Ties that Bind From New York to Ellijay, GA – Re-Build an Ark

Community, News

A group of volunteers will be gathering in Gilmer County at the end of July to help “Re-Build an Ark” for Susan Littlejohn at the animal rescue at the Coosawattee River Resort. An advance team will be led by Charlie Vitchers, who was the Construction Superintendent for Clean up Ground Zero in New York, Bob Lotspeich from Archie, MO., and Eddie Lanhem of Lester BuildingsSurvivor – look it up in the dictionary and you see “a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.” But it’s more than that –more than words can describe. I guess we could all be considered survivors on some level. Maybe we all have faced something sometime in our life that we had to “overcome”. But in the face of adversary is where character is built and revealed. Extraordinary events usually highlight extraordinary people and that is exactly what fetchyournews.com witnessed during our time spent with some pretty amazing people.

L-R, Jeff Parness, Susan, and Jill Strauzer at Build an Ark
L-R, Jill Strauzer, Jeff Parness, (holding Mizpah) and Susan Littlejohn stand where the barn once stood,
Jeff Parness talks with Susan Littlejohn

Build an Ark Animal Rescue from Fetch on Vimeo.

Horses at Build an Ark from Fetch on Vimeo.

It started with a story FYN reported after a tornado hit Gilmer County. Fetchyournews met Susan Littlejohn and saw the devastation caused by the storm in early April when it damaged stables and buildings at Build an Ark Animal Rescue located in the Coosawattee River Resort. The same story was also reported by NBC and caught the attention of someone in New York. After the news clip was seen on TV, Jeff Parness, founder of New York Says Thank You Foundation, did a search on the internet to find out more information. He came across our story coverage on Build an Ark at fetchyournews.com.

Parness told FYN the picture of Susan holding a dove in our article moved him and he decided to find out more about her and her animal rescue. FYN met with Jeff Parness on a recent strategic visit he made to see Susan and visit the Animal Rescue site. Jeff explained to us how the New York Says Thank You Foundation was formed after the outpouring of assistance and compassion to New York City in the aftermath of the terror attack on 9/11, 2001. Jeff, along with friend, Jill Strauzer, walked and talked with us at the Build an Ark rescue, sharing inspirational stories of the impact the foundation makes on everyone involved.

Jeff Parness visits Build an Ark Rescue

The NewYorkSaysThankYou.org started in 2003 at the suggestion of Jeff’s 5-year-old son. It has grown, in terms of volunteers; into the largest organization in the Country born out of the 9/11 attack. The goal is to transform the 9/11 Anniversary into a positive, hands-on platform for national volunteer service. More than half of the volunteers are disaster survivors including 25-30 NY Firefighter First Responders on 9/11, 25-30 hurricane survivors from Slidell, Louisiana, wild fire survivors from California, tornado survivors from Indiana, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, and Iowa, all joining forces to help another survivor.

Excerpt from NewYorkSaysThankYou.org: [Each year on the 9/11 Anniversary, The New York Says Thank You Foundation sends hundreds of volunteers from New York along with disaster survivors from around the country to help rebuild communities around the United States recovering from disaster. It’s our way of saying “Thank You” for all the love and support Americans from across the country extended to New Yorkers in the days, weeks, and months following September 11.
The secret to our growing “Pay It Forward” movement is very simple: What we do is about 9/12. ]

The group of volunteers will be gathering in Gilmer County at the end of July to help “Re-Build an Ark” for Susan Littlejohn at the animal rescue at the Coosawattee River Resort. An advance team will be led by Charlie Vitchers, who was the Construction Superintendent for Clean up Ground Zero, Bob Lotspeich from Archie, MO., and Eddie Lanhem of Lester Buildings. As Jeff explained to FYN, “It’s more than building a barn for Susan; it is helping empower survivors through volunteers, helping her connect with her community.”

Build an Ark – Caramela finds her Mama from Fetch on Vimeo.

Meet Ziggy at Build an Ark from Fetch on Vimeo.

Peaceful Refuge at Build an Ark

As we walked and talked with Susan and Jeff, we witnessed the way Susan cares and loves all the animals at Build an Ark. All of the animals are rescues except the Alpacas and they were given to Susan from her Veterinarian.

Peeking over the fence
Build an Ark Rescue
Horses grazing
Horses at Build an Ark Rescue

This Little Pig found a home at the rescue after being lost in the storm from Fetch on Vimeo.

Grazing
Caramela happily grazing
Alpaca

The goal of the rescue will be to maintain two of everything and rehabilitate, nurture, and find forever adoption homes for the rest. Every Monday Susan and the animals work with handicap children and other groups that benefit and enjoy the time spent together. FYN saw numerous letters of praise for the commitment, achievements, and the work Susan has done with animals for many years.

Build an Ark Animal Rescue

During our time at the rescue we saw children enjoying a visit and a volunteer working at the rescue, lending a helping hand in caring for the animals.

Katlyn Cass trains Sassy for horse show at Gilmer County Saddle Club on May 28th from Fetch on Vimeo.

Katlyn trains a horse named Sassy at Build an Ark from Fetch on Vimeo.

We also met Katlyn Cass, who was on site working with one of the horses, Sassy, for an upcoming show on May 28th at the Gilmer County Saddle Club. Susan told us that her hope is the rescue will teach the importance of helping others.

Katlyn Cass trains Sassy

FYN would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Jeff Parness, his sons, Evan -12 yrs and Josh – 9 yrs and everyone involved, for how they found a way to reach so many in such a powerful way. New York Says Thank You Foundation is truly an inspiration for all Americans and demonstrates the power of the American spirit. Fetchyournews.com will be assisting with coordination efforts and looks forward to bringing our community updates as the “barn raising” event draws closer.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can email their information to:
I Will Volunteer

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