Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation Awards Grant to Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines

Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation grant recipient for 2007. Ryerss Farm has been caring for aged, abused and neglected equines for more than 119 years. It is the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the United States. The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is committed to making life more bearable for children, families and pets, in need of a helping paw.

Pottstown, PA (PRWEB) December 18, 2007 -- Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation grant recipient for 2007. As a non-profit, charitable organization that receives no public funds, Ryerss Farm relies on a small trust and the generosity of animal enthusiasts to help cover the costs of the horses' care. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations like the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation, Ryerss is able to continue in its 119-year mission to provide a peaceful, welcome retirement home for the many horses that have provided so many years of faithful service and enjoyment to their owners.

Ryerss Farm has been caring for aged, abused and neglected equines for more than 119 years. It is the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the United States. Today in the picturesque landscape of Northern Chester County, Pennsylvania, Ryerss currently has over 70 retired horses. Once a horse is retired to Ryerss it is never ridden or worked again. On average, it costs the farm $15 a day or $5,475 a year to care for and feed one horse. If a horse has special needs such as special shoeing, or medicines the amount increases. All horses, ages 20-24, are admitted by a one-time donation of $5,000. All horses 25 years and older require a one-time donation of $4,500. As the admittance donation does not cover even one full year of care, donations like those from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation are vital to Ryerss' continued mission.

"It is the help of caring organizations like the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation that makes Ryerss work for aged or abused horses possible," stated Joseph Donahue, president of Ryerss Farm. "Ryerss is greatly appreciative of this help," added Donahue.

All funds received go directly to care for all of Ryerss residents living out their golden years in peaceful retirement. For more in-depth information and directions to Ryerss, please visit us online at www.ryerss.org. (Ryerss Farm for Aged and Abused Equines is a federally tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) charitable organization.)

About the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation - www.buildabear.com

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is committed to making life more bearable for children, families and pets, in need of a helping paw. With the sale of each full-sized Bearemy's Kennel Pals® friend -- a collection of Build A Bear Workshop® plush dogs -- one dollar is donated to domestic pet programs including local animal shelters, stray pet rescue and rehabilitation organizations, and pet education programs around the country. These funds are available to qualified non-profit organizations in the United States and Canada through a quarterly grant process. Visit www.buildabear.com for more information.

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