$125,000 Reasons to Rejoice

Fast and Furious-$40,000

Leadership Wichita Falls Class of 2013 chose as a class project to support the construction of our 20-stall barn! In October 2013, the LWF hosted the Falls Fast & Furious at the Wellington Event Center. The event featured an elimination drawing and a silent auction. Through sheer determination and hard work, the class was able to pre-sent Whispers with a check of $40,000 for our barn cam-paign. The dedication of this group to helping children and soldiers of our community is truly appreciated. Our many thanks are not enough for all you have done, but please know they come from the heart!

Barn Update At right is our skin look...cream colored tin siding with a green roof! We are so excited that Bobby Bounds and his crew will be starting dirt work any day...according to his schedule. Then comes in concrete workers from Double E concrete and Ok Concrete. Brian's plumbing and Huskin's Electric will work with our contractor Jim Toney at Double J Welding and our own Project Manager Don Thompson.

Other News Classes & Awards

Page 5 Horses for Sale

Page 3 Donors Page 2

From the Founder and President

Page 2 Barn Pictures

Page 1 TABSHA awards

Page 3 Horse & Tack Sale

Page 3

Mary Elizabeth Pearce, Founder & Executive Director Glen Veach, Chairman of the Board

Winter 2014

Thanks to Bobby Bounds for the dirt and donation of work to prepare the foundation of the barn.

Tearing Down the Old barns to make room for our New

20 Stall Barn,

Left & below

The Priddy Foundation-$75,000

The Priddy Foundation has pledged $75,000 for

stage one of the construction of the new barn.

Their donation will help with the expenses of

concrete, electrical, outer skin of the building,

and office framing. This is a wonderful gift

which is greatly appreciated.

New Office Equipment-$10,000

A wonderful gift from the McCoy Foundation was given to Whispers to build/supply our new office area since we cannot transfer any of our furnishings and out-of-date computers. This gift will permit a completely new look for the new office ar-ea. Thank you so much!

Allen, Kathy Berry, Dwight Black, Ray and Debbie Bolin, Beverly Cottrell, J. and D. Cottrell, L. B. Crone, Ronald and Russell, Kim Davidson, Deborah and Larry Davis, Kristi Dockery, Thomas and Dori DuShane, Danny Gonzalez, Jose Gray, Joan Guinn, Alfred Haskin, Lynette and Richard Henderson, Tommy Herring, Rene and James Hilton, Tommy and Ginger Hoslin, D. Isbell, Tommy Jackson, Byron and Carol Jenne, Frances Johnson, James Leavine, Bob and Sharon

Lindsey, B. J. Litteken, Arthur and Shirley Macias, Les and Beth Marks, Noelle and William McCarthy, Teresa McCoy Foundation Moorhouse, Carolyn Morris, Debbie Morris, Mindy Nosser, Cindy Patterson, Becky Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Pearce, Mary Elizabeth and Louis Pierce, Ronald & Jennifer Reneau, John and Rebecca Sims, Elizabeth and Richard Stubbs, Evan Thompson, Helen Van Natta, Mae Veach, Glen and Linda Vinson, Robert and Joan White, Mary Lou White, Sammie Ruth

Businesses Blue Cross Blue Shield Bridwell Foundation Bryant Edwards Foundation Dean Dale Pet Clinic Denman Properties Eagle Riders Fain Foundation Floral Heights, 50/50 Class FUMC Bi The Way Helen Farabee Centers Junior League Kwik Kopy Leadership Wichita Falls McCoy Foundation Red River Hospital Reneau Rehab Strokemaster Tennis Group Susannah Study Group United Methodist Women, Harless United Methodist Women, Iowa Park United Way CFC United Way SECC campaign

Our THANKS to these donors for their Generous Support!

We at Whispers of Hope are elated to announce the beginning of Phase I of construc-tion on our new twenty horse stall barn. This is only possible because of the many individuals

and organizations who so generously donated to the project. Without you, we could not have

achieved the dream of such a grand undertaking.

On February 8, 2014, we will hold our annual Awards Banquet to show our apprecia-tion to the volunteers who make this program the success it has become.

Many thanks again and God bless,

Glen Veach, Board President

Mark 10:45

Views from the

Top Rail

Donations are always needed and welcomed! If you can give of your time, goods, or ser-vices know that every donation helps and no gift is too small. We are a non profit 501(c)(3) organization and all of our workers are volunteers. This listing from Oct 2013-Dec 2013

Whispers-Winter 2014

Greetings: We are getting a NEW BARN… a new 20 stall barn. So…we have to find some new homes for some of our wonderful horses. We will have an adoption sale on Saturday January 25th starting at 8:30 a.m. We will have a riding demonstration of all the horses for adoption/sale. Any-one interested and registered may then ride the horses that are up for sale. Silent offers for the horses/tack will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. Forms will be available upon registration. Announce-ment of adoption will be at 3 p.m. Questions are always welcome. Horses may be taken after the sale and after adoption papers are completed. Registration forms for sale will be on line as of Tuesday January 15th, or will be available the day of sale. The sale will be located in the Whispers of Hope Horse Farm Covered arena at 3545 Parkhill Road. Cars/trucks can park near arena. Trucks with trailers will need to park in open pasture just south of arena. These horses are good horses but they are not therapy horses. THAT takes a special horse. How-ever, we have some trail horses and good working horses that need new homes. We have to con-dense our herd due to increased hay cost since we are in a water shortage. Come on out and see if we can fit you and your family with a new addition…one of our horses. OR, come out and watch and enjoy food from our concession stand to help with raising money for our new barn. With God’s help I am always watching out for all here and we are so blessed in sharing our beloved friends with you. Blessings, Mary Elizabeth

I Need a New Home!! Horse Adoption & Tack Sale

Whispers’ Number Cruncher THANK YOU to all of our faithful supporters. It is expensive to operate a therapeutic riding program and take care of 20+ horses, even with a volunteer staff. We are always in need of hay and grain, as well as other expenses listed below. WOHHF Monthly Expenses Grain $1500 Hay $1000 Vet $500 Farrier $600 Insurance $470 Vehicle Expense $400 Utilities $1166 Barn Maintenance $730 Total $6366 If you wish to contribute, we have included a donation form with the newsletter. One good way to give is through a horse sponsorship, which includes riding privileges.

Star is a 13 year old Quarter Horse. She is pleasant at the beginning of a ride but may become lazy when asked to work. She needs a patient, intermediate rider. Star has not adapted to trails and when frus-trated, tends to rear or hop. Great pasture buddy. $500.00 or best offer.

We had a wonderful time at Texoma All Breed Horse Show Association (TABSHA) banquet and came home with sever-al very nice buckles and money for the kids. JoEllen Dodson was Beginner champion and Preston Hall was runner up. Alex Van Etta was nominated by her piers and voted on by the whole body as the Most Improved Rider for 2013.

8:30- Registration 2:00-Sealed bidding closed 10:00-Demonstration 3:00-Announce bids 11:00-2:00 Ride horses of interest

Whispers will have a horse adoption and sale at the barn on Jan 25th. Here are the details.

A Concession Stand

Will operate during the day

In the break room of the

Arena.

Awards

Whispers-Winter 2014

Cowgirl is a 9 year old Sorrel Quarter Horse. She previously moved cattle in the stockyards. Cowgirl would do well with an intermediate/advanced rider on play days or trail rides. She tends to pull off the rail when tied and prefers to have her rope wrapped. $700.00 or best offer.

COWGIRL

DUKE

Duke is an 11- Year old gelding Quarter horse. He is missing left eye but manages well without it. He has a puncture wound on left front leg that is healing but still swollen. $700 or best offer.

NUGGET

Nugget is an 11 year old gelding Fox Trotter and is an easy keeper that can be maintained on pasture. He needs a light rider due to old injury in right hind. A little stubborn but good for beginner with some riding experience. $500.00 or best offer.

PRINCESS

Princess is a Bay Quarter Horse/pony, 8 year old mare. She is an easy keeper that can be maintained on pasture. Princess needs an upper-intermediate/advanced rider ready for a high-spirited, teachable pony. $300.00 or best offer.

STAR All horses are up to date on coggins and shots.

GREAT DEALS!!

Several show saddles, show halters, equipment bags, leads, and everyday saddles are available for purchase.

Whispers-Winter 2014

Out with the Old and in with the New! By Janis Searns, Barn Manager Hurray! We are tearing down the old run in shelters and wire runs to make way for a real 20 stall barn! So many friends of Whispers of Hope have come out to help with the hard job of demolition. Every screw and nail, foot of wire and stack of metal sheeting has been brought down after we relocated horses to all the temporary spots we could find. The benefits to all will be huge; for the horses, children, adults, and challenged riders. As the “Barn Manager” my job will change for the better more than that of any other volunteer. Time saved by not having eight feed rooms to keep stocked with hay and grain, 30-odd water hydrants and yards of hoses spread out over several acres, will be better spent attending to the health and welfare of the horses. No more looking at the tangle of cords leading to floating water heaters praying that they all will work when the temps drop below freezing. This barn is an answer to much prayer and to the hard work of many individuals and the helping hand of groups and founda-tions. May we honor that by doubling our efforts to serve Texoma’s most chal-lenged children. We cannot thank our donors enough for their generosity! Phase 1 will be completed soon. We still need folks to sponsor stalls, medicine and feed room, and other finishes. We would love some of you to come along side to make this facility as safe and efficient as possible.

Veterans Program By Janis Searns, Barn Manager One of the best parts of the week happens on Friday morning when several van loads of military personnel arrive at our arena for their “horse time”! Those of us who spend time with our equestrian best friends don’t need to be told how valuable horse time is. I remember well the day that my first horse Cisco and I road aimlessly while I mourned the loss of my mother. He never behaved quite so well as he did that day while I wept and talked and just put the reins down and let him pick our route. No, horse time is not a luxury nor an amusement or hobby. Horse time is just plain good for the soul, and our soldiers deserve that for all they do for our country and ultimately for us.

Nomads Kathy & Dave help tear down old stalls.

Dave is serving as the daily work foreman for the new barn. During the summer, Whispers is

scheduled to have several NOMAD

teams to help with construction of

the inside of the barn/office.

“Nomads On a Mission

Active in Divine Service – NOMADS

provide volunteer labor for United

Methodist organizations. NOMADS

demonstrate God’s love through

our work and by listening to the

people with whom we work. We do

new construction, remodeling, and

repairs for churches, children’s

homes, camps, colleges, outreach

missions and disaster rebuilding.

Team members do maintenance,

cleaning, painting, electrical,

drywall, sewing, flooring.”

From NOMADS website.

Thanks for the hay!! Shown below is a truck load of hay

arriving at Whispers which was donated

by Tommy Henderson of Byers. This

and all donations of equipment/hay are

greatly appreciated.

Don Thompson Project Manager

Don agreed to be the project manager for the new barn. He previously worked for TxDOT as a project manager for many years.

First Ride! Destiny Doan on her first

ride at Whispers.

Important Dates/Schedule

Feb 18-Mar 29 1st session (Each session [Tues-Sat] is six weeks long, with a two week break between sessions.

Feb 8 Annual service awards banquet, 5-7:30 p.m. at Floral Heights UMC Mar 17 Annual meeting at Falls Chapel United Methodist Fellowship, 6:30 p.m. Apr 5 Special Olympics in the Arena beginning at 9 a.m. Apr 13-Apr 20 Closed-Easter Holy week. Apr 15-May 24 2nd Session Jun 3-6 Pre Camp training (Summer sessions listed in next newsletter).

Therapy Sessions & Weekly Lessons

Weekly lessons with our instructors provide direct guidance and therapeutic assistance. Each youth will be scheduled for a once-a-week visit, individually or as a group (based on need). A specific horse is assigned to each youth so that they may develop a bond of trust with that horse. Volunteers and students work together each week. There will be exercises, games, and events that the student will be involved with to develop skills so that they will be able to partici-pate in Special Olympics and local horse shows.

Whispers-Winter 2014

940-692-8044 http://WhispersofhopeHF.org WhispersofhopeHF@aol.com

Thanks to everyone in the community who provides support to Whispers of Hope!