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(Photo: Program Director Devon Sachey with Rider Bonnie & Volunteers)
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Notes from the Executive Director
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Dear Hearts Friends & Family,
Most days I pull into the parking lot at Hearts deep in thought. I often have a to-do list in my head, and am running through all the things that need to be accomplished that week/day/hour. From checking in with staff, to following up with donors, to reviewing the status of invitations and events, to mundane operational things--bills, budgets, insurance and the like--let's just say I'm physically present, but my mind is often other places!
But last week was different. I pulled into Hearts and instead of putting my blinders on and heading straight into the office, I took a moment to look around. With all the rain we've had, it's easy to associate mud and clay and slick patches of muck with Hearts. But looking around I realized that preconception was a mistake.
Our Barn Manager and Program Director have been working diligently to ensure the horses and facility stay as dry and comfortable as possible. More pea gravel had been added to horse stalls for comfort and drainage; leaky roofs had been repaired (for equines and humans!); volunteers were moving efficiently from stall to stall mucking and cleaning buckets; the road and arenas had been dragged to reduce water buildup. Everyone was so happy to be out in the sunshine working with the horses--Hearts looked beautiful.
In that moment, it was like seeing it for the first time.
The buzzword I've heard at several non-profit events and lectures is about mindfulness; being present enough to create space in your life so you can recognize the important moments, both big and small. Every time I attend these events, I always have to inwardly smile, because so many organizations are struggling to find this "state of zen," while Hearts has been there for years!
All we do is celebrate the now--applaud the big and small moments--and embrace the achievements our 93 weekly participants make every day. How awesome is that?!
So get ready to celebrate with me--invitations to our first Barn Dance in eight years will be going out this month, and I hope you'll attend. We're excited to have "Caught Red Handed" a fantastic Country/Western band playing the event, and are planning to be line-dancing into the night. And if that's not enough, we'll be hosting a PATH Instructor certification course at the end of March, and wishing everyone a happy Spring Break!
So remember to be mindful, celebrate the now, and look around. It's well worth it!
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Hearts Closures
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Please note Hearts will be closed for lessons over Spring Break, March 27th through April 1st.
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Program Update
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This month, I'm thrilled to announce that Hearts has grown beyond what I ever hoped for us three years ago. Last month, we served 93 individuals through Therapeutic Riding, EFL, and Veteran services...
and we still have a waitlist! When I look at this number, I can't help but feel overwhelmed and excited... but mostly I feel like a proud parent.
This growth is a testament to the Hearts community on so many levels. It's a result of our participants and supporters who affectionately endorse Hearts; the countless volunteers who keep lessons fun, encouraging and safe; our wonderful instructors who provide compassionate and valuable lessons; and above all, the collective belief in our mission.
At the end of the day, I am most proud of the Hearts community for permeating our welcoming culture throughout Santa Barbara on such a grand scale. As many of you know, Hearts is a culture of learning, acceptance, and kind-heartedness. Where no question is considered silly, everyone's unique abilities are honored, and each moment is a teaching opportunity. It is this combined thirst for knowledge and the power of equine therapy that continues to make a significant impact on our community.
So thank you for being an integral part of Hearts creating positive change in the world, one stride at a time!
Program Director
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| Volunteer Update |
In nature, the only true constant is change. Just as quickly as the February rains came, in burst crisp mornings mixed with warm afternoons, then back to evening chill. Of course there are a few isolated showers here and there - all things in good time. Dry fields replaced with green grass for grazing - jackets being shed for volunteer tees. Spring is
almost
here.
With longer days just around the corner (March 12th to be exact), I find myself eager to train. In baseball there is spring training; at Hearts, volunteer training. Outside of our weekly Saturday volunteer trainings, I am taking the opportunity to train in the cross-ties with our teams. First stop, Thursday mornings. Thursday mornings are old hat to me. This is "my" volunteer shift. The shift I started on back in April, 2011. The reason I called Thursdays the "best day of my week" for two years running. What is it about training that is so important?
Training is a time to learn, for both teacher and student, and in this case, Volunteer Director and volunteers. When we train together, we all have the opportunity to grow, both individually and as a team.
My high points are witnessing first hand the effectiveness of our volunteer trainings, fluid communication between staff/instructors/team captains/volunteers, volunteer engagement, and a positive atmosphere. I find myself wondering, what can we do to improve the volunteer program in areas where we already excel? I genuinely feel I will benefit from this experience as much as anyone. For me, it is a time to both lead by example, and to experience Hearts once again from a volunteer perspective. Volunteers are the driving force behind this organization, and I look forward to sharing in the experience.
Volunteer Director
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| Eat Pizza & Support Hearts! |
Spring is here and a great time to eat fresh ingredients, like those at Blaze Pizza... and support Hearts!
On Wednesday, March 15, simply print or show this flyer on your phone and Hearts will receive 20% of all proceeds.
Order your pizza at Blaze in Five Points, Upper State Street:
3925 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA
805-681-7002
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| Barn Dance: Save the Date! |
Invitations go out this month and we anticipate the event will sell out, so please be sure to respond with your RSVP asap!
In addition to live band "Caught Red Handed," we will also have a gourmet catered BBQ, a silent auction, and plenty of fun!
So please save the date: Friday, April 28th at the Carriage Museum. If you own a business or are interested in providing silent auction items, p
lease
click here
for more information.
Remember, all proceeds benefit Hearts programs!
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| Heartsfelt Thanks |
Huge, huge thanks to the incredible team that worked the Tack & Tog sale on Saturday, February 25th. It takes quite a bit of planning, coordinating, and enthusiasm to haul a U-Haul full of saddles, bridles, blankets, boots and more to Earl Warren. Thank you to Tom Fauntelroy for sponsoring the U-Haul, Susan Akins for being our fearless leader, and the incredible team that supported her: Melinda Frowiss, Francis Hallinan, Joyce & Dick Falk, Sam & Gilda Winkelmeyer, Judy Copanas, Ellen Mojica, Debbie & Gary Welterlen, Dan Lang, Sandy Lovett and Duane Harsh.
This one day brings in approximately 10% of our annual revenue for Tack Shack, all of which supports scholarships for riders in need.
The Tack Shack is open every Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 9am to 12pm and by appointment. Just call for more information: 805-964-1519.
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Volunteers Needed... Join the Team!
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We are looking for additional support during the following times:
Tuesday midday shift (10:30am-2:30pm),
Thursday mornings (8:30am-12:30pm), and
Saturday mornings (8:30am-12:30pm).
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| Save the Date! |
MARCH
Mar. 8th: Orientation (5:30pm - 7:00pm)
Mar. 11th: Horsemanship & Sidewalking
Mar. 15th: Blaze Pizza Fundraiser (11:00am - 10:00pm)
Mar. 18th: Grooming & Tacking
Mar. 25th: Join-Up & Leading
Mar. 26 - Apr. 2nd: Spring Break, Hearts Closed
Mar. 31st - Apr. 3rd: OSWC
APRIL
Apr. 1st:
Grooming & Tacking
Apr. 5th:
Orientation (5:30pm - 7:00pm)
Apr. 8th: Horsemanship & Sidewalking
Apr. 11th: Team Captain Meeting
Apr. 15th: Join-Up & Leading
Apr. 19th: Orientation (5:30pm - 7:00pm)
Apr. 22nd: Horsemanship & Sidewalking
Apr. 23rd - 28th: Volunteer Appreciation Week
Apr. 28th: Barn Dance at the Carriage Museum
Apr. 29th: Grooming & Tacking
MAY
May 3rd: Orientation (5:30pm - 7:00pm)
May 6th: Horsemanship & Sidewalking
May 13th: Join-Up & Leading
May 17th: Orientation (5:30pm - 7:00pm)
May 20th: Horsemanship & Sidewalking/Camp Training I
May 27th: Grooming & Tacking
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