(Edited press release)
Kentucky’s at-risk horses are set to receive a gift from the Keeneland Foundation and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in the form of a $20,000 grant to the Kentucky Equine Humane Center.
Located on a 72-acre farm near Lexington, the KyEHC was established with the specific goal of providing owners with a humane option when they need to give up their horses.
As part of the annual celebration of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, the Keeneland Foundation and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky select a charitable organization they collectively feel is worthy of support, is doing good work, and where a joint donation could significantly help address a particular project or need.
Fran Taylor, executive director of the Keeneland Foundation said, “We recommended KyEHC after talking to Toyota and finding out that they were interested in pursuing a partnership related to an equine charity. The fact KyEHC had identified a true need in Kentucky and were actively and successfully addressing that need was impressive to both Keeneland and Toyota.”
“Community partnerships are very important to Toyota,” said Nila Wells, community relations specialist for Toyota. “It seemed a perfect fit for Toyota to team up with Keeneland to support the KyEHC in its work to advocate the humane treatment of all equine.”
Staci Hancock, president and a founder of the KyEHC said, “This month we’re celebrating our one-year anniversary of assisting the horses of Kentucky, so this exceptional grant from Keeneland and Toyota is a timely gift. To have the support of two of Kentucky’s most prominent, philanthropic businesses is a great encouragement to us, but most important, it will allow us to assist many more horses who are currently in need of safe refuge. We are deeply grateful for their decision to come alongside us.”
For more information on the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, visit www.kyehc.org.
