A local non profit has raised enough money to open a barn in honor of a woman killed in a hit-and-run incident in 2017.

Friends of Exeter Animals raised about $30,000 for Sarah's Barn, named after 27-year-old Sarah Balmforth of Exeter.

In addition to the opening, Stand Up For Animals of Westerly presented a $7,000 check at the unveiling on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.

President Joyce Bastien said, "In Exeter, we don't just get cats and dogs. It's a rural community, we have a lot of animals, and we always said we need a barn."

Family and friends told NBC 10 that the barn will help them keep her memory alive, at a shelter where Sarah spent a lot of time.

"It gives me something positive to look forward to," said Sarah's mother, Laura Blaney. "That part of it has been a very long journey for me."

While the barn is far from complete, those who came out for Sarah said that she would have been pleased to see the barn being built.

"She was the girl you called if cows got loose on Route 95, which did happen," Blaney said.

Among loved ones at Saturday's opening was Sarah's niece, Madison Caruana, who said that she had a large influence on her.

"She bought me my first pair of cowgirl boots, so she was a true cowgirl and it's pretty cool to see this barn built for her," Caruana said. she really got me into riding horses and I've been fortunate enough to stay in the equestrian industry and it's all because of her."

Sarah was killed by a car on South Road in Exeter while she was walking her dog in July 2017. The driver took off and Sarah's body wasn't found until the next morning.

Ultimately, 27-year-old Shannon Holden of Coventry turned herself in and was charged with failure to stop at an accident, death resulting. She was sentenced to serve four years in prison in August 2021.

Those who want to contribute to the funding toward Sarah's Barn can drop off a check to Friends of Exeter Animals or donate to the GoFundMe.