Back in the Saddle Equine Therapy Center
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Staff
    • Our Herd
  • Programs
    • Therapeutic Riding
    • RideUp/StepUp
    • Vacation Day Camps
    • Vocational Education
  • Testimonials
  • Volunteer
  • Support
    • Ways you can help
    • BITS' Wish List
  • News
    • Past Events
  • Contact

2016 Volunteers of the Month


December's Volunteer of the Month:
​Heather Chafe

Picture
Congratulations Heather!
 
We’d like to recognize your valued contribution to BITS, and let others be inspired by your generous nature.  Please tell us a little about why you volunteer.  You can schedule a ONE HOUR RIDING LESSON OR GROUND WORK with Melissa for you and a friend anytime over the next thirty days...see you “back in the saddle!”
And THANK YOU!
Please tell us:
HOW YOU HEARD ABOUT BITS:  My school, New England College’s, ConNECtions fair.
 
WHEN YOU BEGAN VOLUNTEERING: October, 2016
 
WHAT DO YOU DO AT BITS ETC NOW?   Barn chores and lessons.
 
FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING: My favorite part of volunteering is getting to partake in the lessons. Seeing the kids smile and just having a good time always brightens my mood, and working with the horses helps calm my anxiety.
 
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING: N/A
 
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT HERE? Be a student, play soccer or work.

November's Volunteer of the Month:
​ Karen Mejiah

Picture
 Congratulations Karen! 

We’d like to recognize your valued contribution to BITS, and let others be inspired by your generous nature. And THANK YOU! 
How you learned about BITS?  Through a Volunteer website - volunteermatch.com

When You began Volunteering?  I can’t remember the exact date but I believe it was the month of August of 2016. 

Why did you decide to volunteer at BITS?  I decided to start volunteering with BITS because of my interest with horses. 

What do you do at BITS ETC now?  I help by feeding the horses and getting their grain set up for the morning. I also help with cleaning - like the barn and picking.  I check their water bowls and if there isn’t enough, I fill the horses. Once in awhile I walk the mini’s around. I spread around shavings and give horses hay. I also groom some of the horses now and again.

What is your favorite part of volunteering?  I think my favorite part of volunteering is seeing the horses and I wish I could volunteer more often. 

What is your least favorite part of volunteering?  I think the smell, their poop is very stinky. It’s okay though cause seeing them every week makes it better. 

What do you do when you are not here?  I’m currently a high school senior and I work part time, so when I’m not at school or BITS ETC I’m most likely at work because I’m a workaholic. I do find time to hang out with my friends on days I don’t have school, work, or volunteering. 

What information would you like to share with others about BITS?  I would just like to say that even though I may not volunteer as often as I’d like I know that it’s a wonderful place that treats the horses they care for with kindness and love. I think it was a great decision to come and volunteer here.

We are so happy to have all the dedicated volunteers who keep BITS going strong.  There is a special story behind everyone who comes to BITS. We’d like to share that story with others as a way to thank Volunteers for their service. In addition to a picture, a bio, and a big Thanks, this monthly recognition comes with 2 free riding lessons with our therapeutic riding instructor:  one for the volunteer of the month, and one for a friend. Whether from the ground, or ‘back in the saddle’ we’d like you to experience some of the pleasure our horses bring to others, and why we do all the hard work to keep our herd happy and healthy.  
-- Pauline Meridien, Director, BITS ETC

October 2016 Volunteer of the Month:
Nicole Sylvester

Picture
 Congratulations, Nicole!  As you know, every month we like to recognize a volunteer’s valued contribution to BITS and hope others will be inspired by their generous nature.  We thank you and a friend by offering you both a free one hour lesson, either riding or groundwork, sometime during the next thirty days.  THANK YOU!​

“Hello.  My name is Nic!
“I heard about BITS from Melissa, and have been volunteering here since April, 2016.
I love my time at BITS!  It makes my heart happy that I am able to give encouragement and assistance to others.  Sometimes I even get to ride a horse, which is my absolute favorite thing!  I do not always like cleaning the paddocks, especially when it is very hot outside.
“I do a little of everything here, from cleaning stalls to lesson assistance.  My two girls ride here and really enjoy their time with the horses and their leaders.  My husband has also spent time here at BITS, although he is slightly afraid of horses!
“As a family we enjoyed helping Miss Pauline and Mystique at a Monarchs game this summer selling 50/50 raffle tickets.  We really love giving our time to our community, especially in fresh, clean air! 
“Outside of BITS I work as a waitress and bartender at The Country Spirit and Pats Peak Ski Resort.  I like to ski… but much prefer horseback riding.
“When I am not at BITS or working, I love spending time with my family.  I knit scarves for friends and just try to breathe.  My mom would like for me to “volunteer” my time to clearing the top of my dryer, but I sometimes conveniently forget!
“I come to BITS to fill my heart and soul with loving to the people who ride here, the people who work here, but mostly to the animals who live here.  We are such a fortunate family and being able to share my time allows me to relax, be myself, and remember that life is for living happily.
“I would volunteer on a full-time basis if I was financially able to.  My time is so precious and I will continue to work hard and listen carefully so that I can volunteer here indefinitely.
“I want to thank everyone who has guided me along and I feel I have made some life-lasting friends.”

September 2016 Volunteer of the Month:  
​Deb Johnson

Picture
 We’d like to recognize your valued contribution to BITS, and let others be inspired by your generous nature.  Please tell us a little about why you volunteer.
And THANK YOU!
Please tell us:
HOW YOU HEARD ABOUT BITS:  Internet

WHEN YOU BEGAN VOLUNTEERING: 2008
WHAT DO YOU DO AT BITS ETC NOW?   Barn chores
FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING:  The great people I have met.
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING:  N/A
​WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT HERE? Work

Deb may not say much, but her actions speak volumes.  There have been times when we've been quite short-staffed and she always seems to be able to step in at a moment's notice to help in any way possible.  For that we can't thank her enough.


August Volunteer of the Month:  Mike Boldini

Picture
Congratulations Mike! You have been chosen as August’s Volunteer of the Month.  

We’d like to recognize your valued contribution to BITS, and let others be inspired by your generous nature.  The work you do around the grounds is incredibly appreciated!  Please tell us a little about why you volunteer,.  You can schedule a ONE HOUR RIDING LESSON OR GROUND WORK with Melissa for you and a friend anytime over the next thirty days...see you “Back in the saddle!  
And THANK YOU!
HOW YOU HEARD ABOUT BITS: I heard about BITS from Kathy Foote.
WHEN YOU BEGAN VOLUNTEERING: I started volunteering in May 2016.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT BITS ETC NOW? I’m helping with yard work, equipment maintenance, horse feeding and grooming.
FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING: Meeting the other volunteers and staff.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT HERE?  Work and work and build computers and work…


July's Volunteer of the Month:  Marie Wilson

June's Volunteer of the Month - Aidan!

April's Volunteer of the Month - Lynn Clough ​

Picture
Congratulations Lynn!   You have been chosen as April’s Volunteer of the Month.
We’d like to recognize your valued contribution to BITS, and let others be inspired by your generous nature.  Please tell us a little about why you volunteer.  THANK YOU!

HOW YOU HEARD ABOUT BITS: I first heard about BITS while working at a school and some of our students attended.  A few years later I was babysitting and brought the kiddo to BITS and realized that I just HAD to be there and help.  
WHEN YOU BEGAN VOLUNTEERING: I don’t remember the day, but I know that I began as soon as I could after finding out about the volunteering opportunities  at B.I.T.S. 
WHAT DO YOU DO AT BITS ETC NOW: I volunteer on Sunday mornings so I get to feed the horses, pick fields/stalls, and a variety of other chores that need to be done; depending on the weather and what the horses need.  
FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING: Everything is my favorite! I love knowing that I am helping an organization support people in positive ways. I love B.I.T.S. and the work they do. 
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING: Paperwork, thanks Ritz!!!
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT HERE? I am often reading, doing fun activities with my dogs; living the dream!!!


February's Volunteer of the Month - Gale Fligg

Picture
Congratulations GALE! You have been chosen as February’s Volunteer of the Month. We’d like to recognize your valued contribution to BITS, and let others be inspired by your generous nature. Please tell us a little about why you volunteer,. You can schedule a ONE HOUR RIDING LESSON OR GROUND WORK with Melissa anytime over the next thirty days...see you “Back in the saddle! And THANK YOU.

​HOW Y
OU HEARD ABOUT BITS: Through a friend that volunteered here.
WHEN YOU BEGAN VOLUNTEERING: About three years ago.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT BITS ETC NOW: A little bit of everything.
FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING: Taking care of horses, cleaning paddocks
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING: (she has no answer!)
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT HERE? I work with people with disabilities, do sewing crafts

January 2016 Volunteer of the Month:  Kori Low

Picture
CONGRATULATIONS to Kori for being BITS' Volunteer of the Month for January! Kori started coming to BITS as an intern and we are thrilled she continues to volunteer. Thank you for your dedication, Kori. We love having you on our team!
HOW YOU HEARD ABOUT BITS: I heard about BITS while doing research for an internship site.
WHEN YOU BEGAN VOLUNTEERING: I started volunteering in September 2015.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT BITS ETC NOW? I’m an intern through NHTI – Concord… so a little bit of everything, I think! Helping with lessons, riding, chores…
FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING: The dynamic between all the staff and volunteers! It’s so awesome being a part of the “family” here…I haven’t met anyone yet whose company I don’t enjoy!
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF VOLUNTEERING: Wet gloves.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT HERE? Spend even more time in the Saddle! And I spend a lot of time staying active and drinking good coffee. ….And wedding planning!

Back In The Saddle
Equine Therapy Center
334 College Hill Road, Hopkinton, NH 03229
603-746-5681   •   info@bitsetc.org