By Jill Fox
After their annual Pony Jail ‘n Bale event on October 10 and 11, Tomorrow’s Rainbow’s President, Abby Mosher, wasn’t quite finished raising funds for the children.
The organization, which provides grief and trauma counseling for children and their families, helped students after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Mosher understands that fundraising is a challenge during this time, with the election and a global pandemic but wasn’t ready to give up on her goal.
“At the end of the day, when we came back to the farm, I told everyone my plan,” said Mosher, who had decided to keep it a secret that she was determined to meet their goal of raising $100,000 for Tomorrow’s Rainbow.
Mosher locked herself in the portable pokey in the Tomorrow’s Rainbow parking lot and said, “I’m not leaving until this entire community is aware that we have children that are suffering from grief and trauma that need us.”
Mosher’s fiancé was speechless and didn’t want her to do it, but he understood it was about the children.
“My hope is not only to raise the funds but to raise awareness,” said Mosher, “We are helping the children so they can have a resilient and successful future.”
Those who have seen her plea have driven by honking, delivered meals, brought her gifts like pumpkin bread, but what Mosher needs most of all is donations.
“People didn’t think I was serious at first, but the kids are worth it, they deserve it, and whatever it takes, I’m here for them,” she said.
On night one, Mosher slept on the ground, but now she has a cot. On day three in the trailer, she configured a shower with a bucket and some event posters for privacy.
Mosher refuses to reveal how she uses the restroom since there isn’t one in the trailer. She said, “That’s the $54,482 question!” This means she’ll tell all when the rest of the money is raised.
Some of the challenges she is facing are that she’s still running the charity but from a horse trailer. “Everything still has to happen, and day-by-day, I get more creative,” Mosher said.
Inmates from the weekend’s event, including Bob Mayersohn and Lori Alhadeff, are still collecting money, and anyone else who chooses can start their own Facebook fundraiser to help out.
Mosher is posting on Facebook Live throughout the day, trying to gain a following. She said the more people who spread the word, the more support the children will receive.
Follow Mosher’s journey here and donate to help her get out of jail here.
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