The fall semester got off to a rocky start with a week of problems with our water well followed by 2 weeks of wildfire scares.  I am happy to report that all is well at JoyRide with classes underway for our 70 clients for this fall semester. (Is it really fall? Sure doesn't feel like it, does it!)  Check out the articles below for what's been happening and what's coming up.

• Monday, October 10 - 2nd Annual Rider Cup Golf Tournament, High Meadow Ranch Golf Club.  See below for important updates!
• Week of October 17 - Volunteer Appreciation Week
• Semester Break Calendar Change - Our semester break was scheduled for the week of Oct. 24.  We have changed it to the week of November 7 instead, since the instructors will be going to the PATH International conference that week.
• Saturday, November 19 - JoyRide Ho-Ho-Hoedown - We're kicking off the Christmas season with a new free event for JoyRide family and friends, which will include photos with our 4 legged "Santas", hot dogs and s'mores, and music by the recording artist, Lisa Daggs, a former Entertainer of the Year winner at the Christian Country Music awards and a Dove Award nominee.  More info to come.  Be sure to save the date!

Thanks to all the sponsors and players who have already registered for the golf tournament.  Please note:  SPONSORSHIPS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, SEPT. 30 TO BE INCLUDED ON SIGNAGE.  Register online or print out a registration form at www.joyridecenter.org.  Contact Roger for more info, boardpresident@joyridecenter.org, 281-702-2786.

 

We have added 2 exciting live auction items this year:  2 VIP tickets to the final day of the REAL Ryder Cup in Chicago in 2012 valued at $4000...and for all you hunters, a Bad Boy Buggy valued at $7000. 

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Last year's volunteers commented that they really had fun, so if you are available on Oct. 10 and would like to help with registration, food stations, hole-in-one or putting contest observers, contact Penny at pkvello@joyridecenter.org., 281-356-5900.

      

JoyRide is blessed to have many extraordinary volunteers.  Congratulations to the following that have been chosen as our Volunteers of the Month!

 

JULY/AUGUST - Karen Perry and Phyllis Feeney: We had to do a combo recognition because it is impossible to separate this dynamic duo. Karen and Phyllis have been an integral part of JoyRide since its inception in 2009.  From planning meetings to work days to the pilot program with the portable building and port-a-potty, Karen and Phyllis were there (along with husbands Dennis and Mike).   They now volunteer in the arena on Monday mornings, go to lunch and then come back to school horses in the afternoon.  Karen and Phyllis help with our riders at Special Olympics and work tirelessly to make our Jamboree, Rider Cup and other fundraisers a success.  These ladies definitely add talent and joy to our program and we are so very grateful for their many significant contributions to JoyRide. 

 

SEPTEMBER- Sharon Hipp:  Like several of our previous Volunteers of the Month, Sharon has been a big part of JoyRide since its inception in 2009.  Sharon was one of the sidewalkers in our pilot program, and continues to be a big, big help in the arena.  Because she saw the need for more horse handlers in our program, Sharon worked for several semesters on her leading skills and became an official horse handler after our training last January.   She now volunteers in the arena two days a week and subs frequently. Whenever a volunteer has to cancel at the last minute, Sharon is one of our ‘go to’ girls. Her riders look forward to seeing her and visiting with her every week.  Sharon enthusiastically helps out at several of our special events each year and definitely adds joy to our program. 

 

Luckily, the wildfires did not reach JoyRide, but they certainly were too close for comfort!  With no end in sight to this drought, we thought it would be a good idea to have a list of people and places that might be able to help in the event we do need to evacuate JoyRide.  If you have a horse trailer and might be willing to help haul JoyRide horses to a safe place or if you have a place where the horses could evacuate to, please contact Kassie, kcollins@joyridecenter.org, 281-356-5900.

Our "Photo Queen", Lee Ruonavaara, sent in this photo to the PATH Intl. photo contest and...drum roll....won an Honorable Mention Award!  Congratulations, Lee!  Don't you agree that this picture of Mark Laird, Becky Shoff and Tex depicts the joy that JoyRide is all about!

Need a Christmas gift for the father who has everything, or the hard-to-buy-for sister?  Honor these people with something from the JoyRide Christmas Catalog, coming soon!

• Check with your employer to see if they offer matching donations when you make a donation to JoyRide.  In addition, some employers will make donations in honor of your volunteer hours with non-profits.
• The JoyRide logo can be embroidered on clothing of your choice at Special T Shirts and More, 15222 FM 2920 in Tomball.
• An updated Wish List has been added to the JoyRide website.

For ways to help JoyRide, visit http://joyridecenter.org/donate