I just love this charitable idea "in lieu of" wedding favors for a wonderful local cause...

photo:  RayMatthews.com 

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund, Inc., a non-profit group, is charged with physically managing, caring for and protecting the wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs that have roamed the Northern Outer Banks, known as Corolla, for nearly 500 years. The American wild horse is rapidly disappearing and the Banker strain of Colonial Spanish Mustang is now on the critical breed list. The next category is extinction. To avoid extinction, the Corolla herd will need to be doubled, growing from 60 horses to 120 horses. Inbreeding will be the natural cause of extinction unless effort is made to raise the necessary funds to enlarge and maintain the physical needs of these magnificent animals that have become a treasure. To manage and maintain the herd, Karen McCalpin, director of the CWHF and museum, has started a "Save A Wild Mustang When You Marry" program. Couples who would like to help save a dying breed can purchase memberships to Corolla Wild Horse Fund for your guests in lieu of favors. It's a meaningful way of "giving back" as well as raising awareness to the needs of this herd. To learn more about memberships, contact Karen McCalpin at director@CorollaWildHorses.com or visit CorollaWildHorses.com for a full overview.  All horse images online and within the walls of the museum are Mary Basnight Photography.

The above excerpt is from the article "Charitable Outer Banks Wedding Favors" on outerbanks.weddings.com. To see the full article and Mary Basnight's beautiful photography click here.