Hi Everyone!  I am new to Care 2's site.  My husband and I opened Cracker Box Palace - Farm Animal Shelter back in 2000 (actually, we started back in 1997, but it took a long time to research, visit other shelters, including Farm Sanctuary, a few Humane Societies, Days End Horse Rescue and several other private shelters to find out how to do this).  We take in abused, abandoned, neglected and retired farm animals.  When we opened the first year, we started with 30 critters, now we have over 160! 

We opened with the idea that anyone could come out and help with the animals.  The song Cracker Box Palace was our theme.  Our animals have been great teachers, healers and guides to so many people, (they are a pretty amazing bunch).  And we always hope people walk away with a new understanding of the farm animals, horses and any compassion for not just the animals, but of a farm, the environment , other people and how precious the open spaces of our world are and how they're shrinking all the time. 

We moved to Alasa Farms back in 2004 as we just plain outgrew our other farm!  Alasa Farms is this beautiful, old, historic Shaker Farm that has several barns, houses and 680 acres of pastures, fruit trees, row crops, forests, creeks, trails and a wonderful community that supports our efforts.  And it all overlooks Sodus Bay.  Its the perfect place for the critters! 

This past February we had a fire in the Main Shaker House.  And although it was tragic, we were very fortunate that no one was hurt and it did not spread to the barns.  But the damage to the old Shaker Dwelling has taken its toll on us all.  We are now in the process of trying to save the house with several historical groups, and trying to preserve the farm.  It is our wish that Cracker Box could own the farm and leave it a farm forever.  So our latest mission has been to raise an endowment fund to support the farm for the future, buy the farm or at least get it in trust and save the buildings on the farm now.  If we can, we hope to add some of them back that have fallen in and add an indoor arena and some more barns and pastures for critters in the future.  Its a huge undertaking for us.... but its so worth while! 

So I'm adding to sites to try to get the word out and find as much support as we can.  You can see us on My Space under my name, Face Book too.  Or just check out our web site at www.crackerboxpalace.org.  Of course a rich billionaire philanthropist that loves farm animals would be our heart's desire, but we also would love ideas, prayers, expert advise, expert services, or just plain good wishes and karma sent our way! 

Thanks for any help!

Sincerely,

Cheri Roloson, Farm Manager and all the critters of Cracker Box!