Volunteers recognized for outstanding service at RTT
WINDHAM - On Sunday April 10th, Riding To The
Top Therapeutic Riding Center recognized the work of its volunteers at their
annual volunteer appreciation event.
Nick Doria, volunteer coordinator at Riding To The Top,
welcomed the group and reported that “in 2015 135 RTT volunteers contributed a
record 11,495 hours of service in support of rider lessons, horse care, barn
chores, administration and events.” He noted “their collective contribution
is valued at over $234,127.”
Executive director Sarah Bronson thanked the group and
remarked that “RTT volunteers contribute time, talent and skills which
increases our capacity to serve greater numbers of children and adults with
disabilities.” Bronson went on to add that “Riding To The Top would have to
hire four or five full time staff to replace the work that volunteers
contributed last year”.
This year The President’s Volunteer Service Award, for
those volunteers contributing over 100 hours in 2015, was presented to 21
individuals including:
Bronze Level Awardees (Adult 100-249 hours/Young
Adult 100-174 hours):
Jo Blinick, Cindy Elder, Trish Friant, Margi Huber,
Hannah Jud, Fran Maxwell, Ellen Ward and Donna Warren.
Silver Level Awardees (250 to 499 hours/Yound
Adult* 175-249 hours):
Janis Childs, Elizabeth Elcock, Barbara Foster, Alissa
Lovley, Jodi Peasley, Clayton Peters and Bryony Urquhart.
Gold Level Awardees (500 or more hours/Young Adult
250 or more hours):
Mark Fuller, Julia Hamilton, Dan Morabito, Pat Niboli,
Patty Shaw and Paulette Shepard.
The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award (Maine residents
who volunteered 500 hours or more in the past twelve months) recipients
included: Mark Fuller, Dan Morabito, Pat Niboli, Patty Shaw and Paulette
Shepard.
Special recognition of outstanding service to RTT
included: Mark Fuller (Volunteer of the Year); Nicole McFrland (Youth Volunteer
of the Year); Jodi Peasley (Administrative Volunteer of the Year); Barbara
Foster (Rookie of the Year Award); Hannah Jud (Volunteer Schooler Award)
and Clayton Peters (Barn Volunteer of the Year).
Linda Baker , Riding To The Top board member,
thanked the volunteers and also recognized Riding To The Top’s corporate
partners of the year: Norway Savings Bank, Paris Farmers Union and Windham
Automotive.
Town of Windham thanks volunteers
Last Wednesday night volunteers for the
Town of Windham gathered at the Deck House to celebrate the hard work they do
for the many departments and committees in town. Volunteers from the Windham
Food Pantry, public library, clothes closet, Human Services Advisory board,
parks and recreation, planning board and zoning board.
Shown are Windham
Food Pantry volunteers. From left to right: Rene Daniel, Jim MacDonald, Bruce
Gove, Judy MacDonald, John Legere, Bruce Raeburn, Barbara Muir, Leo Daniel,
Shari Morin, Jenessa Morin, Brian Morin, Colette Gagnon, Jay Cummings, Joe
Cummings, Jeannette Cummings, Matt Kluchnik, Ray Emerson, Lisa Cummings, Alice
Cobb, Donna Emerson, Carolyn Daniel, Harrison Wood, Allan Phinney, James
Cummings, Mary Emerson and Jan Campana.
Marilyn Goodreau
Receives Governor’s Award for Service and Volunteerism
WINDHAM – Marilyn L. Goodreau, president of the non-profit
Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals in Windham, has been named an
Exemplary Honoree by Governor Paul LePage for her tireless efforts to eliminate
equine abuse and neglect.
Ms. Goodreau was honored, along with other award-winning
volunteers, in a State House ceremony hosted by First Lady Ann LePage on
Tuesday, April 12.
The mission of the Maine State Society for the Protection of
Animals is to provide refuge, rehabilitation, and placement of seized horses;
support the placement of surrendered animals; and educate the public. The
vision is to strive toward the elimination of equine abuse and neglect.
The society uses its resources to provide direct care to
horses who have suffered abuse. The MSSPA promotes humane treatment, training
and use of horses through education and hands-on experiences. It collaborates
with other animal serving agencies to maximize the resources of all.
One of Ms. Goodreau’s greatest contributions is a lifetime
of service; she epitomizes the concept of volunteerism in Maine. Working
without pay or vacation, she has logged more than 89,000 hours of volunteer
service with the MSSPA. A testament to the power and pleasure of volunteer
service, hers has been a labor of love for the animals and a very generous gift
to Maine taxpayers. In part, as a result of Marilyn’s dedication, the society
continues to provide Maine with more than a million dollars a year in donated
animal shelter services. Absent Marilyn’s devotion to the society, it is
unlikely that the organization would exist today.
Learn more about New England’s largest horse shelter by
visiting its River Road farm, which is open each day from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00
p.m. During June, July, and August the
farm is open until 6 p.m. No admission is charged and visitors are welcomed!
On April 24th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in conjunction
with the ASPCA, the society will be celebrating National Help A Horse Day by
hosting the second Annual Maine Horse Jubilee. “The ASPCA Help A Horse Day
contest and Maine Horse Jubilee are wonderful opportunities for the society to
welcome the residents and businesses of the local area into the barn to help
raise awareness about the horses in our community who are in need of loving
homes,” said Meris J. Bickford,
CEO of the MSSPA.
“Horses are majestic, social animals, and we hope
our local supporters will turn out on April 24th to help the society
win a $25,000 grant to continue its lifesaving efforts."
To celebrate the
day, the MSSPA will host the Second Annual Maine Horse Jubilee featuring an
array of fantastic activities, including a horse training demo by horse expert
Debbie Little, a presentation by New Equine Photography, discussions with
author and artist Vince Bruni, farrier demos, equine veterinarian exposition,
children’s activities, a visit from Baxter, the MSSPA mascot and much more! The
event is free and family friendly.
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