Carpenters give back to local equine therapy facility

GROVE CITY, Ohio - Aug. 27, 2015 - PRLog -- When it comes to giving back, the Carpenters of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC) take advantage of any chance they get to help community members. Earlier this month, six Carpenters in the Local 200 Member Action Committee (MAC) dedicated a day of service to Equine Partners Unlimited.

Equine Partners Unlimited is a nonprofit organization offering healing and hope for both humans and horses. It provides equine-assisted learning (EAL) and equine-assisted counseling (EAP) for community members in Central Ohio, in addition to various services that promote the growth and development of communication, respect and confidence in relationships and life. Additionally, it helps at-risk horses find safe and forever homes through its adoption program and also serves as the home of the retired horses in their therapy program.

In early August, Local 200 President Doug Reffitt received a phone call from Equine Partners Unlimited asking for help to reinforce block walls and build stalls. Mandy Schreiber, Program Director at Equine Partners Unlimited, explained that a large horse knocked over a block wall, falling onto a mare in a neighboring stall. The mare’s colt survived the accident, but sadly, the mare passed away. After hearing the tragic story, Reffitt knew the MAC members would want to help in any way they could.

Schreiber expressed sincere gratitude for all of the help provided by the Carpenters Union. “It’s so awesome they came out on such a short notice. We couldn’t have done it without them, and we thank them so much!’

“When we heard the story of what had happened, we knew we had to help,” said James Van NewKirk, apprentice MAC member. “And when we saw all of the rescued horses at the facility - especially the colt that lost his mother - we couldn’t wait to get started.”

MAC members who worked on the project include Mark Moen, Mike Freeman, Ritchie Brown, Matt Russell, James Van Newkirk and Kevin McConahan.

For more information, please contact Mike Freeman at mfreeman@ikorcc.com.