Hi,
I am BJ. recycleeverything@yahoo.com
Due to job loss of both heads of household, we are having a very
difficult time feeding our animals. With the economy the way it is,
no one is buying either. We are not looking for a handout but we
have things we are willing to trade for hay if anyone has any extra.
We have
all natural beef,cattle, horses,some equipment,artist talents and
more.We are also willing to work for it if you need some odd jobs
done. We
are in the Holland, Michigan area. Please contact us if you have any
interest or ideas.
I would like to stress how hard this is for me to ask for help. We
have usually been the ones to help others out. If it were not for
the circumstances of both of us losing our jobs and only one of us
getting unemployment, I would not be asking now. We have been
searching for any work but the answer is always the same....no one
is hiring. Anyway, we are not asking for a handout, just a fair
trade for what we have to be able to keep our home and feed our
animals. We have lost 3 animals within the last 3 weeks from the
cold and not enough food to keep them warm. We do have a source for
large hay bales at $20.00 each, but our wonderful farmer/hay
supplier cannot lend us much more credit. We put out 3-4 bales
every 2-3 days which isn't as much as they should be getting but its
the best we can do. They should be getting grain during this cold
time but that is not an option right now. So, again...we have all
natural lowfat beef (texas longhorns), some farm equipment, a 1961
Ford Stepside pickup I am an artist and can
paint/draw/woodburn /photograph etc your animals, kids/grandkids,
farms. I can set up websites (I have several sites for you to check
out) I have alot of my stuff for sale at a local flea market
(antique-new items) I can crochet/sew make signs....probably alot of
other things I can't think of right now. We are willing to work if
you have odd jobs to be done.....and whatever else you can think of
that is legal. If you have any leads on jobs or are interested at
all in anything I mentioned (or have something different you need)
Please let me know and I can get back with you.

I have been involved in rescues since I was 12 when a took in a pony
that was left to die when a his family moved out of our neighborhood
and left him behind. I have taken in probably 20 horses and maybe 50
dogs and cats over the last 35 years until I could rehabilitate them
and find them good homes. Some of the ones I have now are rescues. I
just never thought that I would be on this side of it. I swallow my
pride now because I don't want the animals to suffer. With the way
things are now in this world there are so many scammers out there
along with there being real needs to be met. I just don't want
anyone to think that we are trying to get a free ride here. We have
always been hardworking individuals and want to continue to be that
way. After working at the same factory for over 30 years then having
it shut it's doors, it has been very difficult to keep a positive
outlook Asking for help doesn't help either BUT....if it can help
the animals, I will do what I have to do. I will gladly accept any
help that anyone is willing to offer....AND offer my help in
whatever ways I can that will help others in need. I can use large
or small bales of hay, whatever is cheapest as far as grain
goes....they can even eat plain corn. I have a feed mill about 2
miles from me that is much cheaper than the TSC stores, or more hay
can be purchased from my supplier at the $20.00 per large bale and
he will deliver to us. We can help with unloading on this end too.
You are correct in sensing that this is our livelihood and it is
very painful at times.....

The last thing we want is people to think that we don't care about
the situation we are in. We spend many restless nights trying to
find a solution and asking for help is our last resort. We also
don't want people to think that we are crying over spilled milk.
This is a very serious problem that we would love to take care of
ourselves but see no way out. We are trying to keep it together and
remember that "I will be given nothing that I can't handle" (even
though I think that he has me mixed up with someone else)

We also have 4 horses. One Chincoteague that I got from Chincoteague
Island, Virginia 16 years ago as a 4 month old wild colt.He went
from being mine, to my son's and now is my granddaughter' s. He has
earned his place here and will remain here until he
passes.Hopefully, he will be around for my great grandchildren. The
3 others are rescues that I have had for several years and do have
some individuals that are helping support them as a group effort. I
have two dogs. One that was on death row at a shelter and one that I
got from someone that let her dog have litter after litter of pups
until her uterus came out with the last litter. She finally
consented to having the dog fixed and my daughter and I took two of
the pups and helped pay for the surgery. We have a cat that was left
behind at my daughters apartment complex. The dogs and cat were
taken to C-snip so that they will not contribute to the unwanted
animal explosion. We did not get into this situation irresponsibly
as we both have always worked full time jobs and are very careful
about how we spend our money. We don't waste our money on smoking,
drinking, gambling or anything else that is frivolous. We don't
drive new cars or have any other luxuries. We live very simply and
spend more on the animals than ourselves. I know that we are not the
only ones in circumstances like this and I do feel shame in asking
for help now.... .
So here we are again...if you are in a postion to help, the feed
mill I mentioned is Piers Feed Co. 4384 58th Street Holland Michigan
616-396-2586. I have not contacted them yet but I will in the
morning. I will check on current prices and the best way to go. It
is so close, I could pick up the supplies. I do not want to post the
hay farmers name on the internet but can provide that by phone or
whatever other way would work. You are welcome to crosspost if you
think that will help. Thank you again for all the help and
understanding. BJ

FROM Lisa:
Monday I got the account set up with the feed company and posted it in my group ONe sweet heart of a friend matched my  donation so we got them started on  emergency feed for the
animals. It is so wonderful to see people actually step up and help
others. The  account is at Piers Feed Co. If anyone
can call them with a donation, it will be put for feed. They also
take credit and debit cards. The owner even took time to check a
few things out to make sure the request was legit. When he called
back, he said it is. Even a couple of farmers happened to be in the
store at the time and they both said they are very good people, in
need of help, and both looking for work. So yes, this IS a
legitimate need for help. I know many of you are not in Michigan.
But if you've been watching the news, we are one of the many states
hit with a very early winter, and deep freeze conditions for weeks
and weeks now... We need to get help out there to keep these animals
warm and fed and safe. Many of us are also checking with local
grocery stores and bread stores. We were told bread would make a
good filler along with the hay and feed, and make it stretch
further...
So please, we are trying to show the true spirit of caring. If you
can only donate spare change, bags of pop bottles, anything will
help... and please, we all must know and realize, this could be us
someday... Please give whatever you can afford, anything will be
appreciated.

Piers Feed Co.
616-396-2586
The account is under "BJ's Wish"
and anyone can call and help as they can or see fit.

Thank you and May God Bless You.