Meet Mercy’s Meadow Members
Elliot Roseman
My journey with Mercy For Animals began with my late wife, Rena. She selected Mercy For Animals as one of her top animal rights organizations and opened my eyes to the incalculable cruelty of factory farming. I could never look at a farmed animal the same way again! Mercy For Animals made Rena the posthumous recipient of their 2019 Legacy Award, which I gratefully accepted for her at the 20th anniversary gala.
I also worked closely with Mercy For Animals to direct the generous funds that Rena provided in her estate, including hiring legal interns to strengthen the fight against unjust animal laws and ag-gag regulations as well as expanding investigations, which Rena cared deeply about.
An additional pillar of my commitment to Mercy For Animals is based on the horrific environmental impacts of CAFOs. I have a long career in renewables, sustainability, and climate change. So Mercy For Animals’ Transfarmation work deeply resonates with me. The health and well-being of so many species, including humans, depend on our winning the environmental fight.
If I’m going to support an organization today and in the future—even after I’m gone—I want to know that they can ameliorate suffering and make the world a more beneficent place. Mercy For Animals’ multifaceted strategy and track record give me every confidence that with the right support, the organization will continue to do so, and that’s why I have made a long-term investment in Mercy For Animals.
Shirley and Bud Coffey
Shirley Coffey wasn’t afraid to walk up to a group of Washington crab fishers and have a conversation about how they were mistreating crabs as she witnessed them haul the animals onto the docks from the boat.
No animal was too small for Shirley’s compassion. Flies were not swat at but let outside.
Shirley was spirited and smart. Bud, her husband, was more reserved but used his influence and spare time to lobby for animal protection laws. The two fiercely loved a white poodle named Kelsey.
Before they passed away, Bud and Shirley reflected deeply on the legacy they wished to leave. They determined their passion and hearts had always been with animals.
Shirley tirelessly researched animal protection organizations, focusing on their effectiveness and the number of animals impacted by their work. This focus led Shirley to bequeath a generous $800,000 to Mercy For Animals.
As she received hospice care, Shirley recognized that she wouldn’t see the funds used but said her heart would always be with Mercy For Animals’ brave investigators.
Bernadette Sonefeld
Bernadette Sonefeld was drawn to animal rights activism in the 1980s and has been actively involved ever since. She has participated in demonstrations for animal welfare and against fur, rodeos, and wild horse roundups. Bernadette also served as secretary and education outreach coordinator for the Vegetarian Society of Colorado. She is a staunch defender of animals and a dedicated Mercy For Animals supporter. She has generously decided to support Mercy For Animals through an IRA contribution as a way of continuing her activism.
Q – How did you become involved in animal protection?
A – The inspiration came to me in the spring of 1982 on a trip from an anti-vivisection rally at UC-Davis with a friend of mine. At a gas station, we encountered a semi-truck loaded with cows on their way to slaughter. My friend went over to the cows and talked to them. She was telling them not to be afraid. It took many miles of chatting for her to convince me that the animals being used for food were not being treated well, but she eventually connected the dots for me over the rest of the trip home.
Q – What part of Mercy For Animals’ work is closest to your heart?
A – Though I try to stay away from news about animal cruelty because I find it too depressing, the education and outreach work that you do is important to me. I once saw Mercy For Animals at a vegetarian conference in Denver and was impressed by the presentation.
Q – What change for farmed animals would you most like to see?
A – I would like to see no animals brought into existence for the purpose of serving people. Since most humans do not know how to humanely treat animals, it would be better that there were no animals brought into existence. The only animals I would like to see are wild animals in protected habitats.
Elisa Wolfe
Elisa Wolfe credits her father for her kind heart. A philanthropist who has supported many worthy causes, Elisa grew up surrounded by loving family members who set a great example for how to treat others. Her father, a fellow philanthropist, taught her the value of leaving a legacy of good.
According to Elisa, “It’s just a wonderful thing to do, being able to give to charities or organizations or places like Mercy For Animals money to do what they do, to help in this world.”
Of all her philanthropic endeavors, including those in the art world, Elisa derives the most joy from the impact she makes for animals. She first became involved with Mercy For Animals in 2001 after a tornado hit a factory farm in Croton, Ohio, and she saw Mercy For Animals staff on the news working to rescue trapped chickens. She connected with Mercy For Animals’ founder, Milo Runkle, and has remained a supporter throughout the years. She hopes that through her bequest, Mercy For Animals will increase its capacity to educate and inspire people to have compassion for farmed animals.
“If anything can be done to influence people, to become aware of the reality of what is going on, that is the goal,” Elisa shared. “We want people to be made aware of the reality of what is going on with these animals, of the horrific way they’re treated, raised, and living.”
Elisa lives in Granville, Ohio, where she provides a home for many animals, including dogs, cats, donkeys, and goats.