KELSEYVILLE — For five hours in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, four men worked to get horses out of harm”s way.
Cole Creek Equestrian Center in Kelseyville became a reprieve for 11 ash-covered, smoke-affected horses.
Joanne, John, Bill and Kelsey Van Eck didn”t hesitate to help strangers during a time of need.
“Everybody in the community came up to the plate,” Joanne said Wednesday. “That”s what I love about Lake County.”
Glenn Benjamin, Andre Boresmen, John and Bill Van Eck headed toward the flames off of Highway 20, while Kelsey and Joanne fielded phone calls and offered help from the homefront.
“The Lake County Horse Council was amazing,” Kelsey said.
John said getting the word out that they wanted to help happened rapidly via social media sites and with the help of print, television Internet and radio media.
Joanne posted on Facebook, “In light of the recent fire outbreaks in Clearlake and surrounding areas, please tell anybody needing a safe place for their horses, to get them out of harm from the fire to contact us at Cole Creek Equestrian Center, we will work with you to make sure your horses are safe and sound. For immediate service please call us on our cell phones. We have several pastures to accommodate.”
The Van Eck family referenced all of the people who readily offered help as soon they heard about the fires.
“This community is always here for their neighbors,” John said. “God forbid we were in need of help, I know the community would be here for us, too.”
The horses were bathed, fed, watered and given their own pasture. They are safe and will remain at Cole Creek until it is safe for them to return home.
The Van Eck”s would like to participate in a county emergency horse rescue that is ready to mobilize whenever the need arises.
