From Our Mims Retirement Haven
Our Mims Retirement Haven, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the care of retired Thoroughbred broodmares, has launched a building fund for a barn renovation.
Since the arrival of California graded-stakes winner Bel's Starlet, living space has been cramped for the residents at the Paris, Ky.-based farm.
Supporters can go to www.shop.ourmims.org and click on the building-fund link. For $50, donors can purchase a 4-inch by 8-inch tile with up to three lines engraved. The tiles will be constructed into a donor wall that will be displayed outside the renovated barn.
The names of all donors purchasing a tile will be placed into a drawing for a framed and matted print of Haven resident 1985 California broodmare of the year Iza Valentine, dam of Fran's Valentine. The print was completed and donated by Canadian artist Michelle Gagnon.
In addition to purchasing tiles, supporters can also bid on the "Haven's Mares-terpieces" on eBay. Mares-terpieces are paintings completed by Haven broodmares using non-toxic watercolors. The 3-inch by 6-inch Mares-terpieces are finished in a simple wooden frame.
Each of the building fund Mares-terpieces come with a lock of mane or tail hair and a letter of authenticity signed by farm owner Jeanne Mirabito. The Haven is auctioning the paintings on eBay under the name ourmims-org.
