| By JOSEPH FITZGERALD GLOCESTER — Hundreds of wellwishers packed the grounds of Bonniedale Farm Saturday for a fundraising event to help farm owner Dan MacKenzie buy his Snake Hill Road animal sanctuary back from the bank. MacKenzie and his girlfriend, Joanne, are still at a loss for words at the number of people who have come to the farm’s aid over the past several months. Even in an economy where people are losing jobs and homes, MacKenzie says there has been a huge outpouring of concern for the future of the farm, a 7.5-acre sanctuary that more than 100 abused, neglected and discarded animals call home.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people I met Saturday who lost their jobs and homes, but still wanted to help and donate $5 or $10,” says MacKenzie. “The generosity and kindness of the people who have come out to help amazes me. I can’t thank these people enough.”
Saturday’s fundraising event, which included a good old-fashioned barbecue and live country & western music, raised more than $3,000 and was sponsored by Rhode Island Country Horizons and The Friends of Bonniedale Farm, a group of business professionals and animal rescue volunteers who are helping MacKenzie in his fight to keep the animal sanctuary and continue his mission of taking in unwanted animals that would otherwise be destroyed.
“The misconception is that the bank foreclosed on the farm,” he says. “That’s not accurate. What happened is the bank took back the note and now I’m in the position where I have to buy the farm back from the bank.”
MacKenzie bought the farm, located at 1007 Snake Hill Road on the Glocester/North Scituate line, eight years ago. MacKenzie says the original bank he had the mortgage with changed hands and that a second, and subsequently, third bank became involved with claims that MacKenzie had defaulted on payments in the past, which he says is not true.
The entire affair has become one giant legal hassle with lawyers involved on both sides.
“The upshot is that I lost my original downpayment and the latest bank has called the note in,” he says.
MacKenzie now has until May 12 to raise the money he needs to buy the farm back from the bank.
“We’re half way there,” he says.
The farm, which is not a commercial farm, is home to llamas, goats, pigs, horses, ducks, chickens, turkeys, dogs and cats, all of whom were either abandoned or abused. Some were dropped off in the middle of the night. Some were rescued from lives of physical abuse. Still others were rejected by their families because they acquired a new, younger version.
MacKenzie, who grew up in Massachusetts, says the animals are guaranteed not only food, shelter, medical care and safety, but “love, enrichment and respect.” Over the years Dan and Joanne have welcomed school students, nursing home residents, group home residents and individuals with special needs.
The farm is funded solely by MacKenzie. Funds for the care of the animals are raised by sales from the tack shop, hay, shavings and grain as well as from boarding of horses.
But MacKenzie says that while the farm remains in the hands of the bank he is unable to board horses and that most of his clients have moved their horses out because of the legal situation.
“I’m caught in a Catch-22 situation,” he says. “I need the funds from boarding the horses to help buy back the farm, but I can’t do that because the bank has the note.”
Supporters of the farm say that if the farm is forced to close the animals might end up in the slaughterhouse or euthanized.
MacKenzie says he is working to get an extension to the May 12 deadline.
Anyone wishing to donate, can send a check payable to Save Bonniedale Farm Fund to Citizens Bank, Save Bonniedale Farm Fund, 639 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02826.
Donations can also be made via PayPal at the farm’s Web site at www.bonniedalefarm.org. |
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