The lifeblood of Windridge is its volunteers. Throughout the week, adult and teen volunteers help Windridge instructors, program participants and horses as needed.
Since 1989 to 2019 volunteers have given over 99,904 hours of service to Windridge. If we take an average of $5 an hour for minimum wage over the 30 years…The community has donated the equivalent of $499,520 to make class times happen. The service hours mentioned do not include the countless numbers of churches, civic organizations and schools who donate their time to complete projects for Windridge.
Volunteers perform many functions.
Volunteers . . .
care for the horses
prepare the horses for class times
lead a horse in a participant’s class time
walk alongside the horse, as a sidewalker, to support a program participant as needed
support program participant’s in skill development
clean stalls, help with odd jobs or assist office personnel
Adult and youth volunteers do not need experience around horses or children and adults with disabilities. Volunteer skills are taught by Windridge’s instructors.This training helps the volunteer to gain the knowledge and skills that will benefit a program participant, other volunteers, instructors and horses.
Adults and teen volunteers who wish to give back to their community through their volunteer efforts at Windridge should contact Debbie, Windridge’s Volunteer Coordinator, at 903.797.2414.
Windridge has a beautiful covered facility and resides on forty-three acres. Outer lying areas include wooded trails, a sensory trail, an obstacle course and pastures. Inevitably, there are various projects we need help with. If you want to help complete these projects please call Windridge 903.797.2414 and talk with Debbie, our Volunteer Coordinator.
There are many ways you can help. You could:
Fund the project
Volunteer to work on the project
Organize a group of volunteers to fund and work on the project
Windridge projects include:
Perimeter Pipe Fence: Windridge needs a perimeter fence built of pipe and smooth wire. Windridge has the pipe and wire. We need volunteers to set pipe posts and welders to weld the top rail onto the post. After the top rail is welded on top we need volunteers to help string smooth wire to complete the fence.
Animal Cut-outs for Windridge’s Trails: Create and paint animal cut-outs for our wooded trails.
Outdoor Arena Signs: Windridge is in need of 10 signs to display arena letters in our outdoor arena.
Scrapbookers: Windridge needs your help to put in the many items we have for our scrapbooks.
Horse & Rider, Windridge’s annual fundraiser and open house event, is managed effectively and efficiently by the men and women of Friends of Windridge.
Committee members have a sense of obligation, ethics, integrity, and excellence that is integral to the framework of Windridge. As committee members prepare for Horse & Rider they ask businesses and individuals to become event sponsors,to give a silent auction or raffle item donation. On the day of Horse & Rider, Friends of Windridge members manage the silent auction, raffle, promotional table and greet guests.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Friends of Windridge please call Windridge’s office number 903.797.2414 and speak with Dawn.
Year after year the following committee members give unselfishly of their time and energy. Their dedication and efforts are greatly appreciated by the board of directors, staff, program volunteers, program participants and their families as they fulfill a need that is vital to Windridge’s overall success.
Thank you Friends of Windridge!
Friends of Windridge Committee
Dawn Martin – Chairman
Debbie Bankston
Carolyn Russell
Denise Green
Stancy Simpson
Donna Sallee
Susan Pope
Andrea Reynolds
Aleatha Nall
Jennifer Stephens
Bill Pope
Glenda Mann
Jan Watters
Michelle Holloway