Volunteer at O.A.T.S.!

“What volunteers quickly discover is that it’s a two-way street. You’re giving something to the riders, but they have a lot to give back to you. It really makes you feel like you have a purpose.”

—O.A.T.S. instructor Beth Pellerito

Volunteers are the foundation of O.A.T.S. Without them, O.A.T.S. couldn’t exist. Here’s how you can help.

CLASS VOLUNTEERS: the backbone of our program. This is where you’ll really experience the magic of therapeutic horseback riding. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY, we will train you! All you need is a SMILE. Interested? Call us at 248.620.0505 or 248.620.1775 or e-mail. Download a volunteer form here.

Class times*: Monday 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.; Wednesday 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.; Thursday 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:30, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (*Please check our calendar for class times and dates and cancellations. Click here for April/May 2008 volunteer dates)

Requirements:

· Be physically fit enough to walk, and occasionally jog, for one hour.

· Be able to commit to at least one class each week (see schedule at left). This ensures the necessary number of volunteers for each class, and also creates the opportunity for special friendships to form between riders and volunteer teams through regular contact.

 

Duties (depending on your experience/abilities):

· Lead a horse and rider

· Sidewalk (walk beside the rider). Some riders require only your presence; others require a safety hold at all times.

· Assist with mounting and dismounting

· Assist with grooming, tacking and untacking horses

 

PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS: Can’t commit to a weekly class? Not comfortable around horses? There are lots of other ways you can contribute and still make a difference in the life of a disabled child or adult.

· Coordinate a fundraiser (we currently have only one large fundraising event a year and would love to have more!)

· Plan/help coordinate our annual Dinner Dance & Silent Auction

· Plan/help coordinate our annual rider parties or the Mane Event horseshow and fair

· Serve on our board of directors

· Handy with tools? There are always things around the farm that need fixing and/or installing (see our wish list)

· Volunteer at our annual Smiles On Saddles Day Camp (Aug. 4-8 and Aug. 11-15)

· Write a grant

· Assist with administrative duties

· You tell us! Just let us know how/when you’d like to help.

Meet a volunteer

 

While we think ALL our volunteers are special, this month we’d like to tell you about sixth-grader Alyssa Tomei. It hasn’t been an easy year for Alyssa—both her grandmothers passed away in May—but she has grown up so much. She is a wonderful asset to our organization, bringing her Junior Girl Scout troop to volunteer, helping out at the Mane Event and begging Mom Rhonda to take her to O.A.T.S. even if she has homework. She always promises to get it done! We are so glad to have Alyssa and the rest  of our caring, dedicated volunteers. There would be no O.A.T.S. without all of you.

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Volunteer Alyssa Tomei and Rio.