White Oak 4-H - Hanover County Volunteer Youth Group of the Year

Hanover County's Outstanding Volunteers for 2005 recognized by the Board of Supervisors.

The physical, mental and social benefits of therapeutic riding for people with disabilities are well researched and documented. But the program is also costly; beyond staffing, insurance and animal husbandry, it requires specially adapted equipment and tack to insure safety of riders, assistants and horses.

4-H youth are committed to the pledge of Head, Heart, Hands and Health. White Oak 4-H combined their commitment to the four-H's and community service to share their love of horses with others often excluded from equestrian sports. A former member and therapeutic rider was their inspiration to select the riding center as beneficiary of their trail ride.

The White Oak 4-H raised and donated funds to purchase badly needed equipment for the Horses In Service Natural Therapeutic Riding Center. The regional center provides services to riders in the Greater Richmond area including Hanover County.

In fact solicitation of sponsors for their benefit trail ride was so successful, White Oak 4-H was also able to make a donation to the Equine Rescue League which provides for the care and placement of abused and abandoned horses.

The over $1000 White Oak 4-H raised with the trail ride would have paid their entry fees for the State Horse Show. But they chose to raise funds for others, instead of themselves. This was a win-win-win situation. Children in the therapeutic riding program benefit from specially adapted equipment; rescue horses receive better care; and White Oak 4-H members, through service to others, have grown in spirit, compassion and sense of community.

White Oak 4-H's selection as the Hanover County Volunteer Youth Group of the Year also brought another $250 donation in their name to the therapeutic riding center. The award was sponsored by the Woodmen of the World.

Return to the 2005 Stories of Excellence