ABOUT SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS AND IT'S BEGINNING
Sonny and Russell were riding on the trails of Sycamore Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains when they came across a little boy holding a tattered red stuffed animal. Russell asked the little boy if he would like to say hello to Sonny and pet his nose as so many children had always done over the last 18 years. Instead of petting Sonny, the little boy ran into the weeds. Russell asked the parents if he was ok, and they explained, since Covid, the lockdown of schools and less interaction with children he is afraid of everything. When Sonny heard this he turned to Russell and said "dad we should do something nice for the kids." Russell then asked Sonny, "what do you think we should do?" Sonny said, "we should make a stuffed animal that looks just like me to give to the children we meet, to make them feel good and safe". That is exactly what they did which was the beginning of the Sonny Horses 4 Kids Program.
An Unbreakable Bond Between a MAN and His HORSE
In the Spring of 2020, Russell suffered a medical emergency while riding in the Sycamore Canyon area in the Backcountry of the Santa Monica Mountains with his faithful companion and friend Sonny. He was able to get one call out before the signal was gone. That call was to Russell's wife Laura. The last thing he said before the call cut out was "I Love You". Helicopter search and Rescue units were dispatched. Nearly 3 hours passed before they were able to see Sonny through the dense green tree cover. Sonny faithfully stood over Russell for about 3 hours on a 95 degree day, shading him thus keeping him 20 degrees cooler staying off death from heat exposure, while giving search and rescue teams time to find Russell and save his life. Not only did Sonny keep Russell alive, but Sonny wouldn't leave his side as most horses instinctively would go eat grass or head back to the ranch or trailer.
THAT IS TRULY AN UNBREAKABLE BOND
Russell and Sonny ride on the
Ventura County Sheriff's
Mounted Search and Rescue Team
and Ventura County Sheriff's Posse
They have ridden with
the National Park and State Park Services.
They're thankful everyday to have the
Opporunity to PAY IT FORWARD
and help others who may be in need.
SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS, The Gift of Giving
Laura and Russell Libby started the Chidren's Non-Profit Charity SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS PROGRAM in 2022. They designed, manufactured and purchased the first 1,000 plush SONNY BOY HORSES. They said, "Let's put our money where our hearts are". They believe if you can have a positive impact on a child's life, than that is a life well lived. Driven and motivated by making a difference within their community and beyond by bringing smiles to children one child at a time. When you take the time to think about it, we are truly the lucky ones. They also understood the overwhelming need to help educate children and the community about feeling safe and comfortable with and around our wonderful law enforcement, giving us the amazing successful SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS PROGRAM we have today.
As of December 2024 SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS has given out over 6000 of our SONNY BOY PLUSHIE'S to children, seniors and frankly anybody who might need a smile. We have all of you to thank.
SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS continued progress
Meet the Newest Member Of the Sonny Horses 4 Kids Family "SONNY THE KID"
SONNY THE KID arrived with us August 2024 and has been working hard training to get ready to share the role with SONNY BOY to be the ambassador to the SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS program. Sonny the "KID" is eager to learn and is 8 years old. He came from a wonderful ranch in a small town in Texas. Soon we will all have fun meeting the kids just like his big brother SONNY BOY.
Our Program
SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS offers a variety of events, support programs and engagements throughout Ventura County with the desire to educate inform and connect our community, our amazing law-enforcement and first responders while having positive and comfortable interactions.
Our Impact
Over the past years, SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS has united thousands and thousands of children and adults in our community with our law enforcement and first responder partners throughout Ventura County. Children from all backgrounds, children with special needs and disabilities, children who have been trafficked or abused and the kids next-door. One child at a time no child left behind. We are working to improve the relationship and understanding we have with one another. Sonny boy and our horses, including all the plushy's we give out, is that unique Magic that allows us to lower the temperature and connect together as people.
DONATIONS STAY IN VENTURA COUNTY FOR OUR KIDS & COMMUNITY
SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS Our Mission: Bringing SMILES to children's faces while fostering and developing positive interactions and relationships between law enforcement.
SONNY BOY and All of us at SONNY HORSES 4 KIDS
are Grateful and Humbled, Thank You So Much
Sonny boy say's one child at a time no child left behind
