ThanksLiving @ Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

I've written about the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary before. This past weekend I headed up to Woodstock, NY to volunteer at the annual ThanksLiving Event @ WFAS. It's an amazing event, and this was my 2nd year as a volunteer. Let me tell you about it...

Thats me, been running around all day!

My travel companions were my sister Cassie, her boyfriend Andy, and two of her friends, Gena & Jenn. (Gena has an amazing blog called choosingraw.com, check it out!).

On our way up on Saturday, we made a few stops: first for some Brooklyn bagels for Sunday's volunteer breakfast, then on to Blossom Cafe and Candle 79 (two of the very best vegan restaurants in NYC) to pick up the awesome food that was being donated.

We got to the farm at about 3pm Saturday, and spent about an hour unwinding, saying hello to all of our friends:

Brooklyn Love

Then we got to action, and spent a few hours helping prepare for the big event. There were a million things to get done. There were over 60 volunteers that helped prepare everything from food prep, building the tent, setting the tables, decorating, packing goodie bags, organizing the farm, etc... With 250 guests, ThanksLiving is hardly a small event, and it's beyond important for everything to go smoothly.

Cassie and Gena with Rebecca organizing merchandise at the Visitor's Center.

By the end of the day, we were pooped. It was time for dinner, and we went to the ultra veg friendly Garden Cafe. Yum.

The next day, we got to the farm at 9am, there was still much to be done, and we were back hard at work... Guests started to arrive at noon.

Turkeys - the Guests of Honor!

The event was incredible!!! The tent was beautiful, the guest speakers were inspiring, the food was delicious, the guests were receptive and gracious. The WFAS team are the most hard working, inspirational people I know. WFAS, if you are reading: we are all in debt to you!

Also, check out the menu:

Hors D’oeurves
Blackeyed Pea Cakes with Chipotle Aioli (Blossom)
Stuffed Mushrooms with Hearts of Palm (Blossom)
Crispy Dumplings with a Wasabi-Carrot Miso Dipping Sauce (Candle Cafe)
Dr. Cow Tree Nut Cheese on a Crisp Baguette with Tapenade
(Dr. Cow/Bread Alone)
Mini Meatballs w/Mustard Caper Sauce (Match Meats/Gretchen Primack)
BBQ Gardein Skewers (Gardein)
Sesame “Chicken” Bites with a Sweet Tamarind Chili Sauce
(Match Meats/Lourdes Jovel/Loren Brown)

Dinner
Salad of Organic Greens with Roasted Garlic Dressing
(Olivia’s Organics/Garden Cafe)
Blue Corn Crusted Seitan with Chimichurri Sauce (New World Home
Cooking)
Savory Vegan Stuffing (Joshua’s Cafe)
Herbed Roasted Seasonal Vegetables (Red Onion Restaurant)
Tuscan Farro Salad with Greens and Butternut Squash (Cucina Restaurant)
Sweet Potato & Walnut Biscuits (Karma Road Cafe)
Herbed Focaccia & Ciabatta (Bread Alone)

Desserts
Choice of Death by Chocolate Cake (Vegan Treats)
or Peanut Butter Mousse Bomb Cake (Vegan Treats)
or Pumpkin Cheesecake (Vegan Treats)
with Raw Cashew Nut Gelato (Organic Nectars)

Drinks
Les Compagnons Wines • Brooklyn Brewery Beer
Gus Soda • Izze Drinks
Catskill Mountain Coffee • Wildwood Soy Creamer
Choice Organic Teas

The crowd listens to Jenny Brown and Doug Abel speak, John Phillips of the NY League of Humane Voters and NY State Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh also spoke. Such the animal lovers.

Seriously, words can't describe the overwhelming feeling that I get just being on the farm, let alone being a part of this incredible event. It's a feeling of gratitude for Jenny and Doug, and the staff and what they accomplish, gratitude for knowing there is a haven for abused animals, gratitude for just for being able to help out a little bit. I am not going to get into it right now, but the abuse that takes place against animals today is off the charts and we've got to stop it. That's what WFAS stands for.

So in closing, and I can't stress enough:

VISIT THE WOODSTOCK FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY. IT MAY CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

ALSO, GO TO WOODSTOCKFAS.ORG. ADOPT A FARM ANIMAL. DONATE MONEY. MAKE A DIFFERENCE!