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PHOTO: Mac Vandeventer joins in goat yoga with the newborn babies at the ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower & PJ Party at Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center in Albion. (Submitted photo)
ALBION — It was a pajama party like no other at Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center in Albion on May 16, when 100 children, dressed in their pajamas, welcomed baby lambs, goats, calves and other newborn animals –also wearing pajamas –as part of the annual ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower.
This year’s event featured hands-on educational sessions, including teaching kids how to milk a cow, fetch eggs from a real chicken coop, spin lamb’s wool, and stretch out at goat yoga. Children were able to hold the newborn babies, learn about caring for them, and experience a working organic farm.
Linda Hartkopf, owner of Hart-to-Hart Farm with her husband, Doug, said she enjoys the opportunity to share her love for animals with the community.
“Many of the children who came have never been on a working farm,” Hartkopf said. “We take great pride in educating them about caring for animals, and sharing our love and pride in raising them. There’s nothing like introducing a child to a newborn animal.”
Hart-to-Hart Farm is a family-owned and operated organic dairy farm that offers summer educational programs for children, adults and families. The event is held each year in memory of Cassidy Charette, an Oakland teen who died in a hayride accident in 2014. Charette, known for her kindness as an active community volunteer, was also passionate about caring for animals as a long-time summer camper at Hart-to-Hart Farm.
“Every year we get further away from losing Cass holds a special place for us all,” said Cassidy’s friend Shawna Lachance, who is on the Foundation’s board of directors. “We know we are continuing the work she would have lived her life doing.”
Families attending the event made monetary gifts and donated a truckload of food and pet items, which went to Humane Society Waterville Area in memory of Charette, who was also a shelter volunteer.
