Event- Sept. 15 in Wisconsin

Debra Lopez has always loved animals, but horses can be considered a favorite. That's why her newly founded organization, Animal Fairy Charities, will be hosting its first Musical Horse Aid, an all day event on Sept. 15 that will raise money for charities dedicated to equine protection and care.

"I've been in sales my whole life, and if there is one thing I can do, it's raise money," said Lopez, also president of her charity. "I might as well do it for animals."

Lopez ventured into the animal charity world with her Web site Campaign for Barbaro. She soon partnered with Shelley Abrams in leading an advocacy group for the safety and welfare of horses. Their main objectives are banning horse slaughter and improving race tracks. Both Lopez and Abrams are involved with Thoroughbred horse racing. "I knew my life was going to change and I wanted to do something more substantial," Lopez said.

Musical Horse Aid is not a political event, but purely for horse lovers to come listen to talent from all over the country, and hear speakers from national horse advocacy organizations. The Wisconsin National Guard will open and close the event with a full color guard and national anthem tribute. Honored organizations will receive an Animal Fairy ornament and desk piece sculpture as a gift.

The ultimate goal of Lopez' organization is to raise awareness in a time when legislation has stalled in Congress to ban horse slaughter. And she will do that, along with her partner in Animal Fairy Charities, Lori Charney, by funding other charitable organizations and laminitis research. They believe that if a cure was found for laminitis, that would be "the end all." Getting equine hospitals the equipment they need is another step in the right direction.

"I believe I can make that difference," Lopez said. "I hope to inspire other people to come and do more, to open a rescue, to learn, and to volunteer at rescues. I ask that people are aware of how many horses are out there."

What: Musical Horse Aid

Where: Walworth County Fairgrounds, southeastern Wisconsin

When: Sept. 15, noon to 10p.m.

Tickets: $25, kids under 12 are free

All proceeds go to charities including the Humane Society, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Habitat for Horses, and others.

Visit www.animalfairycharities.org for more information regarding this event, or to donate.

AHDF president, Shelley Sawhook, will be attending the event and will be speaking. Please join us for some fun, music and helping horses.