Can a 10 year-old girl Save the World? Well, maybe she can't save it, but she can change it. One animal at a time.
My friend Stuart, a local police officer, told me about his daughter, Kaylee, who had started her own Retirement Stables here on Maui. She came to him with an idea: she wanted to provide a safe place for animals that might otherwise face an uncertain future.
With her father's support and encouragement, Kaylee has taken in dozens of animals--horses, sheep, pigs, goats, and chickens. In fact, employees of one of the local farms chipped in to purchase a goat that was going to be sold, so that they could bring it to Kaylee to ensure a long, happy retirement in West Maui. Kaylee's father is as dedicated as she is, working extra shifts to supply the ever-expanding menagerie of animals, such as George Clooney, Matt Damon, Chuck Norris, and Hamwich, with food and medical treatment. They encourage visitors, especially young children, who can get to know the animals.
Kaylee is a local hero--many of us are awed by her vision and want to let the world know what she is doing. Not long ago, when I was working at the Plantation Clubhouse office, I had the pleasure of meeting Beth Doane. She stopped by to ask about the Kapalua Resort, and we started to talk about the wonderful places and people to visit and see all over the island of Maui. Beth founded a company, RainTees, that works to replace trees in the rain forests of South and Central America, and she works tirelessly on many causes that are dear to her heart.
I suggested that Beth meet Kaylee as they have a shared love of animals. Beth interviewed Kaylee and Stuart, and you can now meet Kaylee and the animals she's saved on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_6830XxdgE&sns=em
For more information on the remarkable Kaylee and her inspiring vision, visit www.kaleesretirementstable.com
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