Spring is in the air and excitement stirs to start programs for the new season. As the calendar fills, balancing programs with fundraising, our next event is our manure fundraiser, which began this week. Along with funding, the need for volunteers is vital to our ability to provide these programs. The benefit of volunteering goes both ways. Volunteering is an experience that builds character, work skills and responsibility. It can also be a source of fulfillment. Volunteer qualifications state one must be physically and cognitively capable of performing assigned tasks without direct supervision. That is contrary to our intentions for inclusion for all, but a volunteer needs to be independent, responsible and safe. We have many people with disabilities who want to volunteer at our center or just spend more time at the barn, but they don’t meet the requirements for independence. Such a program takes a lot of planning and instruction. In the past, we had a pilot project called Project Horseworks. The memories of that program still give me great joy. Modeled like a social club and held at the barn, teens and adults with disabilities worked on tasks with a horse theme. Using our seasoned manure, we focused on gardening to grow vegetables. Horse care and learning about composting were part of the agenda and work tasks. Barb Johnson was such a great program director. The goals included socialization, following directions, completing tasks, as well as learning how to garden and “clean stalls”. Barb was so patient and always made things so much fun. Gardening was a challenge because all prior attempts to garden at Centaur Stride failed! Talk about overcoming challenges! The deer knew exactly where everything was planted and if the plants made it to harvest, the deer or other wildlife instinctively knew when that was and was always one step ahead of us! To try to outsmart them, handicapped accessible raised garden beds were made and placed up close to the barn, also making it possible for our participants in wheelchairs to be more actively engaged. Employees from the Cummins Engine plant built the beds with a grant for the construction supplies from Cummins. The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation provided a grant for the pilot project to fund the cost of providing that service. We wanted to make our participants aware that the journey, the camaraderie, and the satisfaction of doing your best was as important as outsmarting the deer, but it was a fun competition. It was also a lesson in accepting what you can’t change, changing what you can, working with what you do have and right where you are. That required resourcefulness, flexibility, learning to adapt, being smarter, creative, and hard work! It was so heartwarming to see the participants motivated and complete tasks that were often quite challenging for them. It is true that if you set expectations a little higher, you will be surprised at the results! We were even able to make a harvest meal and the end of the season. The raised garden beds kept the deer from eating our produce. We also had netting! Once the project was proven successful, we were to raise the funds through donations and fundraisers to keep the project sustainable. Sadly, the program didn’t last past one season for various reasons. We are planning to try again with some changes to address the problems that occurred. Again, adapting, flexibility, resourcefulness, and creativity come into play. Centaur Stride has an annual manure fundraiser. It is well seasoned, non-chemically treated horse manure and is bagged (approximately five gallons each), — on the corner of Jones Road and Route 21, for a $5 donation per bag, pay and take. If the wagon is empty, or to be sure of supply, you can call the barn at (716) 326-4318 and leave your name, phone number and order for pick up. Your order will need to be confirmed. Our seasoned manure is just another end result of our amazing horses! Claudia Monroe is president of Centaur Stride.

Spring is in the air and excitement stirs to start programs for the new season. As the calendar fills, balancing programs with fundraising, our next event is our manure fundraiser, which began this week.

Along with funding, the need for volunteers is vital to our ability to provide these programs.

The benefit of volunteering goes both ways.

Volunteering is an experience that builds character, work skills and responsibility. It can also be a source of fulfillment.

Volunteer qualifications state one must be physically and cognitively capable of performing assigned tasks without direct supervision. That is contrary to our intentions for inclusion for all, but a volunteer needs to be independent, responsible and safe.

We have many people with disabilities who want to volunteer at our center or just spend more time at the barn, but they don’t meet the requirements for independence. Such a program takes a lot of planning and instruction.

In the past, we had a pilot project called Project Horseworks. The memories of that program still give me great joy. Modeled like a social club and held at the barn, teens and adults with disabilities worked on tasks with a horse theme. Using our seasoned manure, we focused on gardening to grow vegetables. Horse care and learning about composting were part of the agenda and work tasks.

Barb Johnson was such a great program director. The goals included socialization, following directions, completing tasks, as well as learning how to garden and “clean stalls”. Barb was so patient and always made things so much fun.

Gardening was a challenge because all prior attempts to garden at Centaur Stride failed! Talk about overcoming challenges! The deer knew exactly where everything was planted and if the plants made it to harvest, the deer or other wildlife instinctively knew when that was and was always one step ahead of us! To try to outsmart them, handicapped accessible raised garden beds were made and placed up close to the barn, also making it possible for our participants in wheelchairs to be more actively engaged. Employees from the Cummins Engine plant built the beds with a grant for the construction supplies from Cummins. The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation provided a grant for the pilot project to fund the cost of providing that service. We wanted to make our participants aware that the journey, the camaraderie, and the satisfaction of doing your best was as important as outsmarting the deer, but it was a fun competition. It was also a lesson in accepting what you can’t change, changing what you can, working with what you do have and right where you are. That required resourcefulness, flexibility, learning to adapt, being smarter, creative, and hard work!

It was so heartwarming to see the participants motivated and complete tasks that were often quite challenging for them. It is true that if you set expectations a little higher, you will be surprised at the results! We were even able to make a harvest meal and the end of the season. The raised garden beds kept the deer from eating our produce. We also had netting!

Once the project was proven successful, we were to raise the funds through donations and fundraisers to keep the project sustainable.

Sadly, the program didn’t last past one season for various reasons. We are planning to try again with some changes to address the problems that occurred. Again, adapting, flexibility, resourcefulness, and creativity come into play.

Centaur Stride has an annual manure fundraiser. It is well seasoned, non-chemically treated horse manure and is bagged (approximately five gallons each), — on the corner of Jones Road and Route 21, for a $5 donation per bag, pay and take. If the wagon is empty, or to be sure of supply, you can call the barn at (716) 326-4318 and leave your name, phone number and order for pick up. Your order will need to be confirmed. Our seasoned manure is just another end result of our amazing horses!

Claudia Monroe is president of Centaur Stride.