St. Luke’s Sophomore Launches Nonprofit Animal Rescue

Murphy Levesque, a sophomore at St. Luke’s, is bringing the school’s mission to life with her commitment to serve as the co-founder of Hidden Gem Animal Rescue — an Easton-based nonprofit focused on giving animals a second chance to live their very best lives.

It all began four years ago when Levesque and her horseback riding instructor, Logan Allison, rescued a pregnant cat from a feral cat colony. Fast forward to today, and Hidden Gem Animal Rescue has blossomed from a backyard operation into an official organization with 501c3 status. The rescue, spearheaded by the dynamic duo, has extended its love and care to over 100 animals, ranging from cats, dogs, horses, and even a fawn.

Levesque discovered her passion for service at the age of 11. However, the journey came with its challenges. Juggling the responsibilities of a busy student and two-sport athlete, she quickly learned that operating an animal rescue involved more than just saving lives.

"Running an organization as important as an animal rescue came with great pressure and responsibility," said Levesque. "Not only did I need to ensure the very best care for each of my furry friends, but I also needed to manage finances, legal processes, donations, communications, and promotions."

Amidst the challenges, she found unwavering support within her St. Luke's community. Last spring, Kate Parker-Burgard, Director of Community Connections, invited Levesque to her Service Seminar Class to share information about her nonprofit and to solicit ideas and feedback from students who had been working on their class service projects.

“The class used a protocol to consider her challenges, and we had a robust conversation that gave Murphy several ideas and a lot of encouragement for her work,” said Parker-Burgard. “Since then, other students (and faculty, too) have started following Hidden Gem on social media and have jumped in to help with fundraising. Most recently, a group of students came together to host a bake sale for a dog who needed medical care to be transported up from Texas.”

Whether it was guidance from students, fundraising assistance, or leadership skills training, the SLS community has played a pivotal role in the success of Hidden Gem Animal Rescue.

"Being a part of the St. Luke's community has been an incredible experience," Levesque said, reflecting on the invaluable support she received.

As the rescue continues to thrive, Levesque invites everyone to join her cause. You can learn more about animals up for adoption and ways to support Hidden Gem Animal Rescue on their website and follow them on Instagram. Every animal deserves a loving home, and every act of kindness and service makes a difference.