Bright and early Saturday morning, Summer Stevens, her family and a group of volunteers pulled on their boots and gathered at the Georgia Equine Impound in the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center to begin a project of pure compassion. The goal of the day was to construct three small shelters to shade the abused and neglected horses from the scorching summer heat while they are nurtured back to good health and spirits.

Stevens, a 12-year-old on a mission to raise awareness and end animal cruelty, was one of the first to arrive at the equine impound to supervise and help with a project she put into motion. Though she didn’t hammer nails or lift wood into place, Stevens’ smiles, water refills and kind words of encouragement helped not only those laboring on the shelters, but the horses as well.

Even with sweat dripping down the faces of all who were building shelters, taking care of the impounded horses or preparing lunch, no one was in a sour mood because the day wasn’t about people; it was about making a difference in the life of an animal. Stevens proves that no matter your age, if your heart is big and you care enough, you can make a difference, even if it’s just one horse at a time.

Story and photos by Brittany Thomas.