Hope for the Pack

An Art and Fundraising Campaign for Mission: Wolf

Women Rising Wild, in Collaboration with Snow Lion Studios, Launches 45-Day Fundraiser Featuring a Signed Artist-in-Residence Watercolor Print to Support Mission: Wolf’s Wildfire Response

As the Aspen Acres Fire continues to threaten the mountains of southcentral Colorado, Women Rising Wild is inviting the public to stand with the wolves through Hope for the Pack: An Art and Fundraising Campaign for Mission: Wolf, a 45-day fundraising campaign benefiting wildfire response and emergency preparedness efforts at the sanctuary.

The campaign features an original signed watercolor and one-of-a-kind print with a certificate of authenticity created by artist Debbie Marcinkowski of Snow Lion Studios, who served as Artist-in-Residence with Women Rising Wild last summer at Mission: Wolf, a sanctuary for rescued wolves built on compassion, conservation, and a deep commitment to honoring the wild spirit of the species.

During her residency, Debbie listened to the land, witnessed the wolves, and created a breathtaking watercolor portrait of Arrow, one of Mission: Wolf’s most beloved ambassador wolves.

Describing her Artist-in-Residence experience, Debbie heartfully explicated:
“I had a cherished opportunity to spend time at Mission: Wolf last summer and came to the experience with old ideas, an uncertain impression of these wild creatures, and deep curiosity. Our group of women was fortunate to spend time with founders Tracy and Kent, the horses, and the wolves, and my perception shifted to one of wonder and respect – for both the animals and for the guiding principles that lead the sanctuary’s mission. My intrigue with Arrow, a wolf I never met, led to my watercolor painting based on one of Mission: Wolf’s striking photos. To me, the intensity – and something far beyond that – in his eyes reached deeply into my new relation to the wolves and to myself. I hope that the contribution of this painting will compel support for the remarkable work of the sanctuary, particularly during this time of extensive needs around emergency and evacuation preparations due to current wildfires threatening the land and its inhabitants.”

Arrow, a magnificent black-phase gray wolf, arrived to Mission: Wolf as a young pup in 2009 when he and seven other wolves needed a permanent sanctuary. For fifteen years, his confident presence, independent spirit, and unmistakably wild nature helped educate thousands of visitors about wolves, challenging misconceptions and inspiring a deeper appreciation for these remarkable animals.

Arrow passed away in November 2024, but his legacy continues through the countless people whose lives he touched and inspires to this day.

Now complete, Debbie’s watercolor, titled “Exhale: Letting go of centuries,” portrays Arrow standing boldly in a peaceful winter landscape. The piece is 13.5 x 10.5 inches unframed and 22 x 18 inches framed.

The painting has taken on an especially meaningful role as Mission: Wolf faces one of the most significant challenges in its history. 

While supporters have been praying for rain to help protect the sanctuary from wildfire, Debbie’s painting offers a powerful vision of hope—a landscape transformed by cool skies, moisture, and renewal. The snow and the wolf depicted in the painting serve as a reminder that nature can bring unexpected moments of grace even during difficult seasons. 

The Aspen Acres Fire has grown to more than 100,000 acres, prompting Mission: Wolf to undertake extraordinary wildfire preparations. More than one hundred fire-mitigation goats are helping establish defensible space around the sanctuary and neighboring properties. Staff, former volunteers, emergency responders, and local law enforcement are working tirelessly to prepare for every possibility, including identifying a long-term evacuation location, constructing secure mobile wolf enclosures, upgrading emergency equipment, and coordinating daily with wildfire officials.

Every decision is guided by one priority: the safety and well-being of the staff, volunteers, and wolves.

Women Rising Wild created Hope for the Pack to provide immediate financial support for these critical emergency needs while honoring Arrow’s legacy and the ongoing work of Mission: Wolf.

How to Participate

From August 1 through September 14, 2026, supporters of the sanctuary are invited to join Hope for the Pack: An Art and Fundraising Campaign for Mission: Wolf by making a direct contribution to Mission: Wolf to grow financial resources for wildfire response, emergency preparedness efforts, and general use.

Become a Guardian of the Pack — $60+ Sustaining Member Donation

Every supporter matters.

Donors who become “sustaining members” and contribute $5 or more per month to Mission: Wolf will receive, as a heartfelt thank-you, a limited-edition digital keepsake of an ambassador wolf, photographed by Jennifer MacNiven during her Artist-in-Residence experience with Women Rising Wild.

These supporters become part of a community committed to protecting wolves, preserving wild spaces, and ensuring Mission: Wolf has the resources needed during this critical time.

Make a Legacy Gift — $500+ Donation

Supporters contributing $500 or more will be recognized as Legacy Guardians of the Pack and will be eligible for consideration as the campaign’s highest-impact donor.

At the conclusion of the 45-day campaign,  a one-of-a-kind, signed, 13.5 x 10.5 inch, archival print copy of Debbie’s watercolor of Arrow will be presented with a certificate of authenticity as a gift of appreciation to the highest verified donor whose generosity provided the greatest level of direct support to Mission: Wolf.

The original watercolor will be gifted to Kent Webber for his nearly 40 years of dedication as director of Mission: Wolf.

This campaign is not a raffle or drawing. The artwork is not awarded by chance. Instead, it is a meaningful expression of gratitude recognizing charitable contributions with the greatest impact for Mission: Wolf and the wolves in its care.

Donation Instructions

To participate:

1. Make your donation directly to Mission: Wolf through their official website or via our Facebook Fundraiser page. 

2. Email your donation confirmation to:
   info at women rising wild dot org

3. For your privacy and security, please remove or redact any private financial information from your receipt or confirmation. Your name, donation amount, and donation date must remain visible for verification.
4. Donations must be received and verified before the campaign closing date to qualify for recognition levels and consideration as the highest-impact donor.

Every donation—large or small—helps provide critical resources for:

• wildfire preparedness,
• emergency veterinary care,
• evacuation readiness,
• transportation,
• safety equipment,
• habitat protection,
• and the continued care of the wolves at Mission: Wolf.

Together, we can honor Arrow’s legacy and help protect the pack.

A Message from Women Rising Wild

“This campaign is about much more than a painting,” said Melissa Lynn Reed, founder of Women Rising Wild and host for the Artist-in-Residence program. “It is about supporting the incredible people who have dedicated their lives to protecting wolves, and reminding our community that hope can inspire meaningful action. I am very grateful for the work of Kent, Tracy, and the staff and volunteers of Mission: Wolf. And I am grateful for the wolves. Mission: Wolf is a special place built by special people. It is an honor and joy to help! Through art, connection, and generosity, we can stand together for the wild. We can stand in love and support for Mission: Wolf.”

Throughout the 45-day campaign, Women Rising Wild will share stories about Arrow, Debbie’s artistic journey, updates from Mission: Wolf, and opportunities for the public to learn more about wolf conservation and the sanctuary’s ongoing wildfire response.

Together, we can help ensure Mission: Wolf has the resources needed to protect its wolves today while preserving this extraordinary sanctuary for generations of wolves and people to come.

Artist’s Reflections

Campaign Information

Campaign Name:
Hope for the Pack: An Art Campaign for Mission

Campaign Dates:
August 1 – September 14, 2026

Beneficiary:
Mission: Wolf

Featured Artwork:
Original signed watercolor of Arrow and one-of-a-kind archival print by Debbie Marcinkowski, Snow Lion Studios, Women Rising Wild Artist-in-Residence

Guardian of the Pack Recognition:
Sustaining donors who give $60+/year receive a limited-edition digital keepsake photograph of a Mission: Wolf ambassador.

Legacy Guardian Recognition:
$500+ donors become eligible as the highest-impact donor. The signed watercolor print will be gifted to the highest verified donor as an expression of appreciation for their extraordinary support.

Donate:
Donate directly through Mission: Wolf’s official website or via our Facebook Fundraiser page.

Verification Email:
info at women rising wild dot org

For campaign updates, follow Women Rising Wild on Facebook and visit:

www.womenrisingwild.org

For more information about this campaign, contact Melissa at Women Rising Wild. Visit missionwolf.org to learn more about the sanctuary and to donate today.

Beasts in the Garden
Half Day Retreat
Boulder, Colorado
Sunday June 9, 2024

Join Women Rising Wild on June 9 for this playful staycation we call Beasts in the Garden Half Day Retreat. Put on your fanciest sundress and bring along your mud boots for a day of nature connection, sisterhood, and delicious sensory delights. We will begin our time together with mindful movement, welcome activities, and meditation to open our hearts and bodies. Next, we will carpool and caravan from south Boulder to The Golden Hoof Farm for an educational tour and playshop with the animals. Here is where we will need our boots, sunhat, and appropriate outer layers for the weather. After our adventure on the farm we head to Dushanbe Teahouse for Ritual Tea Service. We will come full circle with sacred sister time and farewells at the park where we began our day. Continue reading for more information about The Golden Hoof and Dushanbe Teahouse.
Ready to join us? Have questions? To learn more about this event schedule a phone call or visit the registration page to confirm your reservation for Beasts in the Garden.
Investment: This all inclusive half-day retreat is $120.
The deposit is $25. Balance is due one week prior to our event. Registering with a girlfriend? Select Bring-A-Friend Discount when you reserve your space and you each save $10.

The Golden Hoof is a private, 2000 acre Regenerative Slow Food Farm headquartered in east Boulder, Colorado. Their aim is to provide healthy food for local consumption. The farm is holistically managed using methods inspired by nature’s self-sustaining ecosystems. The focus is creating the highest quality, most nutrient dense foods available while creating the healthiest, most resilient soils possible. Their goal is threefold. They seek to produce a Healthy Ecosystem, Happy Animals, and Healing Food.​ We will take part in an educational tour of the property and enjoy an animal meet and greet playshop with staff.

History of Afternoon Tea and Dushanbe Teahouse: The Dushanbe Teahouse located in downtown Boulder describes the custom of afternoon tea as “a wonderful way to spend time with a cherished friend while taking a respite from the hectic pace of today’s busy world.” The ritual of Afternoon Tea is credited to Anna, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford. As was customary during the later 1700′s and early 1800′s, people would eat a large breakfast in the morning, a petite lunch, and then conclude meals with a substantial dinner around 8:00pm. The Duchess, described a “sinking feeling” during the afternoon, and began to request tea and cakes to tide her over. Soon, she invited her friends to share the ritual with her, and it quickly became a fashionable, treasured custom. Accommodations for gluten free and dairy free guests are available upon request.

The Dushanbe Teahouse was gifted to Boulder from our sister city in Tajikistan. More than 40 artisans created the decorative elements of the teahouse, including its hand-carved and hand-painted ceiling, tables, stools, columns, and exterior ceramic panels. Often these skills are handed down from generation to generation within families and the brilliance of the crafts is evident in the beauty of the space.

Ready to Register? Click Here to join us for Beasts in the Garden Day Retreat. The deposit to hold your space is $25. Balance is due 7 days prior to our event.