Area residents got their chance to visit with some Clydesdale horses and help a good cause at the same time.
Wismer Clydesdales held what has become an annual open house at their Pike Road farm Sunday afternoon and visitors steadily streamed in and out of the property with the crowds having to park along the road after many couldn't find parking on site.
Owner Ron Wismer said it was their fourth year having an open house. He stated there are 18 Clydesdale horses currently on the farm and was pleased so many people turned out to view them.
“It's an amazing crowd,” he said. “The support from the community is unbelievable.”
Wismer said he was approached a few years ago about allowing people to view the prized Clydesdales and they decided to marry it up with raising money for a good cause. Previous causes included a firefighters' benefit fund and Street Help, with this year's beneficiary being the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission.
The mission received $2,292.80 in Canadian funds, $105 in U.S. funds and 33 non-perishable food items.
The plan is to help non-profit organizations in Essex County every year, he added.
“So many people from the area are here,” said Wismer. “We even have people here from Michigan.”
Last year's open house drew people from as far as Sarnia, he added.
Once the public gained knowledge of the number of Clydesdale horses on the farm, Wismer said interest quickly grew.
“I don't think people realized what we have here,” he said.
The Wismers have been raising award-winning Clydesdale horses since Ron's father Jerry started doing so in 1979.
“It grew into what we are today,” said Wismer.
Jill Kanwischer, a volunteer board member at the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, said they were happy to be this year's recipient of the funds raised.
“It's going fabulously. We're very happy to have this event for us,” she said.
Not only did the mission raise awareness, but it helped their bottom line as well.
“People have been so generous,” said Kanwischer.
Wismer Clydesdales hosts busy fundraiser for mission
By Ron Giofu