Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It’s that time of year again, when I come pleading for your help on behalf of the horses.
The 4th Annual Horses Helping Horses event is just around the corner. As many of you know, Flashpoint, in conjunction with Bob Bell and The Classic Company, hosts this charity affair during the Atlanta Summer Classics at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, with proceeds going to Old Friends, a non-profit Thoroughbred Retirement Facility based in Kentucky. This year the “HHH” events will take place during the second weekend of the Classics, on June 27th and 28th. So far, the program has been enormously successful, raising over $30,000 in just three years — a success due largely to your generosity.
At Flashpoint, we feel so keenly about the work of Old Friends, which is now home to 40 retired ex racehorses! Since last year we’ve expanded our pursuit of donations beyond the equestrian community. Our goal remains to help this event continue growing and to raise new avenues of support. For those of you unfamiliar with Old Friends and their unique mission please visit their web site at www.oldfriendsequine.com.
Donations can come in many forms, such as cash contributions, sponsorship participation of the Grand Prix or the special Old Friends Trainers Medal (some packages are still available), or items for our exciting Silent Auction, which will take place on June 27th during the Outback Charity dinner under the covered arena on the Conyers show grounds. For those interested in providing items for the auction, let me say that we have learned a few lessons over the years, such as no item is too small or too large or too unique. This event draws an eclectic group and they love to shop! Tack, saddle pads, grooming equipment, books, artwork, jewelry, clothing, home décor items, dog and cat accessories, posters, DVDs, fun barn stuff, gift certificates, and racing memorabilia have all sold well in the past. Again, this year we’re focusing on expanding the auction since 100% of these proceeds go directly to Old Friends. Keep in mind, also, that having items in the auction offers great exposure for products or companies.
And, of course, your donations are all tax deductible.
I hope that I can also encourage all of you to attend the event. We will have a surprise guest attending this year’s event and “he” is guaranteed to capture the audience’s attention and hearts! Outback Steakhouse will once again be hosting a dinner for upwards of 400 guests to enjoy ringside during the always amusing Trainers Medal Classic AKA “Riding with Old Friends” event and of course the wonderful shopping at our Silent Auction. All proceeds from ticket sales will also go directly to Old Friends (for tickets, see contacts listed below). And don’t miss the $25,000 Horses Helping Horses Grand Prix on Saturday evening in the Olympic Arena at 7:00PM!
I hope you will consider being a part of this special weekend in any way that you feel comfortable with. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at 859-734-3713 and don’t hesitate to pass this info around to others you feel would like to participate. On behalf of the horses, “Thank you” for all the kindness and support!
Robbi Meisel, Greg Meisel, and Cindy Grisolia
Flashpoint Media Services
robbi@flashpointmediaservices.com
cindy@flashpointmediaservices.com
Newsroom Associate
Staff Writer
support@horsesinthesouth.com