Hope in Every Hoofbeat

The mission of H.O.P.E. Acres Rescue is to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide a safe haven for equines in need. We help horses and donkeys recover from neglect, give sanctuary to elderly and unwanted equines, and work to keep at-risk equines out of rescue through increased public education and support. With the combined efforts of caring volunteers, adoptive families, and county and state alliances, we can give these amazing animals a second chance at healthy, happy, and peaceful lives. We are a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Bonneau, SC providing equine rescue assistance state-wide.

Beginning with our very first horse Obsidian, we have personally overseen the care of every horse and donkey on the farm (as many as 24 at any given time) until they're healthy and ready for adoption. Since 2010, we have rescued over 100 equines. We have no paid staff; the rescue is operated entirely by volunteers, including our board members. As volunteers, we find immense personal and spiritual benefit working with these animals and eagerly share that experience with everyone that comes through our gates.

One of our goals is to make our community more aware of equine abuse and neglect—how it is more common than many people realize, what it looks like, and how to prevent it. Owning a horse or donkey is a big responsibility and can come with a lot of hidden costs, so it's important that prospective owners know how to care for these animals. We want to empower individuals to be good owners, and strongly encourage anyone to come to us with questions about their horses' health and well being.

Photo by Jess Schaer, Schaer Studios.

#TEAMHOPE

H.O.P.E. Leadership

H.O.P.E.'s Board Members are caring, selfless, diligent, focused, reliable and dedicated.  We take pride in our efforts knowing that our entire existence within the organization is to be the voice for our horses.  Since our inception, this team has been comprised entirely of volunteers from many walks of life: parents, executive administrators, customer service representatives and teacher. All of us bring both professional and life experiences together for the benefit of these majestic creatures. Our commitment is  based on the hope that we long to give, the future that we strive to change and the amazing spirits we are blessed to touch. We are fortunate to have help in our endeavors: our veterinarian, Dr. Justin Miller, owner of Charleston Equine Clinic   and our farrier, Kristi Rodgers. Collectively we are focused on each horse's past, present needs, its potential, its spirit and ultimately its future.

Board Members

Tracey R. Sawyer

President

​Co-Founder and President since 2010. Oversees all areas of business operation, participates in the daily care of the herd, coordinates veterinary and farrier care, and manages comprehensive rehabilitation plans for all intakes. Also supervises social media and on-line presence, coordinates fundraising events and relationships with community businesses, writes grants, and acts as a liaison between the public and the organization. Background in Business Administration, Accounting, Personnel, Customer Service and Management. Lifelong animal advocate.

Rebecca Strong

Adoption/Intake Coordinator

Adoption/Intake Coordinator, former Volunteer Coordinator. Volunteer with H.O.P.E. from 2012 to present. Serves as a liaison with the public as well as local and state entities for rescue operations and seizures and intakes. Fields inquiries from the public relating to horses in possible need of rescue, individuals wishing to surrender their horses, and individuals wishing to adopt a horse. Processes adoption applications and follows-up with adopters on the progress of each horse. Coordinates training of horses and acts as liaison between the rescue and off-site trainers. B.S. Biology, M.A. Secondary Education. 30-year veteran middle school teacher. Lifelong animal advocate.

Mandy Hornsby

Secretary

Mandy has been a volunteer with H.O.P.E. since September 2016. From 2018 to spring 2020 she coordinated medical records with her daughter Amber Bowden. She has always loved horses, and has enjoyed expanding her horse knowledge since volunteering with H.O.P.E. 

Kimberly Lewis

Fundraising Coordinator

Kimberly was born and raised a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan on a 40-acre farm in Knapp Wisconsin. 
In Ft. Lauderdale she worked for The American Cancer Society, which introduced her to the world of non-profits and has been one of the most rewarding jobs of her life. In November 2018 she happened to see a news story on H.O.P.E. Acres. "I was so excited! I had been looking for a way to get back to my 'farm girl' roots and a horse rescue seemed like a fantastic place to start!  I can wholeheartedly say that H.O.P.E. Acres is what my heart was looking for." 

Kimberly served as the event chair for our first 5k fundraiser, The H.O.P.E. Lope 5k, in February 2020. 

Auxiliary Board Members

Kurt Abel

Executive Director
​Auxiliary Board Member

Kurt grew up in Ohio and settled in the Lowcountry after serving in the U.S. Air Force for 10 years. He grew up with animal family members and has always had a soft spot for animals and those in need. Kurt and his wife, Tracey currently share their home with 3 horses, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 pigs and a goat. 

Kurt began volunteering with H.O.P.E. in 2012 and has since become a very integral part of our organization.  From transport to facility repairs you will find Kurt taking part in nearly all aspects of the rescue.  He currently serves as an auxiliary board member as our Facility Coordinator. Kurt's favorite thing about H.O.P.E. is "Being part of the beautiful journey from rescue to adoption". 

Amber Bowden

Medical Records Coordinator
​Auxiliary Board Member

Amber has been with H.O.P.E. since September 2016. She enjoys observing the horses' natural behavior, and is interested in learning more about barefoot trimming and equine veterinary care. She assists with medical treatments on the farm and observes vet and farrier appointments.

Tori Burroughs

Community Relations Coordinator
Website Coordinator
​Auxiliary Board Member

Tori has been a volunteer with H.O.P.E. since 2015. She has undergraduate degrees in Graphic Design and English. She is on the feed team, manages the website, takes photos, and assists with grant writing, fundraising, and some graphic design projects.

Nancy White

Volunteer Coordinator
​Auxiliary Board Member

Nancy has been a volunteer at H.O.P.E. since 2021. Originally from Pennsylvania, she is a retired teacher who has loved horses for as long as she can remember. After she'd been away from them during her marriage, children, and career, she once again felt the need to hear the sounds of hoofbeats and neighs. Discovering H.O.P.E. came at the perfect time, and she became a member of the feed team. As Volunteer Coordinator, Nancy fields inquiries from prospective volunteers, addresses the requirements for joining us, and conducts regular volunteer orientations to familiarize volunteers with H.O.P.E.'s facilities and its specific volunteer needs. "Without our volunteers, we would never be able to fulfill our mission." Nancy firmly believes that "two feet move your body; four feet move your soul."