OT: Bay Area Residents Mobilize to Help Ailing Horse
Parakeet
Animals; Wonderful Way to Win or Bid on Exotic Prizes
PORTOLA VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 2003-- In a
big-hearted show of generosity and love for animals, animal lovers
throughout the Bay Area have stepped up to help a kindly horse named
Ben*, who recently underwent critical, expensive surgery. Portola
Valley's Spring Down Equestrian Center (www.sdecenter.com) is
generously hosting a "Benefit for Ben", the proceeds of which will be
used to help defray the vet bills for this wonderful animal who is
fighting for his life.
From now through September 7, members of the public are invited to
participate in a raffle or silent auction to help Ben and win an
exotic and impressive range of prizes, including a weekend at the Half
Moon Bay Ritz Carlton, tickets to Teatro ZinZanni, a week at a
250-acre ranch, a bronze sculpture or an oil painting of your horse or
other animal, a large variety of golf and sports packages, and
literally hundreds of unique gifts and lovely gourmet and theme
baskets. Just in time for Christmas shopping! The raffle drawing will
be held on September 21 at Spring Down Equestrian Center Horse Show;
participants need not be present to win. A silent auction will run on
the Spring Down premises from now through September 21; participants
can bid at any time during this period. For details about how to
purchase raffle tickets or for directions to the silent auction, call
650-759-1265.
The Prizes
Raffle tickets, for sale now at the Spring Down Equestrian Center
office or by calling 650-759-1265, are $5 per ticket, or 5 tickets for
$20. The winning tickets, be drawn September 21, will get:
1st prize: weekend for 2 at the Half Moon Bay Ritz-Carlton, with
dinner at award-winning Navio
2nd prize: tickets to Teatro ZinZanni, an innovative dinner theater
with cirque entertainment
3rd prize: a carefully selected collection of French wines and
delicacies
The silent auction, a separate function, is open to the public and on
display at the Spring Down premises. Members of the public can come to
check out the items on display, which include hundreds of unique
gifts, art, sports and vacation packages, and other ways to have fun;
these are but a handful:
One of a kind bronze sculpture of your horse. A talented local artist
will work with your horse to create a beautiful bronze bust in the
likeness of your horse.
Romantic weekend getaway at a beach house in Santa Cruz, overlooking
the ocean.
An oil painting of your horse, dog or other pet by an award-winning
painter.
A weekend or a week at a beautiful, 250-acre ranch in gold country
where you'll have your own valley surrounded by mountains, with
stunning views. Historic, timber-framed 6-stall barn, pond, rivers,
use of farm house that sleeps 7.
Two great seats at a San Jose vs. Mighty Ducks game along with some
Shark logo items.
Hand-made silver jewelry and lovely beaded necklaces from talented
local jewelers
Romantic carriage ride through Portola Valley, including a tour of a
collection of classic carriages
Golf and more golf, from an on-course lesson at Stanford to Half Moon
Bay's classic old course or the newer links
About Spring Down
Spring Down, located at 725 Portola Road in Portola Valley, is the
friendliest place to ride and enjoy horses, offering hunt-seat and
dressage instruction in an atmosphere of safety, comfort, and fun.
Spring Down also offers first-rate boarding facilities, and hosts
horse shows, riding camps, clinics and more. For more information
about riding at Spring Down, call 650-851-1114. Snag your raffle
tickets by calling 650-759-1265.
It should be noted that the owner of Spring Down, Carol Goodstein, has
herself kindly initiated this effort with her husband, Stan, along
with Ruth Polansky and Lisa Bailey and the entire staff of Spring
Down. Most of these individuals were also instrumental in saving Ben's
life. Ben's owner is, needless to say, grateful beyond words.
* Editor's note: photos of Ben, the auction items, and the Spring Down
Equestrian Center facilities are available by calling 650-759-1265.
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