Solanco townlively.com
JANUARY 5, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVIII • NO 37
CROP Walk Raises Funds For Hunger Relief
Every Effort Is Woerth It
Woerth It Hollow offers an equine-assisted program for veterans and disabled people. BY COURTNEY MENGEL
n 2017, United States Army veteran Sara Hodgkiss transformed her family’s farm into an official nonprofit equine-assisted therapy organization. Woerth It Hollow (WIH), 269 Cooper Drive, Kirkwood, was purchased by Hodgkiss’ mother, Dorothy Woerth, in 1983. Together, Dorothy and Hodgkiss’ father, Greg, worked to renovate and maintain the farm. After serving in the Army, Hodgkiss worked through many personal problems. She later found horses that needed a second chance, so she decided to rehabilitate them and use them for a therapy program for veterans and people with disabilities. Hodgkiss created WIH to continue her legacy of service and help her fellow brothers and sisters in arms to be a part of this mission. She also mentioned that she could not do what she does without the support of her fiancé, Zach Farmer.
thing he has taught us,” stated Hodgkiss. In December, WIH was promoted in the season finale of “Operation Hidden Treasures,” a new television series that follows military veterans who find, recycle, and transform junk into treasures. In the episode, Iraq war veteran Jeff Sanders rode a horse for the first time since his leg was amputated. Day Iseminger, a volunteer at WIH, explained, “He said that when he heard (my daughter) Chesapeake was going to get on a horse, she inspired him to do the same.” Chesapeake Wood was born 15 weeks premature and has cerebral palsy. Iseminger said she and her daughter love coming to WIH. Readers who are interested in supporting WIH, instructing sessions, or participating in its programs may contact Hodgkiss at woerthithollow@gmail.com or 717-682-6976 or visit www.woerthithollow.net.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE SHS Students Earn Academic Honor . . . . . . . .2 Rotarians Participate In Wreaths Across America . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Business Directory . . . . . .4 House Of Worship . . . . . . .9 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .9
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“This is, like, a really, really includes grooming and guiding good foundation,” said farrier horses through their paces while Troy Rowen, “and it was started standing beside them. This method right. I mean, you know, crawl establishes a bond and trust before you walk, walk before you between the person and the horse. run, and that’s what Among WIH’s supthe program is porters is John “ T h i s i s , l i k e , a Beachel, a horsemanabout. It’s helping horses and then really, really good ship trainer and U.S. foundation ... and Army veteran who helping veterans.” Hodgkiss noted i t w a s s t a r t e d has been working in that the goal for right. I mean, you the industry for 2022 is for Rowen to know, crawl before more than 40 years. instruct a few ses- y o u w a l k , w a l k Beachel spent a year sions at WIH. “I’m b e f o r e y o u r u n , and a half at WIH just going to try to a n d t h a t ’ s w h a t instructing volunstart having multiple t h e p r o g r a m i s teers, veterans, and different people that about. It’s helping disabled individuals. I trust and that have h o r s e s a n d t h e n Because of his schededucated me and ask ule being on the road helping veterans.” to do clinics and them to come help educate the veterans body work with horsand just give back to them the same es, he is no longer with the organiway that they give to me,” com- zation. He continues to lend his mented Hodgkiss. support and plans to occasionally Before riding horseback, partici- stop by and check in. pants focus on groundwork, which “We’re very grateful for every-
The 2021 Solanco CROP Walk took place at Muddy Run Park in Holtwood on Oct. 16. Before the walk, participants had opportunities to take photos with posters that said, “I am helping to ‘beet’ hunger and ‘squash’ poverty around the block and around the world!” There were 73 participants, including some virtual walkers, representing 13 community churches and organizations. They took a 5-mile walk through Muddy Run, and refreshments were served before and after the walk. The final fundraising total was more than $17,078 - the thirdhighest amount raised in the 41 years of the Solanco CROP Walk. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised were to go to Church World Service, and 25% were to be directed to Solanco Neighborhood Ministries.
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