 |  | MVHR Operations During COVID-19 These are unprecedented times and, as you can imagine, we've had to adjust operations at the Rescue more than once the past few weeks. Originally, we allowed volunteers, in limited numbers and for specific shifts only, at the Ranch to limit social interaction. The outpouring of support was amazing! However, as restrictions tightened - and in an effort to keep our volunteers and staff safe - we have now asked volunteers to stay home in accordance with Governor Polis's order. Our horses and donkeys continue to receive outstanding care from our amazing staff - Shana, Joel, Steph and Kensie - who are covering ALL feedings and chores right now. That is no small feat, and we are so grateful for their hard work and sacrifice during this time. We know the horses, Sparky, and Pepe are too! As soon as it's safe to return, we hope to see the same outpouring of support to fill feeding and chore shifts, so our wonderful staff can get a much needed break. The good news? You can still "see" the rescue via Facebook and Instagram, and below we've listed many ways to help the horses virtually. Please stay home, please stay safe and please take good care of yourselves, so we can see you back at MVHR soon! | | APRIL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES -
Community Volunteer Day: Cancelled -
Basic Volunteer Orientation: Cancelled Mandatory if you want to work independently with our horses on a regular basis. -
Volunteer Back Up to Staff: As needed, daily, 9:00am-3:00pm IF you are capable of covering both the AM and mid-day feedings and all chores, completely independently, please contact Steph at steph@mvhr.net to be added to a list of "back up" individuals who may be called upon should coverage be needed for any reason during this time. Our volunteer page will be the best resource for schedule updates at this time. We will resume regularly scheduled activities as soon as it is safe to do so. ONGOING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Maintenance Help: We will be needing lots of help with repairs and projects once we start welcoming volunteers back to the Rescue, and our all-volunteer maintenance crew is in need of handy people. To join, contact shana@mvhr.net. | | | | Volunteer Spotlight: You! Be a Virtual Supporter Volunteering in person may be on hold, but you can still help the horses from home. Here's how: - Got computer skills? Good with excel spreadsheets? Contact marleen@mvhr.net to help us with database management.
- Shopping from home? Purchase items on our Amazon wishlist.
- Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and send a favorite story or photo of you with the horses to steph@mvhr.net to be featured in our posts!
- Put your daily exercise allowance to good use by running a "Virtual Race" in support of MVHR! Visit www.staycationraces.com to register, follow the prompts to the charity bib option and run your race anytime between now and April 25th. Another bonus? Our very own Amy Ben-Horin will help you with your fundraising strategy!
- Getting a Colorado state tax refund this year? Consider donating part or all of your refund to MVHR. Simply enter Mountain Valley Horse Rescue and our registration number 20063004823 in the Donate to a Colorado Nonprofit Fund line on your state income tax return or tax software – or just give this info to your tax preparer when you share your tax documents.
| | | | In Memoriam: Sinclair Sinclair came to MVHR the summer of 2015 from Barbara Wright at Harmony Horse Works. After rescuing and rehabilitating horses for over 15 years, Barbara retired and entrusted her sweet therapy horses to us - including Nacona and DeBask - while partially sponsoring their ongoing care. At 47 years old, Sinclair was our oldest resident and one of the most beloved. He had a lifetime of experience and personality to bring to everyone he met! He managed to be both young-at-heart and an endearing old man, who offered glimpses of his wisdom now and then and always shared his zest for life. With terrible heartache, Sinclair was laid to rest last month. He was a spunky goofball through his final moments, inspiring us all to live life to the fullest. Run free, dear boy. Your star now shines brightly over the Rescue. | | | | | |  | Horse Updates All Quiet on the Home Front With everything on hold right now, our staff is just focusing on keeping all of our equines well. So far so good! If you've been following our social media accounts, you'll have seen that the snow is melting, spring is making an appearance more often, and new charge Pepe has made himself at home in the cabin and is ready to start taking charge! Sadly, current events have put a number of possible adoptions on hold, but we are hopeful to resume those processes when everything gets back to normal. The horses get their spring checkups and vaccines this month, to keep them healthy, but will do so with a skeleton crew rather than the big call out for help we usually do. Send Us Your Rescue Horse Stories! Looking for a fun activity for your kids? Ask them to write a short story about their favorite Rescue horse or experience at the Ranch, and submit it to Steph at steph@mvhr.net. Bonus points if it is illustrated! Feel free to include the barn cats and chickens, too. Adults, as we said above, we would love to share your stories and photos of the rescue, as well. Send them in! Steph will share your stories, photos and illustrations on our social media channels all month, so visit our Facebook and Instagram feeds often to connect with our wonderful MVHR community! | | |  | Program News Schedule Updates - Summer Day Camp registration is open! There are still spaces available in sessions 3 through 7.
- 60 Day Challenge is cancelled. Stay tuned for a new opportunity Steph is looking into for volunteers!
- Mini Horse Heroes is cancelled for April.
High School Rescue Club Applications Now Being Accepted MVHR is excited to provide high school students with the opportunity to get more involved in our rescue efforts, while fostering their love for horses, gaining a deeper understanding of horse knowledge (including horsemanship and riding), and building the leadership skills necessary to help advocate for the over 6,000 unwanted, abandoned and abused horses in Colorado. HSRC is FREE to youth grades 9-12 who can make a year-long commitment (June 2020 thru April 2021). Find the schedule and other details for this great program at www.mountainvalleyhorserescue.com/programs. Application deadline is May 1st, 2020. Phone interviews are May 1-4 and acceptance announcements will be made May 5. Email nancy@mvhr.net to request an online application or for more information. HSRC Monthly Service Day Participation
Want to participate, but are unable to make a full year commitment? Then please join us for any of our Service Days to be held one Saturday per month from September 2020 through April 2021. Watch our website for the announcement of HSRC Service dates. | | | |  | Other Ways to Help SHOPPING Artist Frances Marino will donate 100% of profits from sales of her work made through her website. You can also get most of her artwork on a variety of gifts including mugs, pouches, pillows, greeting cards, phone cases and more. Visit www.frances-marino.artistwebsites.com to make a purchase, and then contact Frances to let her know you did so to help MVHR. Thank you! MVHR T-Shirts and Travel Mugs are available for $20 each for all the Rescue fans in your family. There is also LOTS of tack for sale, especially English, and some beautiful Aussie and English saddles. Contact info@mvhr.net for details. City Market Community Rewards: Join the program at https://www.citymarket.com/to…/city-market-community-rewards and select MVHR as your organization. Horses will be helped every time you swipe your value card! Already enrolled? MVHR organization number recently changed to AX816 - please be sure to update your account. And remember, you can support the horses while shopping on Amazon Smile! Just make sure we are selected as your non-profit and a percentage of your sale comes back to us...it's that simple! DONATIONS If you cannot get out to the ranch to volunteer for feeding shifts, chores or other programs, you can still support the horses by making a donation on our website. Every dollar helps from $10 for a bale of hay to $6,000 to sponsor a horse for a year. With a steady herd of 25 rescue equines, the MVHR operating budget this year is $299,000. Most support comes from individual donors, like you. | | | | | | Mountain Valley Horse Rescue
33933 Colorado River Road | McCoy, Colorado 80463
970-653-0185 | info@mvhr.net | | | | | | | | | | | |
