25 Jul OMRH Receives 2017 Grant from TCA

Our Mims Retirement Haven in Paris, KY, was recently rewarded a grant from the Thoroughbred Charities of America. TCA granted $462,139 to 71 Thoroughbred industry-related non-profits that work to uphold TCA’s mission for 2017. Our Mims Retirement Haven applied for rewiring and painting of their small barn.

“With the arrival of Kidnap Katie last year,” explained Cheryl Bellucci, Director of Fund Raising and Promotion for OMRH, “we have started using the small barn again for her and another companion horse with her. The wiring in the barn needed updating and the outside painted. We had similar work done in the main barn with a grant from TCA in 2014.”

Jeanne Mirabito, Haven Founder and President, remarked: “Everything we do at OMRH is for the safety and well being of our horses. The TCA has been instrumental in improvements to our facility. We are grateful and honored for their support.”

Board Member Laura Fallis added, “Having the support of the TCA is a wonderful recognition of the work we do here at OMRH. Their assistance directly helps improve the lives of The Ladies and Gentlemen in our care.”

TCA’s mission is to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers, by supporting qualified repurposing and retirement organizations and by helping the people who care for them. TCA distributes grants to several categories of Thoroughbred-related nonprofits including rehabilitation, retraining, rehoming and retirement organizations; backstretch and farm employee programs; equine-assisted therapy programs; and research organizations. Since its inception in 1990, TCA has granted over $22 million to more than 200 charities. From 2000-2016, more than 95% of TCA’s expenditures were allocated to program services including direct grants. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).

Last October, Kidnap Katie (from the Mercer County seizure) joined Blue Viking, Trail Guide, Missy White Oak, Dogwood Patty, Exciting Bucket, Braggin Rights, and Play Book at the Haven. Elmhurst, Our Mims’ grandson and 1997 Breeders’ Cup™ Sprint winner, arrived in October of 2011. Jo Jo’s Gypsy was adopted into the Haven in 2014 by special circumstances; she is much younger than 20 years old, but she came to the Haven extremely emaciated (also as a result of a horse seizure). Jeanne’s granddaughter, Kaylee Brooke, was instrumental in the recovery of the sick mare. The horse and child now act as ambassadors for the Haven in local horse shows and events.

OMRH became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2006. Featured in Barbara Livingston’s More Old Friends, the Haven specializes in “restoring health and spirit in aged mares.” The Haven is supported through donations, eBay auctions, and its online shop.

Our Mims Retirement Haven is accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council.

OMRH Web Site: http://www.OurMims.org
Press Releases: http://www.OurMims.org/news/

Jeanne Mirabito: (859) 227-6304
Farm Manager, President
jeanne@ourmims.org

Cheryl Bellucci: (937) 776-1904
Director of Fund Raising and Promotion
cheryl@ourmims.org

Jeanne Mirabito (left) with Kidnap Katie and Kaylee Brooke