December 2023
HwH is the Premier Accredited Center in Northern Arizona
Harnessing the proven benefits of therapeutic horsemanship, Horses with Heart (HwH)is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Chino Valley, AZ. We help transform the lives of disabled children and adults, U.S. military veterans, first responders, and seniors as they gain confidence, dignity, and independence by riding our trained horses under the direction of highly-credentialed staff.
Sequins and Saddles 2023
THANK YOU to the sponsors, donors, organizations, and companies who supported our 2023 event! We had 77 donors to our live and silent auctions and the following very generous financial sponsors:
Diamond: Mike and Lee Cohn, Ed and Joyce Karkalik, Lisa and Zip Lucidi, Michael and Traci Zenner, Celtic Windmill Trucking and Prescott Animal Hospital
Gold: Henry L. Block, Eye Boutique of Sedona, Tonia Fortner, High Desert Barns and Buildings and Randy and Karen Kay Foundation
Silver: Glenn and Shari Daiutolo, High Desert Barns and Buildings and Frontier Financial of Arizona
Bronze: Drake Cement
Turquoise: Great Expectations Business Services, LLC, Lifestyle Chiropractic, Sleep Better Southwest, Eric and Karen Sue Jordan Foundation and Vix Hardwood Flooring
Mood Swing provided jazz classics, Sodexo catered an Italian buffet, and Embry-Riddle again offered the Lower Hangar Room in the Student Union building as the venue for our event. Debra Hrynyk of W&C Marketing and Tom’s Print and Sign helped document the event with programs, signs and photos.
The live auction and paddle-raise activities hosted by our auctioneer Steve Sischka were very lively and fast-paced and contributed greatly to the financial success of the evening.
The following Horses with Heart event team and volunteers deserve more than thanks for countless hours, collaborative planning and their time and effort ensuring our event guests had a wonderful evening:
Chelsea Barth
Debi Covington
Bonnie Davis
Clarissa Donnelly
Kris Dockum
Marcia Gagnon
Lynn Gilley
Malenna Gonsalves
Sally Gray
Kelly Holiday
Sherry Hoover
Nancy Hughes
Laura Jaramillo
Sue Jordan
Lynne Karbon
Bonnie Moreau
Bob Preller
Winkie Robb
Laura Smart
Deanna Trupiano
Although accounting is still incomplete, it appears that thanks to our sponsors, donors, and guests we realized a significant increase in gross revenue over 2022 - and we’ll challenge the 2024 team to continue building on the history of Sequins and Saddles’ contributions to our Horses with Heart operating fund!
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Volunteers, please join us for our free Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at 11:30 am on December 9th at First Southern Baptist in Chino Valley! We will be serving chicken enchilada pie, mango-avocado salad and apple crisp. We will be holding a fun holiday gift exchange; if you’d like to participate, please bring a wrapped gift under $25.
Please RSVP by clicking the link below or signing up in the office. Must RSVP by December 1st.
Horses with Heart’s 30th Anniversary Book
Orders are now being taken for Horses with Heart’s 30th Anniversary History Book. Each book will be $30 and orders can be placed by visiting the Horses with Heart office or calling 928-533-9178.
Thank You, Winter Horse Fosters!
Please join us in thanking those who are caring for our horses this winter!
Butters – Kay Lyons
Casey – Duane and Cindy Watkins
Chili – Jeremy Owens
Cowboy – Marcia Gagnon and Kris Vollrath
Frankie – Mike and Lee Cohn
Gladys – Larry Larsen and Traci Ranic
Jazz – Kris Dockum
Lena – Rob and Michelle Whan
Meiko – Kelly Holiday
Rocky – Maureen Owen and Mary Smith
Stumpy – Sherry Hoover
Swifty – The Znetko Family
Zee – Bonnie Guthrie, Kathleen Williams, and Sally Gray
2023 Riding Session Wrap-Up
2023 was a busy year for Horses with Heart! During this riding season over one hundred riders participated in our classes. Our dedicated instructors taught over four hundred classes, and our marvelous minis visited many nursing homes and schools. HwH also launched its new Equine Assisted Learning program this last session of the year, and it was a great success. We held two pilot classes each week for five weeks, each with one participant. Many thanks to lead facilitator Alison Crary, OT, and Dusty Spitler, Equine Specialist.
We could not have done this without the dedicated support of our 200+ volunteers. Horses with Heart is blessed to have wonderful participants, instructors, horses, volunteers, staff, donors and more! Thank you to all who were a part of the Horses with Heart family this year!
Scheduling for our 2024 riding classes will begin in January. Please call Program Director, Clarissa Donnelly, if you are interested in participating in any of our programs next year.
Join Horses with Heart at “December to Remember”!
We will have a booth!
Horses with Heart will be hosting a table at Chino Valley Equestrian Park for this event on December 10th. The event is Christmas themed and will have lots of activities to draw the community. We are looking for volunteers to help pass our literature and spread the word about our wonderful organization. If you are interested in helping, email Kelly.
Volunteer of the Month ~ Jill Underwood
1. How long have you been with Horses with Heart? This March will mark completion of five years at HwH, five years of joy in participating with such a wonderful organization. The PATH accreditation process is all-encompassing and difficult to score high, and HwH continues to represent the standards in the highest way. The instructors have incredible knowledge.
2. Why do you volunteer at Horses with Heart? I feel equine therapy is a true healing medium and I have witnessed its positive effects on our riders. I love giving back through mentoring and participating with SST. The friendships I have formed also mean a lot to me. We have some incredible volunteers who put in a lot of hours. I learn something from them every day.
3. What is your favorite memory or moment at Horses with Heart? I had a rider who was non-verbal when he started with HwH. A couple years later he came running up to me calling “Good morning, Miss Jill!” and he gave me a huge hug. Nothing more rewarding than that!
4. If you could share one thing with new volunteers, what would that be? There are so many opportunities to get involved with. You can pick what fits you or venture out to learn something new. You will meet people who are passionate about their service and have fun doing it. You can, too.
Look for HwH during Findlay Subaru Prescott’s “Share the Love” Event!
Findlay Subaru Prescott believes in making the world a better place, which is why they support the Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment. It’s their pledge to do right by the communities in which they live and work. We are excited to partner together with Horses with Heart, and help make our community a better place.
Blue Ribbon Moments Winners: ~ Kelly
Please join us in recognizing the following volunteers who were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond at Horses with Heart! A new winner is chosen each week that we are in session, so make sure to nominate your fellow volunteers!
Week of November 6th: Sally Gray
Week of November 13th: Kathleen Klein
Where to Find HwH News?
HwH website horseswithheartaz.org
Newsletter HwH Connection – published monthly
Wranglr emails for HwH volunteers
Social Happenings HwH Friends https://www.facebook.com/groups/922295924909116
Around Our Center
Although riding lessons have ended and horses have gone to their winter homes, there is still lots happening at Horses with Heart! Our office staff is busy getting prepared for next year and our facility crew is busy making improvements to our property. If you are interested in helping improve our property over the winter, please call the office and speak to Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Holiday!
Calendar of Events
December 9 ~ Volunteer Luncheon, 11:30am
December 25th -January 2nd ~ HwH Office Closed, Merry Christmas!
February 10th ~ Bowl-a-Thon
February 23rd ~ Returning Volunteer Orientation, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
February 24th ~ Returning Volunteer Orientation, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
February 24th ~ SST Refresher, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
March 1st ~ New Volunteer Orientation, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
March 2nd ~ New Volunteer Orientation, 9:00 am – 10:30 am
March 2nd ~ SST 101, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
March 18th ~ Session 1 Begins
HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OTHERS
From donations to sponsorships to SHOPPING for holidays, birthdays or weddings you can make a difference for others and Horses with Heart.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM!
