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| Want to help out? |
At Refuge we clearly understand the need for family
and community. Together, we can do far more than
we could ever accomplish on our own. We are
always seeking to partner with others according to
require previous horse experience, many do not.
Volunteer opportunities are only limited by our
creativity. There is a place for everyone to serve.
Come be a part of the family at Refuge!
and community. Together, we can do far more than
we could ever accomplish on our own. We are
always seeking to partner with others according to
require previous horse experience, many do not.
Volunteer opportunities are only limited by our
creativity. There is a place for everyone to serve.
Come be a part of the family at Refuge!
- Pray. Prayer is one of the easiest yet most vital
ways to get involved! Please see specific ways
you can pray for us in the prayer requests on the
right side of this page. - Volunteer. We are always looking for people to
come and labor along side of us! - Daily chores
- Construction and physical projects
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance
- Grooming horses
- Training and Mentorship (for those with horse
experience) - Scrapbooking
- Fundraising
- Donate. Refuge Ranch is a 501c3 non profit
organization. All of our programs are offered
completely free of charge to anyone who needs
them! Refuge receives no government funding
or assistance. We are funded entirely by private
donations. We are now set up so you can
donate online through PayPal!
In Kind Donations:
In kind donations are all other donations that are
used tack, gift cards, building supplies for projects,
etc. If you would like to make an in kind donation,
feel free to contact us and set up a time to deliver
your gift and maybe even take a quick tour of the
farm! Below is a wish list of some of our most
needed items.
Our Wish List
Equine:
In kind donations are all other donations that are
used tack, gift cards, building supplies for projects,
etc. If you would like to make an in kind donation,
feel free to contact us and set up a time to deliver
your gift and maybe even take a quick tour of the
farm! Below is a wish list of some of our most
needed items.
Our Wish List
Equine:
- Hay (Grass or Alfalfa/Grass mix) As the cost of
hay continues to rise, it becomes more and
more difficult to feed horses. More and more
horses are being starved or abandoned
because of the challenges brought on by our
struggling economy. We can only take on as
many horses as we can feed, and that is
related directly to the amount of hay we are
able to purchase. - Fly spray, fly spray, fly spray!!! (We also have
a pretty constant need for fly masks and boots) - New or Used Tack We can always accept
new and used tack. What we cannot use here
at Refuge is sold to benefit the operation of the
farm. - Grooming supplies (curry combs, brushes,
hoof picks, etc.) - Dewormer*** Call the Ranch for specific
needs in this area - Participants
- Boots We are always in need of women’s and
children’s boots in all sizes. - Drinks & Snacks Prepackaged drinks and
snacks for the kids are welcomed. Freeze
pops and bottles of water in particular! - Coffee & Hot Chocolate
- Craft supplies for times when the kids are
here for off season activities or when they
cannot work with animals due to the weather. - Building Supplies/Landscaping
- Gift cards for Tractor Supply Co., Big R, Farm &
Home, or Menards - 8’ or 16’ treated pine decking(new or used in
good condition) For our never ending fencing
projects. - Railroad ties
- Gravel
- Sand
- Mulch
- Weed Spray
- Grass/Pasture Seed
- Bird Feeders/Bird Seed
- Farm Equipment/Misc.
- Plastic manure forks
- Rakes
- Wire Cutters
- Heavy duty garden hose
- Hay elevator
How Can I Pray?
Pray with us for the heart of
every child and adult that
walks onto the ranch! Our
desire is that they would
experience the unconditional
love and acceptance that can
be found only in Christ!
Please pray continually for
the safety of our kids,
mentors and horses.
The Ranch continues to be in
great need of an indoor
space which can be utilized
as both an office and
greeting area, as well as an
indoor area for kids and
mentors when the weather is
not conducive for working
outside with the horses.
We could not be more
excited about the adventures
in store for us in the
upcoming 2012 season!
There is not a more vital way
that you can partner with us
than through your prayers.
Thank you!
every child and adult that
walks onto the ranch! Our
desire is that they would
experience the unconditional
love and acceptance that can
be found only in Christ!
Please pray continually for
the safety of our kids,
mentors and horses.
The Ranch continues to be in
great need of an indoor
space which can be utilized
as both an office and
greeting area, as well as an
indoor area for kids and
mentors when the weather is
not conducive for working
outside with the horses.
We could not be more
excited about the adventures
in store for us in the
upcoming 2012 season!
There is not a more vital way
that you can partner with us
than through your prayers.
Thank you!
| REFUGE RANCH |
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| 3845 Delay Rd Pawnee, IL 62558 217-498-7679 email: refuge@refuge-ranch.org |
| Volunteer FAQs |
Many of the jobs here are far from fun or glamorous.
Pulling weeds, picking up manure, raking old hay out of
the paddocks, staining fences, and the list goes on and
on. However, these are the day to day tasks necessary
to keep the Ranch operating and beautiful and safe for
every child and family that comes to participate in our
programs.
We also have many other volunteer opportunities,
including but not limited to grounds maintenance,
clerical work, fund raising, landscaping. Volunteer
opportunities are limited only by your creativity!
When can I volunteer?
Volunteering is limited to Ranch open hours. Volunteers
will be scheduled according to time and availability,
convenient for both the staff at the Ranch as well as the
volunteer.
Can I volunteer directly with the children
and horses as a trainer or mentor?
The opportunity to work with our kids and horses as a
trainer or in the capacity of a mentor/riding instructor is
reserved for our consistent, long-term adult volunteers.
We ask that these volunteers first spend some time
working at the ranch in other ways. This gives them the
opportunity to get acquainted with our system and gives
us the opportunity to train them in our method of
teaching. We do offer weekly mentor training for
approved volunteers.
A criminal background check will also be completed at
the volunteer's cost of $10.00 to ensure the Ranch
remains a safe place for children.
Can I bring my children when I volunteer?
Absolutely! Empowering children and bringing families
together is what the Ranch is all about! However, there
is no childcare available at the Ranch, so we ask that
you are prepared to be responsible for keeping a close
eye on your children when they are here. While the
Ranch is very child friendly, there are many ways to get
hurt on a working farm!
Can my youth group stay overnight or camp
out on Ranch property when volunteering?
Unfortunately, our current set up and insurance does not
allow this kind of activity. However if you are interested in
setting up a short term mission trip, please contact the
Ranch for housing and/or camping ideas and
suggestions.
Can my child volunteer at the Ranch alone?
Because the Ranch is committed to bringing families
together, we strongly encourage you to volunteer
alongside your child! This is priceless time for sharing
work and conversation, as well as instilling the value of
hard work and service in a child's life.
If a parent has volunteered for a time with an older child,
and we determine that child is capable of working and
completing tasks on their own, we may make an
exception to this guideline
How do I get started?
The first step is to contact us here or call the Ranch at
217-498-7679. Someone will be in touch to set up an
initial appointment for a volunteer orientation where you
can learn more specifically about volunteer opportunities
and pick up the necessary paper work to get you started.
Please download and bring a completed Volunteer
Application with you to your orientation.