of equine assisted activities and therapies. Programs provided include physical, occupational, and speech therapy utilizing equine movement as a treatment strategy called Hippotherapy. Shining Hope Farms is the only facility offering this treatment strategy in the counties that they operate in. Therapeutic Riding is also offered to children and adults including veterans. They are a Premier Accredited Center of PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International) as well as the American Hippotherapy Association, and currently operate sites in Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Catawba Counties. There are nearly 30 horses and 40+ staff members consisting of occupational and physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, PATH Intl. certified riding instructors, and administrative staff, plus many wonderful volunteers which make a well-rounded program. Shining Hope Farms is also a GuideStar Exchange Gold participant, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability among nonprofits. For more information, please visit our website at shininghopefarms.org or call 704-827-3788.
