Knocked Goose // Happily Heifer After Sanctuary
Hello! Happy evening or whatever time of day it is that this blog finds you. As I write these words, it is mid-September, 2 weeks away from needing to hit my goal of which we are fundraising for HHA (Happily Heifer After Farm Animal Rescue) through my recent run of garments, my line of 'Knocked Goose - HONK HONK' ✨🪿🍞✨
I've given insight on the whole concept of Knocked Goose, HONK HONK & it's lore within my previous Blogpost, please scroll to the bottom of this page to find it’s link & give that a quick read if you'd like more context on what any of this Knocked Goose stuff means. However, within this blogpost, I really want to focus on & explain the fundraising aspect of Knocked Goose, as well provide gravity on what it is I'm trying to achieve this month with it all
Recently, I've taken a bit of time off (which wasn't really, I've remained busy AF throughout this 'time-off') in which I've reconnected with family & dear friends throughout Queensland since the start of the month. It's been soul enriching, it's been challenging, I've felt my heart fill to it's limits several times these passed couple weeks and mourned those moments knowing they were now past & no longer present
The timing of everything has been crazy, I knew I had to do this Knocked Goose run and direct it's funds towards HHA, I knew I had to keep the whole process Artisan for my own expectations with my growth as an artist, I knew I had to juggle all of this while commencing an incredibly hectic & complicated Living/working situation relocation. I also knew people dear to me were reuniting this month ... So this was all an exciting whirlwind I've been bracing myself for, knowing there'd be very little rest & mercy shown in between
So far we've sold nearly twenty shirts, if everyone whom had told me 'Yeah, I'll get one', actually got one, we would nearly be at our target of 50 units sold come the end of the month. Guilt trip aside, there's some reflections & insight I would love to share;
When we first came out of Lockdown is when I trialed my first ever charity run shirt, of which we had the exact same goal as this one, in which we HIT out target goal the NIGHT of it's deadline, it was incredible. For those who remember, that was my design; 'Unity Moth', in which the design I was using at the time was a Death Moth using the colours of our First Nations flag. I knew very little about the foundation in which received that 2K donation prior, and I'm disappointed to reveal I felt I knew even less after I donated the money
I made another decent amount donation to this same foundation shortly after this by again selling those Unity Moth shirts, and they still weren't really showing they cared or needed the money. Which is fair, however, this is my second time running a similar concept to raise money for a local foundation. This time; I am overwhelmed with gratitude to know SO much about the establishment of which the money is going towards and even luckier to be taken on sight to see first hand what Happily Heifer After Farm Animal Rescue is all about
Late last week, we arrived at HHA (Happily Heifer After Farm Animal Rescue) and were immediately greeted by a flock of guard birds ( I have to add context & apologies here; I am the actual worst with memory retention. This month so far has had so much happen and on this day visiting HHA, I've lost memory of what these birds are known as and most of the names of each of the charming animals I met. I've left the comments section active on this Blogpost, if you can add context below about anything I've missed, please do so, I'd greatly appreciate it 🙏🏻)
We learnt this flock were native to the property and acted in a pack to ward off predators (like snakes, rats etc) and protect those vulnerable in their vicinity. After entering the property led by the HHA's founder, (Michelle) we then met the most charming Goat friend ever whom from my recollection was kept by our side from the other Goats as he needed some extra care and companionship while there was herd integration occurring.
I feel that if I were to recall each individual experience from here, this blogpost would turn to a multiple paged essay on wholesome experiences & spiritual connection that could go on beyond anyones attention span or care, so I think what's best said to summarise what followed is;
We heard the story of every animal rescued there, their situations that led them to HHA, their manipulation in DNA from years of breeding, born to be simply slaughtered in the eyes of their captors, categorised and grown for exploitation in the worst way. Each soul on this farm was rescued from situations of extreme neglect, then taken in to be given a chance at a quality of life. Each rescued animal on this farm showed immense love and kinship to Michelle and HHA's other volunteers & friends, Tim & Bec (Huge shout out to Michelle, Brenten, Tim & Bec) while we were there. In due course, as we were guests, these animals showed us the same interest, respect and affection. They deserve more treats than we could spare that's for sure 🖤
Currently & always, there is renovations happening on this farm that a little donation could go a long way in helping. This is a Sanctuary in which rescued animals are rehabilitated & rehomed. The efforts that Michelle, her partner and their dearly valued volunteers expend is far beyond what I can describe in words. I am on a mission this month to raise money for them and spread awareness
If you don't want a shirt, please subscribe to HHA's newsletter or even better, make a donation, big or small via this link;
https://www.happilyheiferafter.org/
We have 2 weeks remaining to sell just over 30 shirts to raise the money needed. If you know anyone who would love a shirt this Christmas, whether it's yourself or anyone near & dear, please don't put this off another day. Buy a Knocked Goose shirt, for the love of animals
Thank you for reading <3
EPILOGUE- The Aesthetically pleasing chap in the photo of this Blog is my good friend, Kai. Kai Lives in Amsterdam & we are very lucky to have him visit, we are even luckier to have this moment captured showing a glimpse of the happiness we all felt on our day visiting HHA, that of which we will hold forever in our hearts as a day shared between friends, old and new 💖
