The lifeblood of Windridge is its volunteers. Throughout the week, adult and teen volunteers help Windridge instructors, program participants and horses as needed. 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. Volunteers are taught by Windridge’s instructors and progress through three proficiency levels. 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 thirty 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.
Murals for our indoor arena: Windridge needs new mural paintings; two murals in all. Ideas include scenes of horse’s grazing, volunteerism, rider’s class times, hippotherapy sessions or of classes in which program participants learn to drive a horse-drawn carriage.
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.
Educational Cabinet Replaced: Windridge’s educational cabinet is in need of repair anyone willing to build a new cabinet to house our activities used during therapeutic riding sessions. If you wish to assist with this project please call Windridge’s main office at (903) 797-2414 for details.
Scrapbookers: Windridge needs your help to put in the many items we have for our scrapbooks.
Jewelry Makers: Horse hair key chains are being made as gifts and Windridge is in need of volunteer assistance to complete them.
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
Debbie Hays
Jan Lockhart
Elton Simpson
Tom Hays
Donna Sallee
Hollie Gannon
Susan Pope
Andrea Reynolds
Aleatha Nall
Jennifer Stephens
Bill Pope
Glenda Mann
Brandy Armstrong
Heidi Burrows
Michelle Holloway
Spirit of Giving is established to;
Preserve the Past, Celebrate the Present, Ensure the Future
Windridge’s planned giving committee was established to encourage, receive and manage major gifts such as charitable trusts, gift annuities and bequests that would support Windridge’s therapeutic horsemanship programs.
These gifts include:
Gifts of cash
Gifts of real estate
Gifts of personal property
Added tax benefits include:
Gifts of Appreciated Securities (Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds)
Gifts of Real Estate
Gifts of Oil & Gas Royalty Interests
Other considerations:
Name Windridge as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy?
Name Windridge as a beneficiary of your annuity or IRA?
Name Windridge as a beneficiary in your will?
For some, a more sophisticated strategy might be a better fit:
Charitable Remainder Trust
Charitable Lead Trust
Gift Annuities
Or, a donor may want to help fulfill Windridge’s promise by:
Endow an Instructor’s Employment Position
Endow a Semester for a Windridge Participant
Endow the Support of a Horse
Planned Giving Committee
Jim McClain
Stewart Green
Randy Monk
Mike Smith
Mark Boon
Sammy Dishman
If you would like to become a committee member call Randy Monk, CPA Windridge’s Board Treasurer at (903) 297-8297.