Ellis, 5W, Hughes Farms Destroyed – FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE $$ HERE: AQHA judge Laura Gilmer and GoHorseShow editor and writer has set up a ChipIn page where people can go and donate money to help the victims of the tornadoes. Friends of the Pelletier Family whose life was turned upside down a few weeks ago from tornadoes set up one of these accounts, and it was very successful. ANY amount is appreciated and we will distribute it among all three farms. I understand everyone is probably stretched thin these days, but ANY amount–even a few dollars add up and make a difference! Please share this link with everyone! http://tornadohorsevictims.chipin.com/tornado-victims-in-the-horse-industry.

I’m trying to raise a minimum of $7,500 so we can give each family at least $2500 each! Donate any money you can. If you would like to designate the money to a particular family–we will make sure the money gets to a particular family. Either email me at [email protected] and let me know where you would like your money to go or you an also add a note to your donation on the Chip In site. Otherwise, the money will be split among the three farms.

Thanks everyone!!

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Click here to donate money that will be split among the victims of the tornadoes!

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MORE NEWS: 5W RANCH

UPDATE: 5/2/11

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Clarice Cooper has informed GoHorseShow that the 5W Ranch is in a huge battle with the insurance company with regards to getting the money to rebuild her farm. Also, at first, this area of Alabama was not declared a disaster area, but yesterday it was just designated– so hopefully they will be getting help from FEMA. It will be a long process to rebuild her barn and the homes demolished. They still have no power or water. Cooper now has 16 of Donna’s horses at her farm in Georgia. Clarice has provided a list of clothes below needed to help Donna, her secretary Rita, and the barn helper, David. Clarice also wants to stress that this will be a long process so even winter clothes will probably be needed since they have lost everything.

Donna (Owner of 5W):

Size 8/10 Jeans and pants

Large tops to wear at the barn (L)

8 1/2 wide or 9 size work boots and tennis shoes.

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Rita (Donna’s secretary who lost her home on the farm):

She needs office clothes-slacks and pants for her office job

Pants Size 16

Shirt size-1x

David (Barn helper):

Medium Shirts

32 inch waist pants

9 1/2 Work boots

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5/2/11: Here is an article written by Marion Brakefield about what type of person Donna Preskitt is that Clarice Cooper wanted to share with everyone:

Donna Preskitt has been caring for both man and beast here for many years. Many of her helpers in the years before the treadmill were those with no home or job, alcoholics she helped to become sober and productive citizens, or troubled teens who needed love and example. She has always shared what she has with those who had less. She built her beautiful farm one nickel at a time, and after years of study and planning, finally succeeded in fulfilling a lifetime dream of having an underwater treadmill that could rehabilitate, fit, and condition a horse in a way that no other could. She has proven this many times over, having worked with some of the most successful horses and vets in the country.

That depth of the treadmill saved the lives of 8 people and countless precious pets as the barn blew down around them. A severe thunderstorm followed, yet Donna and a couple of her helpers risked their own lives to pull concrete blocks and metal roofing from on top of her customer`s trapped horses. My horse was one of those. The farm veterinarian, Dr. Scott Owens of Southern Equine Services in Columbiana, Alabama, was already on his way. Thanks to their efforts, only two horses died in the collapse, both hers. One horse was killed instantly. The other was her favorite, a beautiful colt out of my stallion, Malibu Ken, who died two years ago. Kenny always lived with Donna, and she was the major player in the three World Championship titles that he won. Her colt she called Willie severely injured himself after the collapse and had to be put down. He heard Donna`s voice and was trying to get to her as she was working with the other horses. A third horse of hers died in the pasture. No customer`s horse was lost and medical attention was immediate. This is not just dedication. It is love, for she considers them all her “children”.

These pictures show the calm after the storm. So many have come to help, and they have done so much, as thousands more are doing in other locations. Each pair of hands is a blessing, each rescue squad person, Red Cross volunteer, sack lunch, bottle of water, and roll of tissue. Pastures where the horses are happily grazing are clear of debris now and the fences around them are secure. Even though there is no water and no power, the horses lack for nothing. The neighboring city of Anniston brings in 500 gallons of fresh water daily.The barn has been emptied of what was left. It has been declared unstable and must come down, but the treadmill will be protected and saved. The barn is where Donna lives also. Her dream is not dead.

Please pray for Donna as she deals with all that she faces. She asked to pray with me today as she was headed to talk with her insurance agent on the premises. She wanted God`s help and guidance to do this. Insurance will cover what makes a house a home, but not a barn a business, or a field a pasture. Donna has survived many things due to her strength in the Lord, and she will this, too. She shares this faith with her helpers through daily pre dawn devotionals, living and teaching them of Jesus`s love. She loves to say “My joy comes with the morning!”.

God protected Donna`s outside animals as well: the little pony that belongs to the children, the swallows that nest there, the pot bellied pig, the ducks, and Fred and Ethel the rooster and hen ——– and their eggs, for God intends for life to go on. For out of the rubble will come new life for all of us. Tragedy changes people on both sides of the fence. There is a renewed spirit of love everywhere now. The storms remind us that God put each of us on this earth not to benefit ourselves, but rather to help our fellow man. We are never taller in God`s eyes than when we are on our knees, and this is where we need to be now. We must bring Him back to where He has been forced out, or our country and our world will be lost forever. May God bless America and the wonderful people who live here! THANK YOU for what you are doing!

Marion Brakefield

4/28/11

5W Ranch near Tuscaloosa, Alabama has been completely destroyed. They need clothes, grain, hay, and monetary donations. GoHorseShow.com has learned that leading breeder Clarice Cooper has taken ten of the owner, Donna Preskitt’s, horses and Clarice says the owner is in dire need of help. 

According to Cooper, two horses died, and six are currently at a vet clinic. Clarice is also planning on selling some of Donna’s horses to help her support herself while they rebuild. They currently have no electricity or water. Donna ran an underwater treadmill operation where she was involved with rehabbing, conditioning and building strength in our equine friends. Jan Shepherd Pittman’s mare, Ona Good Impulse, was one horse that was helped by Donna.

Note sent to GoHorseShow by Lori Grossnickle on 4/29:

Katie and I also had a horse at Donna’s. Our 2 yr.old.-Alwaysshootinblanks aka Shooter was injured and is currently at the Columbiana Equine Clinic. He had several lacerations that have been sutured and his legs were swollen. Currently he is on the mend and in no danger. We can only be so thankful to Donna and her staff for their quick assessment and care of Shooter. Donna is an amazing person and her love of all the horses in her care comes first and foremost in her life as was evidenced by the fact that only 2 horses lost their lives amid all the destruction. I might also add that the 2 horses that died, one was Donna’s stud and the other was her business manager, Rita’s horse. Again a tribute to Donna that her customers come first. I wish I was closer and could jump in and help her in her recovery and rebuilding.

I can only reiterate Clarice Cooper’s requests for help. If anyone can do anything, even if it seems minor, Donna and her staff would be so grateful.

Thanks, Lori

GoHorseShow.com will provide more detailed lists of items that Donna needs as well as pictures of the horses that Clarice will be selling to help the owner rebuild. You can also donate money to the address below.

TORNADO VICTIMS 5W RANCH
c/o First National Bank of Talledega
PO Box 797
Talledega, AL 35160

All donated items should be sent to:
Marion Brakesfield C/O: 5W Ranch
685 Eastaboga Rd.
Talladega, Alabama
35160

ELLIS FAMILY of Cleveland, Tennessee

05/01/2011: Note from Jennifer McGrath who recently visited the Ellis Family at their farm:

We traveled to Cleveland, Tennessee today to lend a hand to the Ellis family. The destruction was unbelievable! They lost their home, every fence on the property, the roof of their barn, totaled 3 vehicles, put their horse trailer on its side and destroyed both David’s office and Cheri’s photography studio. The family was in their storm shelter and are lucky to be alive. They are staying in their motorhome that only received minor damage to the roof and windshield. At this time it would be difficult to take items to the family because they do not have anywhere to put anything. The Tennessee Quarter Horse Association would like to request gift cards for the family so they can buy items as they need them. Please bring them to the Lucky 7 Horse Show in Murfreesboro, Tennessee May 5-8. (pictured above is what is left of their home)

Jennifer McGrath will be collecting and delivering the cards. Please write your name on the cards so the Ellis family knows who they are from. You may also send them in the mail to Jennifer McGrath, 8080 Lebanon Road, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.

You can also donate money for them on the ChipIn site or send them well wishes and monetary donations to their address at : 

David & Cheri Ellis

316 Old Parksville Rd

Cleveland, TN 37323

423 339 3636