Help Jim and Cheri at Maple Farm Sanctuary

We are a small group of volunteers at Maple Farm Sanctuary in Mendon, MA, and have witnessed the dedication of Jim and Cheri Vandersluis to the animals of the sanctuary for many years. Jim works tirelessly to take care of the animals who live on the farm, many having come from abusive or neglectful situations. Maple Farm was in Jim's family and was once a working dairy farm until he and Cheri realized how much they loved their animals and wanted them to have a safe place to live for the rest of their lives.

Recently, Jim had a debilitating accident. He was starting the 4-wheeler to go feed the cows when the gas pedal became stuck and the vehicle went full speed into the side of the garage. Jim sustained a serious head injury. He initially refused to go to the hospital as he was worried about the cows. Cheri bandaged his head wounds, then Jim’s nephew drove him to the hospital. After CAT scans, he was found to have 5 fractures of his cervical spine. The doctors also found a tear of a vertebral artery that should heal on its own, but he was cautioned to take it easy while it healed. He is in a full neck brace for at least the next two months. Cheri herself has an inflammatory syndrome causing chronic pain and mobility issues.

They are in need of funds to get rides to both of their doctor appointments, repair the garage, help with vegan meals, hire Instacart to pick up groceries from the supermarket, and help with vet bills for Cheri’s service dog.

Any donation, no matter how small, is desperately needed and greatly appreciated.