December 2024
Volunteer Volunteer
Looking Back at November
A Special Thank You to our Holiday Volunteers!!
The holiday season is always a reminder of just how lucky we are to have all of you!
We appreciate all who helped with the horses on Thanksgiving. By taking time out of your holiday, you enabled the barn staff to have some extra time to enjoy theirs.
Santa’sVillage
We still need:
Petting Zoo Helpers (2 vols) 12:30-3pm; help guests enjoy our miniature horses that will be out and about to say hello - be a friendly smile and a welcoming voice!
Santa Experience Helpers (2 vols) 12:30-3pm; help guests enjoy visiting Santa and getting their picture - be a friendly smile and a welcoming voice as you help the line through!
Reindeer Ride Experience Helpers (2 vols) 12:30-3pm; help guests enjoy ambassador horses available to ride - be a friendly smile and a welcoming voice while helping the line stay organizaed and flowing!
Court Case Updates
Jefferson County, WV
13 charges of failure to provide. The trial is TBD.
(Gallant, Hobbit, Iffy, Jackpot, Khaleesi, Letty, Mochi, Nifty, Offelia, Poppy Seed, Qelty, Rosa, Scooter)
Queen Anne’s County
Probate. Charges are pending. (Ipsy, Julius, Kelpie, Lennox, Moose, Nicolette, Odessa, Penny, Queen, Ronald, Satta, Tito, Utah, Veronica, Whimsy, Xanadu, Yemin, Zizi, Azula’s Allure)
Anne Arundel County
Charges are pending.
(Dapper Dylan)
Prince George’s County
Charges pending.
(Fionn’s Fight, Gizzy Gizmo, Happy Harmony, I’m Iverson)
HORSE SPOTLIGHT
Offelia
Fairbanks Kiss is a registered thoroughbred mare available for adoption.
"Offelia" was a successful racehorse with fifty-three starts and a broodmare before coming to DEFHR/EWS.
2011
Thoroughbred 16 Hands
Mare
Trail and Light Arena Work
$1000 Adoption Fee
Offelia's pedigree contains very popular lines for amateur-friendly second-career thoroughbreds. She has had no prior retraining but is currently walking and trotting quietly under saddle in the arena and going out for short hacks alone. She stands nicely for mounting and has displayed a kind, relaxed demeanor.
This sweet mare is not spooky, and is very light in the mouth. She is a kick ride in the arena and maintains a nice even pace when riding out. An adopter with previous experience with OTTBs and a slow approach to training would be the best fit for this lovely mare. She is looking forward to a career of light arena riding and developing her trail skills. Offelia enjoys cookies, bareback rides, and agility games, and will make someone a rewarding pet as well as a riding partner.
“Offelia enjoys cookies, bareback rides, and agility games, and will make...a rewarding pet and riding partner.”
Comings and Goings
Comings
Jean Jacket
Kindly Kalani
Little Lou
Madame Merlot
Night Ninja
Opportune Oakley
Pecan Pie
Quirky Qurmpet
Goings
Zesty Zelda (adopted)
Willoughby (adopted)
Volunteer Spotlight
Rachel Jarvis
How long have you volunteered with DEFHR?
I’ve been volunteering at DEFHR for 2 years.
Do you have a favorite DEFHR herd member, past or present? If so, who?
I’d have to say Barney is my fave! He such an old sturdy soul, such a sweet boy!
What's your favorite part of volunteering with DEFHR?
My favorite thing is educating people who have no horse knowledge about the good work DEFHR does. I have to say the most rewarding volunteer experience I’ve had thus far is when a group of seasoned friends from an assisted living community came to visit. They were so excited and found beauty in everything from the buildings to the property to the horses. It was so fulfilling to see them soaking it all in! They were so engaged and interested in what we do here. I think I got more out of that than they did!
How did you initially find out about us?
II was looking to adopt a a companion for my mare. My internet search led me to DEFHR. I eventually adopted Oodles of Opals, a pony cross.
Did you have any previous equine experience(s) before volunteering with DEFHR? What was it?
Yes! I’ve ridden horses off and on since I was 6. My dad always had a horse or 2, and he got me a retired barrel racer as my first horse. I remember a snowy Christmas Eve when he blindfolded me and took me out and sat me on his back. It’s a sweet memory, but that horse knew only one speed, and he terrified me! After that, I got a fat little pony who had zero motivation to go. I rode from time to time as a teenager, and then started a family. Years later, I became close with a friend at church who had horses, and visited her one weekend to ride. I fell in love with it all over again and for years we went trail riding as often as we could. When she could no longer keep her horses due to health issues, I took one of them, and Midnight has been with me for 7 years now. I brought her with me when I moved from Nashville back to Maryland in 2018, and she and Oodles live with me on my property. I have no formal training but have worked with trainers throughout the years. I love Western trail riding! In TN, we went to a few horse camps and rode all day over various terrain and rivers the whole weekend. We swam the horses in the summer, and we’d wonder where “this” trail led. I miss those days!
Hands, Hearts & Hooves
Drop-InTourVolunteers
Our farm is open to the public for drop-in tours every day from 9am to 4pm! We could use some extra volunteer support on the weekends to help staff provide these tours to those who drop in and want to learn about DEFHR!
Barn Volunteers
Volunteers support our staff being able to effectively and efficiently take care of our herd and their needs; we frequently have NO volunteers on the listed days. Consider helping out!
Visiting Volunteer Group Point Volunteers
Any organization can contact Days End to schedule a day to come out and volunteer as a group. We need one of our volunteers to be their eyes and hands, making sure they have what they need and that they can navigate the farm!
Facilities Volunteers
As a working farm, things are always needing fixed. If you’re interested in learning what it takes to keep a farm going, what it takes to be ‘handy,’ or just want to build things, let Mattie know and you can join our FOT! (Facilities Operations Team)
UPCOMING GROUP
VOLUNTEER VISITS
Visitors can choose to sign up and help DEFHR through a group volunteer session, which lasts at least 2 hours and provides visitors with an educational introduction talk to the organization, a tour of the farm, an opportunity to complete a project-based volunteer session, and ends with a horse meet-andgreet.
December 6th 12:30-4pm Space Force Unit 8 Training Squadron
December 18th
10am - 2pm Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School
To register for events, go to www.defhr.org/calendar.
December 5th
December 13th
December 14th
December 18th
December 19th
Farrier Day
National Horse Day!
SANTA’s VILLAGE (see page 5 for details)
Volunteer Group - Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School (see page 14 for details)
Farrier Day
December 20th
December 20th - 21st
December 24th
December 24th
December 31st
Fall Interns Last Day
Tink’s Tack Sale
Christmas Eve Modified Hours
Christmas Day Modified Hours
New Years Eve Modified Hours
Happy Holidays...
Happiest holiday wishes from our herd to yours this holiday season!
Thank you for your dedication, time, and love.
Special Request
Our residential internship program is in need of a reliable used vehicle to support our interns as they travel between our facilities and the local community for essential tasks.
If you, or someone you know, has a car or truck they no longer need and would be willing to donate, it would be a tremendous help to our program and the dedicated interns who help us every day. Your generosity would directly support our mission and allow our interns to focus on their work with the horses.
Contact our Equine Programs Director for more information.
DE ETTE HILLMAN
Shop #4thehorses
All donations are tax-deductible!
If shipping directly to our farm, please ship: "Attn: Lynn" (horse-related) or "Attn: Sarah" (office-related)
Be sure to include your name and contact info in a note or separate email so you can recieve your donation receipt.
Thank you in advanced, and always, for your ongoing support of DEFHR's herd!
Donate #4thehorses
Many employers offer matching funds and paid time off to volunteer and give back to the community? Corporations and businesses are getting on board with matching donation amounts for their employees. For example, you donate $10 each paycheck (via automatic payroll deduction) then your employer matches your amount to your chosen charity!! Your employer may also offer paid time off to volunteer with your co-workers. Businesses partnering with local non-profits is a great way to show their support and give back to their local communities. Plus, employee group volunteering serves as a team building experience.
MCCORMICK SPICE, UNITED HEALTH CARE, T. ROWE PRICE, HOME DEPOT, RAYTHEON, CLOROX, CONSTELLATION ENERGY AND CVS HEALTH ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY COMPANIES GIVING BACK THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYEES.
Check with your employer’s human resources department for the give back programs they offer or about starting one! For corporate/business group volunteer opportunities, please email welcome@defhr.org.
Shop #4thehorses
Our horses' needs are constantly changing and their Amazon wish list is constantly being updated. Check out what's what they need to stay healthy and happy!
Amazon Wishlist
For every NEW customer referral, we receive $15 directly from Chewy. Be sure to use the referral link below to make the first purchase and donate to the farm!
Chewy Wishlist
MERCH DEFHR
DEFHR's Online Store
Refresh your wardrobe and support DEFHR, all at the same time! Each design is offered in a range of colors and styles, so there is something for everyone to wear while supporting the horses. Happy shopping!
Shopify Online Store
Tinkerbell's Tack & Treasures
OPEN 3rd Saturday and preceding Friday of every month. New and gently used equine tack, equipment, clothing and other related items.
Stop on in and get your shopping fix! You never know what you may find. All sales proceeds go back to DEFHR to continue with its mission.
NEXT SALE DAYS: December 20th21st Open 9am-4pm.
Res-Que License Plates
Show off your DEFHR support wherever you go and get your DEFHR Res-Que license plate today!
All you need to do is: stop by DEFHR's office fill out & submit an application submit $50 fee Once you receive your new plates in the mail, drop off your old license plates at the MVA or mail them in.
Email info@defhr.org with questions.
Email info@defhr.org with questions. Tink's is Open December 20th-21st 9am - 4pm Page 23
Volunteer Resources
Have feedback for DEFHR?
Need access to resources?
Follow the links below!
Online General Feedback Survey
Volunteer User Tutorial
Video Series
Bloomerang Volunteer
Bloomerang
