This past winter, New England Spas, a spa retailer with three Massachusetts locations, posted free pallets on Facebook Marketplace. Karen Larsen, co-owner of Liberty Farms — a nonprofit animal rescue on a 100-acre sanctuary in the foothills of the Berkshires in Warren, Massachusetts — responded to the post.
Larsen came to the New England Spas warehouse in an old farm truck to load up the pallets. As the delivery team helped, Bruce Bourassa, delivery manager for New England Spas, struck up a conversation with Larsen, learning how the farm would use the pallets to help build shelters for the animals rescued.
“Once Bruce heard how many pallets were needed to make structures for the animals, and that the farm was interested in old spas [we had] to be used as cooling pools or feed/water bins, Bruce offered to deliver everything for free,” says Ginny Nolan, brand manager for New England Spas. “It was a great way to repurpose materials and help animals.”
Larsen is grateful for New England Spas’ generosity. “Especially with the high cost of wood, we have used the pallets to build barns for the animals,” she says. “They are strong and provide a way for us to afford to create these structures. On our farm, these pallets are very valuable.”
New England Spas donated two hot tubs that are being used as cooling tubs for rescued alpacas and dogs. Larsen hopes to eventually repurpose additional used hot tubs as water feeders for horses. Nolan says the company is planning to deliver more once the busy summer season is over. “We would like to donate as much as Liberty Farms can use,” she adds.
Larsen says that, before reaching out about the pallets listed on Facebook, she’d never had any connection to New England Spas. “It affected me greatly because it was an unexpected act of kindness,” she says of the donation. “When running a sanctuary of over 50 animals, it can get overwhelming. When someone does something so nice, it renews your faith and strength.”