My Nonprofit Reviews

I started volunteering for Tomten in 2013, back when it was located in Massachusetts, a few miles from my home. It would be an understatement to say that I was impressed with Jenifer Vickery all those years ago. I remember volunteering on bitter cold winter days, on rainy and muddy fall days, and on sweltering summer days. After each long experience, I went home feeling good, but physically exhausted. Jen does this every single day, all year long, with no days off.

Animals are her number one priority in life. Even still, Jen is as much a people person as she is an animal person. Jen is every bit as gracious in person as she is on social media. She enthusiastically welcomes all volunteers and visitors with appreciation, courtesy, and respect. She engages with each and every person who comes to the sanctuary, whether they are there to distribute hay, haul wheelbarrows full of manure, or simply to meet the animals. She is a firm believer in educating the public about the personal history of every resident animal, as well as animals in general. Her transparency regarding the process by which she rescues needy animals to the resources required to care for them on a daily basis is both astounding and admirable.

I have visited Tomten in its current home of Haverhill, New Hampshire several times. It is always a pleasure to meet all the of animals, as well as to see Jen in action. She and her friendly volunteers do an amazing job of greeting people and making them feel welcome, to informing people of the intricacies of running the farm, to introducing people to these beautiful animals. It is evident that every single animal is unique and dear to them.

Jenifer is attempting to take on the collective responsibility of all human beings. If humans had only 1/1000 of the passion and love for animals that Jen does, there would be no more animal suffering in the world.

Jen believes not only in protecting any and all animals that she possibly can, but also in educating people and giving back to the community. She is truly the epitome of an exemplary human being. If you love and respect animals, then you love and respect Jen, and therefore, Tomten.

I give five stars, but honestly, Jenifer deserves all the stars in the galaxy for her selfless work.