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Misty at the Lake Dear Supporter, When we joined with 525 other local charities to participate in The Big Payback, we had no idea there would be so many wonderful and unexpected outcomes. First there was the incredible response from 835 donors, including you, who gave to help provide better service vehicles for Caregivers, Veterinary Staff and Maintenance Staff. These vehicles are required to provide quick emergency response inside the 2,700-acre refuge and to meet the daily needs of the thirteen elephants in our care. The generous outpouring totaled $74,054 in “Bucks for Trucks!”   Then, we won bonus prizes! The Big Payback’s corporate sponsors awarded The Sanctuary an additional $20,000 for earning the highest fundraising total from the most donors. Thanks to you, we can purchase two 2WD half-ton pickups: one 4WD half-ton pickup, and a two-ton flat bed truck! We are humbled and deeply grateful to you for making this possible. But wait, there’s more! A loyal Sanctuary supporter in Nashville  was deeply touched by this campaign. Teresa Veazey had just inherited a vehicle from her beloved friends, the late Inell and James Garner Tidwell. When Teresa read about “Bucks for Trucks,” she saw an opportunity to honor their memory by donating Mr. Tidwell’s gently-used 2005 Silverado to The Elephant Sanctuary. Paying it forward, we –in turn– have donated the best of our former fleet to High Forest Humane, the only no-kill shelter for homeless companion animals in Lewis County, Tennessee. The memory of a stray dog named Bella who was “adopted” by our founding elephant, Tarra, endures at The Elephant Sanctuary, and we are honored to support our local animal welfare neighbor. This is the impact made by your recent gift to Bucks for Trucks. Thank you for meeting these critical needs and helping us fulfill our mission of providing a safe haven for old, sick and needy elephants retired from zoos and circuses.  Sincerely, Lee Levine,  Development Manager P.S. Be on the look-out for Summer Trunklines, coming soon to a mailbox near you! The Elephant Sanctuary® Hohenwald, TN 38462 (931) 796-6500 ext. 26