OXFORD – Faced with escalating day-to-day costs like fuel, hay and grain, a local horse rescue shelter is reaching out to the community for help.

The Destiny Equine Rescue Center, a nonprofit horse rescue located in the Town of Oxford, will host “For the Love of Horses” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. This fundraising event will be held at Lilley Farms, 5116 state Highway 41 in Greene. Organizers hope the event will go a long way in helping Destiny Equine maintain its shelter, which currently houses more than 20 equines and other livestock animals in need of rescue, treatment, or retirement.

For the Love of Horses will feature door prizes and raffles throughout the day, a chicken barbecue and a variety of vendors, including Origami Owl and Tastefully Simple, selling handmade jewelry and other artisan crafts. All proceeds will directly benefit Destiny Equine in sustaining its mission.

“There is an obvious need for a horse rescue in the area,” said Jenn Micha, event coordinator and Destiny Equine volunteer. Destiny Equine – operated under direction of shelter founders Michele Delorenzo and Ron Brandon – is too often forced to turn away animals due to its lack of resources, said Micha.

“Horse owners contact Michele regularly to surrender unwanted horses and unfortunately, Michele has had to turn them away because she couldn't afford to take them in,” Micha said. “Horses have shown up tied to their gate at the end of the driveway on occasions, some neglected so badly that the rescue has needed to put them down.”