Shout Out

RFJ sends a huge shout out and thank you to the Archie B. Teater Fund for Children with Disabilities in the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF) for granting us monies to provide equine assisted activities during spring session.  

"Archie B. Teater was an Idaho-born landscape painter. He was prolific and is estimated to have painted as many as 4,000 works. He died in 1978 and his estate established a nonprofit to benefit disabled children. The nonprofit transferred its assets to ICF in 1994 to create the Teater fund.

"Since then, the fund has provided more than $144,000 in grants to organizations throughout Idaho that serve disabled children. Proceeds from sales of Teater’s works go into the fund and several Teater paintings hang in ICF’s Boise office." (https://www.idcomfdn.org/ICF_History)

Spring on the Way

With the sun peaking through the clouds and abnormally warm temperatures around the valley most days, it seems as though spring is almost here!

Ride for Joy is excited that Spring Session starts in just a couple of weeks with a full schedule. The horses are ready to shed their winter coats and see their riders once again.

The barn is ready to be filled with smiles and laughter as we head in to the first session of 2018. Staff is working hard to prepare for great lessons, fundraising events, and good times.

Staff, volunteers, and donors gathered for our Annual Kick Off Party in January at Eagle River Coffee House in Eagle, Idaho to celebrate the great year we had in 2017. Keep an eye out for more fun events coming in March, and of course, our 3rd Annual Gala in April!

More outstanding news is from Program Manager, Heather Miner. Heather has officially become a PATH, Intl. Certified Instructor. The tests to become an instructor are a challenging process that can last months or years. The Ride for Joy family congratulates her in this amazing accomplishment.

Thank you, everyone, for being a part of Ride for Joy.  You make the memories and miracles at the barn possible.

Until next time,

Christi King

Executive Director

Win Something Sweet for your Sweetie

Enter to win one of two Valentine's baskets for you and your sweetheart.  The baskets include dinner at Bonefish Grill or Cottonwood Grill, a night at the Anniversary Inn or The Grove Hotel, a bottle of sparkling cider, sweet chocolates, and a plush toy.  

All proceeds support Ride for Joy.  Return to our home page for ticket details.  

Winners will drawn and contacted on 2/13/18.  Get your tickets soon!

Streamlined Application Process

The staff at Ride for Joy are always looking for ways to improve and streamline the process of entering the program.  From reducing the wait list length to pairing down the paperwork, getting into riding lessons should not bring extra stress for anyone.

One such frustration has been the need to use snail mail (what year is it?!) to send in applications.  No longer!  

RFJ now has two more efficient methods of applying for the program.  The first is to scan and email completed paperwork to hminer@rideforjoy.org.  The second is to fax it to 1 208 550-3208.  Faxes will be received as emails to continue ensuring all information is kept confidential.  

As doctors' offices are bound by HIPAA requirements and can not email releases, the fax number allows participant physicians to email releases directly to the barn.  No more waiting for releases to be mailed to the house and then mailed to the barn.

Isn't progress swell?!

Executive Director Speaking Engagement

Executive Director Christi King is honored to present Ride for Joy to the Mighty Girls Book Club on February 10, 2018. 

The club is for ages 11 to 14 and features books with strong female characters.  Members meet at the Silverstone Library in Meridian on the second Saturday of each month to discuss the featured book and listen to a guest speaker.

February's book is The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley with Christi as the guest speaker.  

First Grant Award of 2018

2018 is off to a great fundraising start.  Congratulations to RFJ and Chris Allen, the new grant writer, for the first grant award of the year. 

The Walmart Community Grant presented Ride for Joy with $1000 to support local communities.  

"At Walmart, we strongly believe in giving back and are proud to support organizations that improve communities where our customers and associates live and work.

"As a Community Grant recipient, we encourage you to celebrate this accomplishment...We appreciate your efforts to help people live better and wish you success," said The Walmart Community Grant Team and Faculty.  

A hefty thank you to Walmart from all of the bipeds and quadrupeds at Ride for Joy.

 

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