Dear BINA Community,
We hope that you are all healthy and staying safe during these uncertain times. Below you will find updates from the Management Team on a re-opening date, charitable giving incentives and information about our virtual activities and live streaming events.
New re-opening date:
Governor Charlie Baker has extended the Massachusetts stay-at-home advisory and an executive order requiring non-essential businesses to remain closed through May 4th.
BINA Farm Center will be following this advisory. It is our goal to re-open on May 4th, pending any further guidelines from the state. Our Program Manager, Emily Rivers will be reaching out closer to the date to confirm lesson times for the remainder of the Spring schedule. We will not be sending invoices until mid to late April.
Credits for missed lessons and donations
:
As a non-profit, this closure presents unique challenges. There is a fixed cost to the high level of care we provide to our equine partners and it does not change when programming stops. In order to ensure we have a strong and healthy herd ready to work again once our doors re-open, our essential staff must continue to exercise and care for our horses around the clock.
We kindly ask that you consider making a donation or donating the fees for lessons that were cancelled in March (or fees for the April Vacation Program).
If this is something you can do, respond to this email and we will process a donation receipt.
We understand that not everyone is in a situation to make a donation so we will happily provide a credit for those who prefer one, please just let us know. Every donation, large or small will help ensure we are able to continue offering our programs to our valued participants. Thank you to those who have already donated their lesson fees. It means the world to us. Please see the new Charitable Giving Incentives at the bottom of this email.
Virtual Connections & Activities:
We know you miss the horses here at the farm. They miss you, too! Our essential staff members have been taking videos and pictures to help distract you from the heaviness of our current situation and give you something to make you laugh, like ponies napping or playing in the sunshine. These can be found on our Instagram and Facebook pages. We will also be offering the following weekly events:
Story Time with Shamus:
Every Monday at 12:00pm.
Volunteer Coordinator and Instructor, Cara Tsombakos will be reading a story with everyone's favorite Shetland pony live from the farm. To join, simply visit the BINA Farm Center Facebook page at 12:00pm sharp and the live stream will automatically pop up.
Featured Masterpiece Fridays:
Every Friday.
We will be posting a drawing, painting or any other piece of art from a participant on social media! Please email any horse or farm related masterpieces to Emily at [email protected] for a chance to be featured!
Be sure to visit our social media sites daily for activities, games, art projects and mindfulness videos to help keep your kiddos busy and you grounded.
Charitable Giving Incentives:
There is a new above-the-line deduction (universal or non-itemizer deduction that applies to all taxpayers) for total charitable contributions of up to $300. The incentive applies to cash contributions made in 2020 and can be claimed on tax forms next year (Section 2204). The law also lifts the existing cap on annual contributions for those who itemize, raising it from 60 percent of adjusted gross income to 100 percent. For corporations, the law raises the annual limit from 10 percent to 25 percent. Food donations from corporations would be available to 25 percent, up from the current 15 percent cap (Section 2205).
Donations to BINA Farm Center can be made here.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. We wish you nothing but the very best and we cannot wait to see you back at the barn soon.
Best Regards,
Coryn Bina, Co-Founder and Co-Chair
Emily Rivers, Program Manager and Path Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor
