The first 24 hours are crucial when you’re nursing an emaciated horse back to health, says Tammy Barnett, co-owner of the Horse Shoe Equine Rescue. That’s why she’s spent entire nights outside, in the freezing cold, monitoring and slowly feeding the neglected animals. Now, thanks to volunteers including members of Terre Haute, Ind., Local 725, those nights are over.
|
| Members of Terre Haute, Ind., Local 725 help a local animal rescue wire its new barn. Pictured: Bob Mickelson, left, Travis Beckley and his son Jaxson and Will Penrod. Photo credit: Horse Shoe Equine Rescue
|
The rescue, located just outside Terre Haute, recently experienced an uptick in the number of animals in need – it takes in all kinds. It also runs on donations of time and money. So, with a grant from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, Tammy and her husband and co-owner, Ron, were able to afford a new pole barn with power, which Local 725 members installed for free.
“We couldn’t have gotten the barn without them,” she said. “They’ve been a blessing.”
When the local got the call to help, members of the Reach Out and Engage Next-gen Electrical Workers chapter stepped up. RENEW is the IBEW’s initiative to encourage young workers to get involved with their local unions. Along with its counterpart in Canada, it comprises the RENEW/NextGen initiative.
“I thought it was a great opportunity, especially for our younger apprentices,” said Will Penrod, Local 725’s RENEW Chair. “They worked on switches and receptacles, and even a little motor work, while also helping the community and pushing back on that anti-union stigma.”
Local 725 members have helped animal shelters before, usually just installing new lights. But the Barnetts needed something different, said organizer Shawn Stewart. Fortunately for the animal-loving couple, Stewart had recently built his own barn.
“Shawn had already gone through a lot of the trial and error, so we benefited from that,” Tammy Barnett said.
About five members,
including Stewart, have been volunteering their Saturdays to wire the new
facility that will house the horses, hay and a tack room, where saddles and
other equipment are kept. Some have even brought their kids with them,
encouraged by Ron Barnett, to play with the animals.
“It can be hard to get away when you’ve got children, so being able to bring them was a real help,” Stewart said. “And Ron was great with them. One time, we even all went out for pizza afterward.”
The team has installed about 26 LED lights and a panel so far. Once more of the barn is built, they’ll install overhead heaters and fans in the horse stalls and do the outdoor lighting. Supplies were donated by signatory contractor Crown Electric and others, Stewart said. They expect to finish sometime this summer.
“It’s good for us to give back, and this is such a unique facility,” Stewart said. “A lot of people don’t know about us, and this is a good way to show that we’re part of the community.”
In addition to horses, the rescue, which opened around 2011, has taken in pigs, goats, donkeys and alpacas. When the weather permits, the Barnetts open the ranch to visits from the public, including developmentally disabled adults and children, to interact with the animals. Some of the adults help with cleaning and feeding. For many though, the animals provide some fun and even therapy. With the new facility, the Barnetts say they will be able to stay open year-round.
“We’re just thrilled with everything they’ve done for us,” Tammy Barnett said.