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2022 proved to be a busy and full year here at Ryerss Farm. We enjoyed welcoming visitors daily and a handful of new residents throughout the year. Our mission of providing a home for aged, abused, or injured horses relies on the generosity of others, and a large portion of our support is received at our fundraising events. Each event we hosted, whether virtually or in person, far exceeded our expectations, and for that, we are grateful. Let’s look back on 2022 at Ryerss Farm as we prepare for the year ahead.
Betty White Challenge - January 17th
The year began with national encouragement for folks to donate to non-profits for animals in honor of the late Betty White on her 100th birthday. The fundraiser, coined the #BettyWhiteChallenge, brought Ryerss Farm generous donations from dedicated followers on social media. We are honored that Ms. White's heart for animals lives on through our mission and our wonderful residents.
Lonely Hearts Club- February 3rd - 8th
On February 3rd, we launched a campaign called The Lonely Hearts Club, with the goal of getting a sponsor for residents without one. Just five days later, on February 8th, we achieved this goal! Wellington, Pounce, Diablo, and Ben received at least one loving sponsor each! Caring for one horse is a big job; caring for 80 is monumental. Our mission is made possible because of generous people such as resident sponsors. Sponsoring a resident at Ryerss is $500/year, and sponsors receive a photo, an official sponsorship certificate and can choose which horse they'd like to sponsor. Sponsors can schedule private appointments to groom the horse and create a bond! There are currently five residents at Ryerss who need a sponsor. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, view our sponsorship page on our website!
Run for the Horses- April 9th
Spring approached quickly, and we started the month of April with our annual Run for the Horses event! Participants could participate in a 10K run, a 5K run, or a 1-mile walk at Ryerss Farm throughout a cross-country course. This event allowed participants to walk and talk with family or friends, all while supporting our mission here at Ryerss Farm. We also had a Post-Race Party Celebration with music, a beer garden, food trucks, and more!
Family Fun Day- June 18th
One of our favorite events of the year is our Family Fun Day! This event is an excellent opportunity for the whole family to have a fun-filled day at the farm. This year we had pony rides, hay rides, a moon bounce, face painting, crafts, games, prizes, and more! We also held the event "carnival style," so guests could purchase tickets for access to different activities. While there was no admission fee, we were honored to receive generous donations for our mission.
Birthday Party- September 24th
On September 24th, Ryerss Farm celebrated its 134th birthday celebration, country-style! Guests enjoyed a delicious BBQ feast with beer, wine, soft drinks, and good old country music. We even had a tent with a dance floor and plenty of line dancing and laughing. Guests could lay out a blanket and listen to the music under the evening sky, take a hay ride around our farm, or just spend time with our residents. We also had donation options where guests could donate and receive a certain amount of tickets!
Blessing of the Animals- October 15th
Our annual Blessing of the Animals event was a great success. This event involves a short non-denominational service, followed by an individual blessing of pets and the retired and rescued horses on our farm! Guests were allowed to bring their dogs, cats, and other small animals on a leash or carrier. Hay rides were offered, and our special "horse pumpkins" were also on sale! We even had hot dogs and cold beverages to enjoy. It’s always beautiful to see the love our guests have for their animals and our residents at Ryerss.
Giving Tuesday- November 29th
Giving Tuesday took place on Tuesday, November 29th, this year! Created in 2012, this day is meant to celebrate the power of generosity. With over 80 U.S. movements involved, this global campaign aims to inspire people to spread their generosity by giving their time and donations or using their voices to help surrounding communities. Ryerss is grateful to receive not only generous donations on Giving Tuesday but all year round. These donations enable us to provide the best possible retirement that our residents deserve!
Holiday Open House- December 4th
As the year winds down, our final event takes place. Our annual Holiday Open House took place at the farm on December 4th, from 12 pm - 3 pm. Guests could take photos with Santa, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, visit our beloved residents, and stop by the Ryerss gift shop for holiday gifts and decorations! This event is always such a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday season and end the year.
From all of us at Ryerss Farm, we truly couldn’t be more grateful for the past year. We had plenty of amazing visitors, volunteers, and donors supporting our mission, and we can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store! For more information about Ryerss, our mission, visiting the farm, and donation or volunteer opportunities, visit our website.