Home Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue in Afton honored with Spirit of Virginia award
News

Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue in Afton honored with Spirit of Virginia award

Crystal Graham
hopes legacy equine rescue
Photo courtesy Office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin presented the Spirit of Virginia award to Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, a nonprofit in Afton that saves equines from a variety of situations including, but not limited to, abuse, abandonment, neglect and slaughter.

“Horses have a special place in my heart, and the work that animal rescues, like Hope’s Legacy, provide to God’s creatures surely inspires, said Suzanne Youngkin. “It has been an honor meeting Maya and witnessing her care of these beautiful animals and interacting with these beautiful animals. Your selfless work exemplifies the true spirit of Virginia.”

Hope’s Legacy founder and executive director Maya Prouix was thankful for the recognition.

“Hope’s Legacy is dedicated to changing the lives of equines coming from difficult situations, and we know that our work will continue for many years to come,” said Proulx.

The Spirit of Virginia award recognizes unique qualities and standout achievements across the Commonwealth and salutes Virginians for their uncommon contributions in private industries, education, culture, the arts and philanthropy.

The inaugural Spirit of Virginia award was presented to the National Center for Healthy Veterans in Altavista in March, and the second award was presented to Jill’s House in Vienna in May.

Hope’s Legacy takes in rescues throughout the state of Virginia. Hope’s Legacy announced at the event that they will take in their 500th equine rescue this week since the organization’s founding in 2008. They have more than 50 horses and donkeys currently in care. Hope’s Legacy first moved horses onto its current property at Castle Rock Farm in Afton in December 2017.

Gov. Youngkin and the First Lady plan to name three more Spirit of Virginia Award recipients this year.

Support AFP




Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]

Latest News

abigail spanberger
Politics, Virginia

Podcast: What happened to the Abigail Spanberger who ran for governor last year?

pete alonso baltimore orioles
Baseball

Former Met Noah Syndergaard said O’s slugger Pete Alonso is a Trumper like him

Noah Syndergaard, who was a 13-game winner with the New York Mets in 2018, but was out of baseball five years later, at the tender age of 30, popped up on a podcast with MAGA influencer Tomi Lahren this week.

police arrest night crime accident
Virginia

Greensville County: Suspect dead, officer wounded in early-morning shootout

A sheriff’s deputy was wounded, and a suspect shot and killed, in an incident reported early Thursday morning in Greensville County, in southeastern Virginia not far from the North Carolina state line.

horse with child
Local

Local equine rescue group highlights ASPCA® Adopt a Horse Month

virginia drought advisory
Virginia

Drought update: Pretty much all of Virginia needs some damn rain

vmi baseball zak kent
Baseball

VMI Baseball alum Zak Kent catches on with the Washington Nationals

softball
Etc.

UVA Softball: Breakdown of the four-team Knoxville Regional field