| Issue # 24 - August 2, 2010 | |
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Dear Friends,
We've had a busy summer and can't believe that Fall is just around the corner!
With Fall programs ahead, we need your help to make those programs come together. We have a great group of volunteers to support the programs and now we need your financial support to supplement the grants we've received this year and help us fund two programs this Fall.
Simply click the big, blue DONATE link at the left and in a few seconds you'll be helping to give the gift of transformation-by-horses to troubled, abused and/or neglected children in our community.
Read on to find out what we've been up to, what our kids are saying and how to get FREE tickets to see an up and coming local band, The Whitney Myer Band.
Sincerely, Deb Conrad Executive Director Pro Tem
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NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND SUMMER PROGRAM
Thanks to the efforts of Candia Tolbert,
program director at No Child Left Behind and the dedicated case workers
and foster parents, we've been able to serve a group of kids who are in
foster care and have attachment and relationship issues.
Our
goal in this program has been to offer opportunities to bond with the
horses, with each other and with us as we present them with fun
challenges designed to encourage working together and relying on each
other for problem-solving as well as creative-thinking.
This
group varies in age and emotional development and consists of up to 15
children at a time. In order to offer appropriate experiential learning
for this group, we switched up our game plan from using our natural
horsemanship model to a program where playing games is in an integral
part of the learning process.
We've
also seen the kids become more attached to the horses over time. They
were not all immediately attached which is what we traditionally observe
in our other programs.
During
our fourth session on 7/28, one boy who has been reserved and hesitant
with the horses grabbed his helmet and said, "I'm going straight to
Otis!" Another boy exclaimed, "I want Dudley!" We take this as a good
sign that the horses are naturally doing their "job" of creating a bond
with the humans in their herd.
We want to thank all of the folks involved in making this special program happen! |
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Recently Received Feedback from a Spring Program Participant Horses for the Spirit is an amazing program. It lets horses and humans bond. This program let me find friends, and it made me a better person. The games are fun and all the horses are great. I had Henry and he was a good companion. Horses for the Spirit is a wonderful way to find yourself. I really recommend it to everyone. The thing I didn't like was the cold weather. Overall, I loved Horses for the Spirit. -- H.M., Social Services Program, Spring 2010
(It was ridiculously cold this Spring, especially on the graduation day for this program. These kids amaze us with their willingness to tolerate so much just to be with their horse partners! - DC)
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STOP BY AND SAY HELLO AUGUST 20-22, 2010
We have a booth at the Wild Horse & Burro Expo again this year -- stop by and say hello! This is a great annual event, so don't miss it!
Location: Reno Livestock Events Center
Dates: Friday, August 20 to Sunday August 22
Times: 8 am to 5 pm on Friday & Saturday/8 am to approx. 3 pm on Sunday
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WINE & SPIRITS FUNDRAISER COMMITTEE - WE NEED YOU!
Our Second Annual Wine & Spirits Fundraiser is November 4, 2010.
The first year was a great success and we want to make this year even better.
That means We Need You!
Whether you've volunteered for us before or not, if you want to help make the 2010 Wine & Spirits Fundraiser a smashing success, then now is the time to step up!
If you can commit time to helping put this event together, please reply to this email as soon as possible.
The committee, headed by Deb Conrad, needs people to help find a venue, find raffle and/or silent auction donations, secure business sponsorships, help with logistics and last but not least, get people to the event. If you can help with any area of the event, please let us know!
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AUGUST 15, FACILITY CLEAN UP - ALL HANDS ON DECK!
The weeds are taking over the facility! Garbage has blown into the ravines! Minor repairs are popping up all over the place!
It's time for a facial for our facility and we need as many folks as we can get to make short work of a big job!
When: Sunday, August 15, 9 a.m. to noon
Location: 9500 N. Virginia St.
What to Wear: Long sleeves, gloves, long pants and good shoes -- the weeds are pretty nasty!
What to Bring: Any yard care tools you think might come in handy!
What We'll Provide: Beverages and lots of good snacks to keep you going!
Reply to this email to sign up for a little hard work with good people!
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FREE TICKETS TO
THE WHITNEY MYER BAND
CD RELEASE PARTY
Horses for the Spirit had the distinct pleasure of having the Whitney Myer Band set up and play a semi-acoustic set next to us at the Art Paws & Bark Fest event on July 18.
Young Whitney Myer backed by her father Scott on guitar and her uncle Fred (long-time supporter of Horses for the Spirit) knocked our socks off.
They are a mix of soul/funk/pop music and Whitney's vocals are super smokey and sweet. We were amazed at her talent and the way the band grooved with her in just the right way. Wow! Reno's got talent alright!
Horses for the Spirit has 50 FREE tickets to their all-ages CD Release party at the Knitting Factory downtown Reno on August 26th. The party kicks off at 6:30 pm.
Bring your family and friends for a great evening of free entertainment and join us as we help pack the house for this great band!
Reply to this email with your name and email address and the number of free tickets you'd like to this event.
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THANK YOU!
We want to thank Circus Circus Reno
for allowing us to park in their gated parking area during the Reno
Rodeo Parade. It made it very easy for those of us with trucks and
trailers to park and unload and get ready!
We also want to thank BJ's BBQ for
giving us a really great deal on meals for our kids and volunteers at
the NV of the West event in May. Our budget for program expenses is not
unlimited so when businesses offer us discounts we really appreciate it
and it helps our funds go further.
We
couldn't do what we do without support from foundations and individuals
in our community. We are grateful for the support and know that the
kids who have been able to participate in our programs because of your
financial support are very thankful too!
2010 GRANT FOR $6,000 FROM AN ANONYMOUS FOUNDATION
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We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter and encourage you to send it to friends, family and colleagues who might be interested in Horses for the Spirit. Please send us an email if you have any trouble viewing this newsletter or if you have questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Robbie Maus, Board President, Program Director, Equine Manager
Erin De Los Santos, Board Secretary
Pam Olivieri, Board Treasurer, Volunteer Liaison
Deb Conrad, Board Member, Executive Director Pro Tem | |
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