I written before about the Fans of Barbaro, the remarkable on line group who rallied around Alex Brown's web site to support their equine hero while he was at New Bolton Center for eight months. They are the ones who sent baskets of goodies to everyone involved with his care. They gave Barbaro a beautiful blanket and halter. They made sure the Christmas tree in the lobby of the large animal hospital was decorated in Lael Stable colors. They sent flowers, apples, peppermints, cards, and substantial checks for both the laminitis research and the Barbaro Fund.
What was truly remarkable is that none of these fans of Barbaro had ever met each other in person until last April when they rallied, some 600 strong, at Delaware Park, to celebrate what would have been Barbaro's actual 4th birthday. And once again, they raised money for laminitis research, auctioning off many horse related items at their fundraiser the night before.
And as we approach the anniversary tomorrow of Barbaro's death, they are once again contributing to the laminitis research fund at Penn, to help find a cure for the disease that claimed the object of their affection. Today, two Fans of Barbaro will make a quiet check presentation to Dr. Corinne Sweeney, Associate Dean for New Bolton Center and Executive Hospital Director and Dr. Dean Richardson in honor of Barbaro. The check amount is rumored to be over $7500.00, all raised from the Fans of Barbaro. This is the group that also quietly urges its members to contribute $29 the 29th of each month in honor of the day on which Barbaro died.
They are remarkable, dedicated, passionate, loving people who were drawn to Barbaro for different reasons, but primarily because he represented courage, grace under pressure and a desire to live and continue to please those who cared about and for him.
Hats off to you, Fans of Barbaro. Margaret Mead said it best: "Never doubt that a small number of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has."
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18 comments:
Nice post. Thank you.
Thanks for reading. I meant every word.
Kit
Kathryn,
Thanks so much for the nice article about the FOB's. I'm proud to say that I'm one of them.
I also wanted to mention that we are all working tirelessly on the Anti-Slaughter Horse Bills (S.311 & H.R.503). We won't stop until they pass!!
Kathy J.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Thank you again for your good words!
Thank You for the nice uplifting words and the quote by Margaret Mead. We (FOB's) especially need that today -- for Barbaro, HS & The Laminitis that took Barbaro's life.
Love & Prayers,
Cheryl G
Thank you so much for being a part of the memory of Barbaro. It is a wonderful group of caring people.
While we no longer have Barbaro on the Earthly plane, his spirit lives on in the good works being done in his name.
Kathy K
Thank you so much. I think we are quite a group. We have endless compassion, and we have put our money where our mouths are. The people here are AMAZING.
Again, thank you for the kind words.
Thank you so much for writing about Barbaro and the FOBs who have accomplished so much in his honor. I'm proud and thankful to part of this wonderful group of people.
Thank you for your kind words, Kathryn. JOIN US...BE AN FOB! We would love you count you as on of the Frens. We are privileged to continue to work for the sake of BARBARO's legacy. So much good is being done, all because of the Love that still surrounds our Beloved Champion.
Your FOB Fren, Otherlyn
Thank you for your kind words, Kathryn. JOIN US...BE AN FOB! We would love to count you as one of the Frens. We are privileged to continue to work for the sake of BARBARO's legacy. So much good is being done, all because of the Love that still surrounds our Beloved Champion.
Your FOB Fren, Otherlyn
Thank you. It is a wonderful group that I am proud to be a part of.
Thank you for your article. There most certainly is something about Barbaro that reaches many on a level that his hart to describe. Great things are happening because of Barbaro, and will continue. It's amazing that the catalyst to all these great things is a horse whose time on this earth was short but who reached so many in that time. It's also amazing the lessons that have been learned about strength, will and endurance from this one noble horse. Thank you for remembering him on this anniversary of his passing
CherylJ
Lakewood, CO
Kit,
You are one gal who truly 'gets it' and ain't too proud to show it. I appreciate your article and your attitude. You make all of us FOB's so happy. You show us in a favorable light, instead of the typical strange housebound cat lady folks we usually get taken for-(lol)
We believe in Barbaro
We believe in stopping slaughter
We believe in stopping laminitis
We believe in Kathryn Feldman
Thank you, kind lady.
Your friend and FOB
Dora J Crow of Montgomery, AL
Dear Kit - I'm proud to be an FOB as well. Thanks for your insight to portray us as we are. I am kvelling mit nachas over your attitude and aptitude and altitude and ability to reach the multitude! Please urge your readers to join the fight against horse slaughter and export for slaughter, by urging swift passage of HR 503 and S 311. That's what Gretchen Jackson asked us to do in honor of Barbaro. A good place to find info what to do is the cyberhome of the FOBs which is
http://www.alexbrownracing.com
Caroline Jaffe http://www.mythicfigs.org
Kathryn,
Thank you for such a nice post, and for recognizing that a group of individuals rallied around the wonder of Barbaro and have become The Barbaro Nation. In addition to DelPark, on Barbaro's birthday last year we also had celebrations across the country. 29 FOBs gathered in Florida meeting for the first time! The wonder of meeting a fellow FOB for the first time is awesome! We're all on the same page -- and able to cry at will ;)
thank you so much for this--the FOB's and Alex are quite a group and I am proud to be a contributing FOB.......we will never forget Barbaro
Thanks you all for all of your kind words. I am truly a fan of the FOBs though for the sake of journalistic objectivity, I have to admire from afar!
Kit
Excellent article.
I am so glad I found your blog. I will be a frequent visitor for sure.
The "Barbaro Effect" is a powerful energy that is continually being fueled by those of us who love him.
Jo
Love your blog...thank you for all the wonderful things you've posted about the FOB's.
I was at New Bolton on Monday to present one of the checks and yes, it was a quiet day. But it was also a perfect day and one that I will treasure for a long time.
Healing,Love, Peace
ONS
Padme (Lyn Gilbert)
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