Actors Erin Krakow, Jack Wagner, Kevin McGarry, Kayla Wallace and Ben Rosenbaum were joined by Wonya Lucas, Crown Media’s President & CEO; Lisa Hamilton Daly, EVP of Programming; and Laurie Ferneau, SVP of Development, for a day volunteering in the sunshine at the Los Angeles-based equine rescue. The actors and executives spent the day doing many of the thankless chores that help keep the horse rescue running, including prepping meals for and feeding horses, cleaning tack and walking the horses around the grounds to help keep them calm. “I’m so grateful that Hallmark included us in this opportunity to get to know Win Place Home, Erin Krakow told Parade.com. “It always feels good to give back to the community, but doing so with horses made it feel extra special. I’ve grown particularly fond of horses while working with them on When Calls the Heart, and witnessing the incredible sanctuary [founder C.J. Wilson] has created for them really warmed my heart.” Ben Rosenbaum, who plays the town’s newest mayor, Mike Hickam, says volunteering helps him on and off the set. “The problems of the world often feel too big to tackle, but getting out and volunteering (no matter the cause) can focus that anxious energy for good and alleviate that sense of helplessness. It’s a win-win,” he told Parade.com. “It feels a little extra special, extra good especially to be around horses and out in nature.” “I second that,” said Kayla Wallace, who plays Fiona Miller on the show. “I enjoy learning about different causes and giving back when I can, getting to know the people behind these awesome organizations—and with Win Place Home, it was wonderful to see so many horses and other animals in such a comfortable environment. I enjoyed hearing about each horse’s story of how they ended up there and it was awesome to see firsthand how Win Place Home is setting up a comfortable life and future for them.” Crown Media also donated much needed supplies, including feed and fresh produce for the horses. “Crown Media Family Networks volunteering is important because when we think about our mission and our core it is about putting care and kindness into the world,” said network CEO Lucas. On the season 9 opener of the popular Hallmark series, Mountie Nathan Grant (Kevin McGarry) and his horse, Newton, were involved in a car accident. Both skittish from the events, the town’s new pharmacist Mei Suo (Amanda Wong) lends a hand to help rehabilitate Newton and tends to the emotional healing of both rider and horse. Win Place Home is a nonprofit that offers former racehorses a good home where their transition to forever homes will be smooth and calm. After their racing career, horses are usually discarded (or sadly, euthanized) without support or a place to call home. Founded in 2015, the organization has successfully re-homed 56 thoroughbreds and currently has over two dozen horses they are training for life after the racetrack. When Calls the Heart airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel. Next, Where Is When Calls the Heart Filmed?
