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Hoofbeats & Heartbeats
The bi-monthly newsletter for the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre
Issue No. 14
May/June 2011
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Silpada Jewellery Sale
As a Silpada Customer, you have access to the biggest jewellery box in the industry, filled with looks you'll love and quality that lasts! The Silpada Designs Representative will have jewellery for display and sale at the Year-End Horse Show on Saturday, June 25 from Noon to 4pm. There will also be a jewellery party from 6 to 8pm for Boarders, volunteers and staff. Be sure to bring your friends. Refreshments will be served! In return, WELCA will receive up to 30% of sales in jewellery for the silent auction at the Hoofbeats & Heartbeats Gala Fundraiser, November 12, 2011.
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Volunteer to Help with Gala FundraiserDo you enjoy parties? Decorating? Shopping? Horses? Have we got a great idea for you! Join the Gala Fundraising Committee. You can choose from a variety of jobs including: hosting, decorating, sponsorship and donations, ticket sales, promotions. Contact the office for more information 780-435-3597.
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Greetings from the Chairperson
Welcome to Hoofbeats and Heartbeats!
 WELCA is one of the 19,000 organizations in Alberta that depend on volunteer support. We have fantastic volunteers, and I can't say enough about the loyalty, commitment, and productivity of the people who volunteer their time and skills to help keep the organization and the Equine Centre running effectively. But just because we've got a great bunch of volunteers doesn't mean that we can't be looking for even more help.
The latest Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating was conducted in 2007. The survey concluded that almost 1.5 million citizens of Alberta are volunteers. That represents 52% of Albertans aged 15 and over. The average Alberta volunteer donates 172 hours of time each year. Another interesting figure from the survey is that 44% of the people who don't volunteer say that it's because no one ever asked them. I'm going to test that figure by asking our newsletter readers to spread the word about our need to develop a pool of people for volunteer help in a specific area.
WELCA's agreement with the City specifies that we are responsible for maintenance of the Equine Centre, so we spend a lot of time and money fixing and maintaining things. We could really use qualified carpenters, plumbers, and electricians who are able to volunteer some of their time to help with specific projects or general facility maintenance. The time required could be as small as a few hours, or as much as an individual is willing to commit.
If you know someone with the right qualifications and some spare time, it would be great if you could ask them if they'd be willing to help at the Equine Centre. Their efforts could make a lot of difference to the horses and people who use the facility, and they would be contributing to the ongoing operation and upgrading of a very unique Edmonton resource. They would be working in a friendly, welcoming environment, and they would certainly be greatly appreciated.
To get involved, all they need to do is call our Volunteer Coordinator, Sylvia Ziolkowski at 435-3597.
Gord Blinston
Chairperson, WELCA
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Hoofbeats & Heartbeats Gala
WELCA's first gala fundraiser set for November 12, 2011
 Join the Martin Kerr Band at the Enjoy Centre on Saturday, November 12, 2011 for WELCA's dinner and auction in support of our new riding centre. Tickets are $275/person and are available through the office. Please call 780-435-3597.
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Lesson Program News
Student Year End Show The Year End Show is set for June 25 and 26 in the indoor arena. Click here for your entry form or ask one of the TAs.
Advance Registration for 2011/12 Riding students in the Horsemanship program will once again have the opportunity to register for the 2011/12 program in advance. Registration packages are available by clicking here. Registration Form
Summer Riding Lessons We are offering group lessons for current Level 1-6 students on either Monday or Wednesday evenings throughout July and August. Sign-up sheets are on the whiteboard by the tack room. There will be two classes per night one at 6:30 and one at 7:30. Once we have an idea of who is interested, we will determine which level will be offered when. You do not have to ride all 8 weeks, but we do have to have a minimum of 4 per class to run. Click here to download the registration form.
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Amiskwaciy & WELCA
 WELCA Board members, Gord Blinston and Linda Lipinski, were special guests at the Amiskwaciy Spring Feast and Open House on May 19. Amiskwaciy and WELCA are partnering on a pilot project called "Horse-ology."
Linda told us, "Gord and I were really pleased that we went as it was a great opportunity to talk with people from the school and the EPSB. We only went for an hour but it was a great turnout, CBC was there and may have done a story. The Principal made mention and a big thank you to the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre for the program that the kids are involved in this year and the one coming up next year."
"We had a front row table with the Vice President of the EPSB, Principals of other high schools, the supervisor of special Education programs and Sandra Woitas who is in charge of the EPSB foundation for special funding for early childhood intervention. The meal was great, the dancing was artistic and captivating but sadly we didn't have a camera so no pictures. It's great that we're working with Felicia and I hope more liasons keep happening with the Amiskwaciy." |
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2011 Calendar of Events
Programs, Shows and Events Scheduled at the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre and Show Grounds |
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Writers Contest
 Congratulations to Shayla Davis!In the April newsletter, we invited riding students to tell us what riding at Whitemud means to them. We received 10 entries and on Monday, May 1, all of their names were put into a helmet for a draw. Shayla Davis, Thursday 4:30, had her name drawn and is the proud winner of an iPod Shuffle. All of the entries will be featured in a multi-media presentation at the November 12 gala. |
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