Childhood is a time for dreaming of magic potions, princess fairy dresses, dragons in magical castles and more.
However, even with all the desire in the world, many children struggle to “live happily ever after.”
Welcome to Storybook Farm, a tranquil 51-acre working farm in Opelika whose mission is to “give kids their childhood back” through the unique and special bonds they form with animals.
“We believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow, succeed, and experience the joys of childhood, full of hope and possibility,” reads the farm's mission statement. Founded in 2002, the farm has more than 20 years of experience empowering and inspiring children who may have physical, cognitive, social or mental health challenges.
(Storybook Farm/Facebook)
In keeping with the storybook theme, all of the animals, from horses to dogs to cats, have literary-themed names, such as Boo Radley, Flat Stanley and even Prince Charming. Owner and CEO Dena Little designed the farm to blend the magic of childhood stories with the fun of farm animals.
“We wanted to create a place where kids and their families could come and take a breather from difficult situations,” Little said. “The farm is designed to help kids escape from stressful situations and build their confidence and self-esteem.”
Despite the challenges that kids living on farms face, Little explains that the animals are the most innovative therapists: “They really step in and become what the kids need,” she says. Horses are known for their intuitive understanding of human emotions, and the bond that forms between horses and kids is undeniably magical.
Storybook Farm also believes fairy tales should be available for everyone to enjoy, regardless of financial situation, and thanks to the generosity of donors, families don't have to pay a dime for their children to participate in their programs.
“The goal is to teach kids how to believe in themselves — to show them that they are special, worthy, valuable and important. This free program provides a great opportunity and a level playing field,” Little said.
(Storybook Farm/Facebook)
Little Farm has been overwhelmed by the support of generous donors, dozens of dedicated volunteers and the surrounding community, as the farm hosted its biggest fundraiser of the year, the 16th Annual Kentucky Derby Day, the only event the farm is open to the public.
“It's really a giant party with a purpose,” she says, “and it's also a great opportunity to share our mission and raise a lot of money for our programs.”
The party is a major funder of the farm's Brighter Futures Campaign, which aims to expand the farm's services and provide more opportunities for the children it supports. Their goal is to help 4,000 families next year, and Little says they are on track to reach that target.
“We're making a big deal out of Kentucky Derby Day because these families deserve the red carpet treatment,” she said. About 700 guests will gather at the venue to enjoy snacks from local restaurants, specialty drinks by Tito's and Old Forester, a Derby fashion contest, a live auction and a live stream of the 150th Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs.
“These fairy tales are only possible with the help of some very generous people,” Little said. “It's hard to underestimate the importance of what we're doing, because it's a place that's much bigger than me.”
This article previously appeared on SoulGrown.
