Haircuts for horses
Toolbox
By Brent Curtis Staff Writer - Published: October 8, 2009
Heidi Olson-Hilder is hoping haircuts will help horses who need help in North Clarendon.
The Rutland hairdresser will put her scissors to good use Friday when Avanti, the salon she works at on Center Street, will host an all-day "cut-a-thon" to raise money for Spring Hill Horse Rescue.
Olson-Hilder, who keeps a coin-can for the rescue on her cutting table, said she's been trying to help the group ever since one of the stable's nonallergenic horses helped her fulfill a longstanding wish.
"I'm deathly allergic to horses, but I've always dreamed of riding them," she said.
The rescued horse she rides has granted her wish. Now, she's trying to give back to the shelter that takes in equines from a wide range of venues and backgrounds and either permanently cares for them or tries to find them new homes.
It's an expensive undertaking, according to the rescue's director, Gina Brown.
"It's about $40,000 a year to provide feed and medical care under normal conditions," she said describing the needs of her 23-member herd. "If a horse has suffered cruelty or has medical needs it costs more."
This winter, Brown is worrying about more than just the medical needs of her horses. Her 15-year-old daughter, Zoey, was recently diagnosed with leukemia and Brown said she's grateful for the fundraiser.
"If I know I'll have money through the fundraiser to pay for hay, I can focus on Zoey and getting her well," she said.
Brown said all the money raised by the cut-a-thon would go toward the horses. The nonprofit rescue is supported primarily by donations, she said, along with a small amount of grant funding.
The cut-a-thon will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday with Olson-Hilder donating all the proceeds from her haircuts. Other hairdressers at the salon will donate portions of their day to the fundraiser, she said, with a minimum donation of $20 per customer.
In addition to the haircuts, interested donors can buy raffle tickets for gift certificates from local businesses. The raffle will be drawn during an event at Pub 42 on Wales Street from 6 to 8 p.m. which will include live music.
brent.curtis@rutlandherald.com
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