VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — FEBRUARY 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for February is Kim Nykanen.

Kim has always enjoyed being with children, and around horses. Before relocating to the Northern Virginia area, Kim had volunteered with a variety of therapeutic riding programs in three other states. When her husband retired from the Army and took a job in Washington, DC, Kim looked for a therapeutic riding organization in the area that she could become involved with. We are so glad she came to us at Rainbow!

Like all new volunteers, Kim attended a training session for new volunteers. She quickly became a regular and reliable sidewalker for some of our weekday afternoon classes. When we were looking for a Saturday Greeter, Kim stepped up to fill that role. Throughout the summer, fall and winter of 2017, Kim kept the coffee hot, the water cold, and kept our families feeling welcome as they arrived for Saturday lessons. As a retired mental health counselor for children, Kim has a natural ability of making others feel at home and at ease.

Thank you, Kim, for giving your time and talents to us here at Rainbow. We are so fortunate to have capable and caring volunteers like you!

CAN WE COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT?

Dear Friend of Rainbow,

Will you make a Holiday donation so Rainbow can continue serving local disabled children and wounded soldiers?

To keep the doors open, I count on kind and generous friends like you — friends who understand the magic that occurs when a cognitively disabled, autistic, or otherwise impaired child
bonds with a horse…

… or, when a soldier suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) spends time with a gentle animal that offers unconditional love…

… or, when a young soldier missing his right arm and lower leg received a boost to his confidence as he straddled a horse (imagine that for a second)… Every week, I see little miracles — and I wish you could too! Like the young student who made the transition from life in a residential facility to independent living — partly thanks to the confidence he gained from riding…

And, that moment when an autistic child realized his horse was “listening” to him…

I’m sure you know that horse ownership is expensive. A bale of hay costs $6.25 and lasts a horse about two days, the farrier comes every five weeks to trim hooves and replace shoes, insurance must be paid, and there are a hundred other costs.

Knock on wood, we will have no serious medical issues, but, with ten horses now in the barn, I know I’ll have to spend what averages out to about $75 per horse each month over the course of the coming year for routine immunizations, dental care, supplements, their state-mandated
blood test, and other veterinary expenses.

But here’s an amazing fact: We’ve been able to enroll 38 more children to the program over the last 12 months and, today, we serve about 70 children each week! And, in the same period, 24 service members from Walter Reed have participated in our program!

There is no way we could pass along the true cost of the service we provide to the families and soldiers we serve; they simply could not afford it. So, both our growth and the cost of maintaining the program are only possible because friends like you donate the funds needed to keep our doors open and help enrich the lives of these children and soldiers through their bond with the horses and they therapeutic work they do with them.

Today, we are running in the black — but, as we end one year and enter the new one, I’m asking for your continued support.

Almost every day, your gift will produce small triumphs and incremental progress.

To continue supplying these services I need your help!

This is our most important fundraising appeal of the year, and your gift goes right to the bottom line. Every penny you donate goes directly towards feeding and housing our wonderful, loving horses and other essential expenses.

Fact is, we are 100% dependent on donations to make ends meet — a humbling and sometimes precarious existence that requires me to ask you for help as we close the year…

I hope I can count on you to make a special year-end holiday gift of $25, $50, $35 or even more.

Regardless, I want to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and the warmest thanks for your past support!

Sincerely,
Inga Janke,
Executive Director

P.S. Remember, most of the children and soldiers we help would not be able to benefit from this program if we passed along the full cost to them. You can see how a gift of $25 or $30 or even $100 can really help — and why we need continued support in order to keep our doors open.

Your gift will help provide the services that benefit so many local children — and the wounded veterans who find this program so helpful in their recovery. I’m counting on your help!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — NOVEMBER 2017

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for November is Dave Jerome

Dave came to Rainbow because one of his cycling mates and Rainbow volunteer, Bob Shannon, told him about our mission “and the good work that you do”. Dave joined our Volunteer Team in April this year. He and Bob have been our “go – to” farm work/maintenance helpers extraordinaire. Both regularly help with lessons as well.

In addition to volunteering at Rainbow, Dave is an avid cyclist, who rides approximately 35 miles per day! He also serves as Chairman of the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. Dave says: “I encourage others to check out the Rainbow Riding Center and see first hand the impact that they have and the great things that they do.”

Thank you, Dave, for being a valued part of that impact, and helping us in so many ways at Rainbow.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — OCTOBER 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for October is Donna Burkhardt.

Donna was drawn to Rainbow by her love of horses, and their innate ability to relate to humans in an honest and helpful way. She attended our December 2016 training session and jumped right into sidewalking in lessons.

Donna says, “I am fortunate to have found such a positive place as Rainbow, and it’s almost in my backyard! Rainbow’s staff and students always make volunteers feel important and welcome. I always leave Rainbow having learned valuable lessons and tips from the staff, the students and, of course, the wonderful horses!”

We are so glad Donna is a member of our dedicated team of Sidewalkers and Horse Leaders! She volunteers regularly for lessons on two weekdays and is often one of the first to respond when a fill-in is needed.

Thank you, Donna, for putting your love of horses and interest in helping, to good here at Rainbow!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — SEPTEMBER 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for September is Nicole Dabney.

Nicole has been a valued volunteer for over five years here at Rainbow. In that time she has probably worn out a lot of shoes (Sidewalking and Horse Leading as much as she does)! Nicole Horse Leads twice during the week, and on Saturdays, and exercises horses as well! We are so fortunate to have capable, dedicated young people like Nicole on our Volunteer Team.

A 2016 graduate of Fairfax High School, Nicole is currently attending Northern Virginia community college. She is also a budding fashion designer, with a few of her own original creations!

Thank you, Nicole, for all of the ways you help our riders, horses and instructors here at Rainbow!

Photo credit: Mary Vardi – (Students had a special treat on Halloween- Goodies from their instructor, and volunteers dressed in costume! Nicole took some time between lessons to exercise Charlie, one of our beloved lesson horses.)

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — AUGUST 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for August is Lila Shipley

Lila Shipley came to Rainbow last summer as a Girl Power camper. She loved the camp experience and wanted to come back to Rainbow as a volunteer. Since completing the Volunteer Training this past June, Lila immediately signed up to help with ALL four of our summer camp sessions, as well as sidewalking for private lessons and helping with upcoming events!

Now a sophomore at Battlefield High School, Lila enjoys singing in the choir and playing softball. In addition to volunteering at Rainbow, she is also a teacher’s assistant with the 1st grade Sunday School at St. Katherine Drexel Mission.

Lila’s favorite Rainbow horses are Kingston and Jack (and Chance who recently retired).

Thank you, Lila for giving so much of your time to help our campers and students! We are so glad you are one of our Rainbow family members!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — JUNE 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for June is Nathan Ray.

Nathan Ray began volunteering at the Rainbow Riding Center in 2016 because he wanted to give back to his community and support positive change for those who need it most.  He continues volunteering at the Riding Center because of the smiling faces of all those he meets, as well as the determination of fellow volunteers to create positive experiences for riders.  Nathan is a rising Senior at Battlefield High School and enjoys leading the Clarinet section of the Battlefield Marching Band, as well as playing clarinet in Battlefield’s Wind Ensemble.  Aside from band, Nathan also plays on the Battlefield Varsity Tennis Team.

We are thankful to have Nathan here as a volunteer.  Thank you, Nathan for all your great help at Rainbow!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — APRIL 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for April is Sonya Giffin.

Sonya is from Charleston, South Carolina. Her first introduction to Rainbow was in June 2015 when she held a 2-day Equus Workshop at our facility.  Sonya fell in love with Virginia’s horse country and moved to the area in November 2016.

Sonya loves to spend time with horses, so naturally that is what she looks forward to most when volunteering at Rainbow. Her favorite horses are Lad and our newest addition, Charlie.

Professionally, Sonya works with individuals, leaders and groups in the areas of personal growth, leadership, team building and business strategy.  Since moving to Virginia, Sonya and our own Meg, have created a business called Indieglow, offering Equus Coaching and nature-based learning.

We are thankful to have Sonya here as a volunteer Horse Leader and Side walker.  Thank you, Sonya for all your great help at Rainbow!