Dear Participants and Supporters
It has been said that we never do anything for the last time without sadness of heart. At our July meeting, the Board of Directors voted to close our program. I support their decision. Although we have assembled an amazing group of individuals - staff, board, riders and their families - we have no permanent home and no real possibility of acquiring one in the near future. For half of our 10 year existence at Radio Ranch we were able to connect with another non-profit (CEILO) which charged us minimum rent and gave us full autonomy to run our program. We came to realize the importance of those factors in both the day to day operation and the long term growth and expansion of HorsePower!. The current economic down turn has taken a toll on non-profits everywhere. Funding is precarious and missionary zeal will only get you so far.
But my oh my how far we've come! In establishing Thurston's County's first NARHA center a decade ago we provided therapeutic riding for hundreds of children with special needs. We met and trained many hundreds more of the most selfless volunteers on the planet. They walked miles in circles and on trails. They ran with horses! Their strong hands held their riders close and hugged them tight. They picked rocks from pastures and poo from stalls. They swept and cleaned and smiled and encouraged. The horse's strong backs provided the therapy. But the backbone of the volunteers kept us going.
The families of our riders offered support by simply entrusting their children to our care and "getting" the human-animal bond and the joys and benefits it offers.
Our staff, many caring and competent people over the years, put much thought, time, energy, and heart into their work. They could never be adequately compensated for the hours they put in. When love is one's labor, monetary gain is not part of the equation.
Special recognition must be given to Lahni Allen, our Executive Director for the past 2 and a half years. Tirelessly she side-walked, attended countless meetings, wrote grants, spoke at community gatherings and served as liaison between staff and board. Because of her we always operated in the black. She did it all, and she did it well.
We would be remiss not to thank the individuals, businesses and foundations in the South Puget Sound, who understood the value of therapeutic riding and gave generously in support of the program with financial gifts, gifts of pro bono services, and promotional support. We could not have continued to serve, or to provide scholarships for riders in need, without their support.
So, on behalf of the board: Jan Carlton, Adam Cramer, Michele Shields, John Skeen, and Gracie Sudano I say to our riders/families, volunteers, staff, and community supporters - thank you, thank you, thank you!
Happy Trails, Jill