Mary Paolini Fischer Fund Established at PCF
(Auburn, Calif.) – Placer Community Foundation (PCF) and its donors have supported a number of worthwhile organizations in the community over the years, including several animal and wildlife nonprofits, but because of donor Mary Paolini Fischer and her passion for horses, PCF gifted its first-ever horse welfare grant of $10,000 to Horses’ Honor in her memory.
“We are very grateful. This is going to do so much,” said Niña Thompson, Horses’ Honor owner. “It’s a powerful gift and we will utilize every penny.” Thompson explained that when they rescue horses, they rescue horses for life and only take on senior horses over the age of 20, as they are the most at-risk. “Every horse here has a story,” she added. “We have horses that were in the kill shelters but were too skinny for slaughter.”
Like Thompson, Fischer was passionate about saving animals. She volunteered at a large cat rescue operation and also rescued injured horses with a friend. Before she passed following a courageous battle with cancer, she made provisions in her trust to establish the Mary Paolini Fischer Fund at PCF. The fund ensures her goodwill and love of animals will live on forever. The fund has helped rescue hundreds of orphaned kittens and now it will help rescue horses, too.
Thompson and her crew of volunteers have received horses in the most dire of health conditions but they nurse them back to health and give them the honor and life that they deserve. There are currently 21 rescue horses in her care and two additional rescue horses are arriving this Saturday. Her oldest horse is 40 years old and going strong.
“We were impressed with the magnitude of care provided to the horses,” explained Jessica Hubbard, PCF Philanthropic Services Manager. “Mary helped rescue horses at another nonprofit that aligns with the values of Horses’ Honor.”
PCF specializes in carrying out donor intention and creating lasting legacies, and in Fischer’s case, her legacy lives on by helping animals in need. The $10,000 gift to Horses’ Honor will help ensure all the rescue horses continue to receive the nourishment they need, veterinary services and vaccines, dental care, farrier services, and more.
About Placer Community Foundation
Placer Community Foundation grows local giving to strengthen community by connecting donors who care with causes that matter. Known for sound financial management and knowledge of the nonprofit sector, PCF continually monitors the region to better understand the nature of local needs, so that it can invest in areas such as arts and culture, education, health and human services, and the environment. PCF provides regular trainings and technical assistance for the many local nonprofits that are experiencing growing public demand for programs and services. To learn more about establishing charitable funds, visit placercf.org, or call 530-885-4920.
About Horses’ Honor
Horses’ Honor is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting horses in need. It provides sanctuary in a safe, natural environment to horses that would otherwise face likely slaughter or unnecessary euthanasia. Since 1999, Horses’ Honor has been a sanctuary for horses rescued from neglect, abuse, or shipment to slaughter. The horses are at home on 83 beautiful acres in the Sierra Foothills near Lincoln CA, an absolute paradise for horses with irrigated and seasonal pastures, huge trees, barn, arena, pond and ample hay storage. To learn more about Horses’ Honor, visit horseshonor.org, or call 530-305-9678.
