As the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on all we’ve accomplished in 2019. It has been a busy year with two law enforcement training meetings, the annual Andee Rogers Memorial Poker Ride in the Spring and the Rescue Challenge in the Fall. We also placed a record number of horses in forever homes this year. I am pleased and grateful for all the wonderful volunteers and supporters that helped make all these things happen.
Several changes have recently occurred on the GERL Board of Directors and will be effective January 1, 2020. Our current Vice-President, Tamma Trump, who has given GERL 4 years of her life, has decided to follow a dream and move to Tennessee, along with her sister and brother-in-law. I want to thank Tamma from the bottom of my heart for the sacrifices that she has made by filling the lead position of the annual Rescue Challenge event for the 6 years it has existed. She has done a marvelous job of growing this event every year, making it better. Tamma has also been a wonderful confidant to me as Vice President and I will miss her! GERL wishes the best for Tamma as she starts a new chapter with her horses and family.
Cynthia Anderson, our current GERL Secretary, will take Tamma’s place as Vice President. She also has taken over the responsibility of orchestrating the law enforcement training meetings that we host, annually. Cynthia recently retired from her job as Biology Professor and GERL has gained a gem! She also serves as an Area Coordinator for Baldwin and Putnam counties.
Cynthia’s position as GERL Secretary will be filled by our long-time Auction Coordinator and Area Coordinator, Sue Wrensen. Sue recently retired from her full-time job as a teacher in Cherokee county and we are very grateful that she has agreed to step in and fill this important position for GERL.
CeCe Calli has graciously agreed to take the Lead on the Rescue Challenge. She has her work cut out for her since we’ll be moving the event to a new venue in 2021. In addition, CeCe will continue to hold the positions as Foster and Adoption Coordinator as she has done for many years, as well as serving as the Area Coordinator for Hart, Franklin and Elbert counties.
Jacki Moore recently volunteered to be our Flea Market Coordinator. I’m pinching myself because I don’t have to handle this job, anymore! Jacki likes to clean tack and what a difference she has made to our ability to move the used tack that is donated to GERL. Thank you, Jacki!
I hope that you will join me in thanking each of our Board members and other volunteers for the many hats that they wear for GERL, not to mention their dedication and sacrifices! I think they are AWESOME!
Of course, I have already started thinking about our goals for 2020. I see a shift coming in the amount of support that we’ve been providing to the Georgia Department of Agriculture Equine Division. I believe in the future we are going to be lending more support to law enforcement and county animal control agencies in lieu of the GDA. The reason for this is because the GDA is picking up fewer horses, which is forcing the counties to take a more active role in equine abuse and neglect.
We furnished two equine holding facilities this year at the cost of approximately $3,000 each. The shelters typically consist of a metal carport and panels. We currently have two additional counties that have called to inquire about a shelter for their facility. As a matter of fact, GERL has furnished more shelters and had more inquiries about shelters in the last two years than the past 9 years that we have offered them And, let me say this about that, GERL is happy to provide these shelters if the counties are willing to prosecute the neglectors and abusers. 2020 is going to be full of changes. Hang on for the ride!
