January Volunteer of the Month

John Bossler

Background
John was born in Pennsylvania and ended up in Edwardsburg Michigan after moving around the country a few times. He has been married to his wife Allison for 41 years, has 3 kids, 10 grandkids, and one dog named Izzy. He is a retired VP of operations from Siemens and had a horse farm for a number of years.

Time volunteering
He has been helping with classes here for two years-since January 2008

Why he began to volunteer
John says he started helping at LoveWay because he likes horses and kids. He had a horse farm for a large part of his life and missed being around the horses.

Favorite thing about LoveWay
Working with the younger kids in class is John’s favorite thing about LoveWay. He likes all the feedback they give during class.

Favorite Horse
Shanna is John’s favorite horse at LoveWay. She is nice and easy-going so he really enjoys working with her.

First Memory of LoveWay
John remembers one of his first classes as a volunteer here. He was working with a child that was around 6 years old that was non-verbal. While the student was riding, his horse stumbled and startled the student. He shouted “whoopee” which was the first word he had ever spoken. The child’s mother was watching the class and broke down in tears because she was so happy to hear her child speak.

In his spare time
Not only does John volunteer with us at LoveWay but he is also an active volunteer for CASA of Cass County. He likes to garden and golf and spend time with his grandkids in his spare time.

LoveWay on WSBT

LoveWay was recently covered on the evening news on WSBT. Click the following link to check it out!
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/80764142.html

LoveWay to offer winter horse camps

Enrollments are now open for winter horse camp at LoveWay, Inc.’s heated barn and arena. Camps are open to any child without a disability that is between the ages of 6-14 years old. Campers will enjoy a 3-day mini camp that is filled with English style horseback riding, safe handling, nutrition, care, equine physiology, and crafts. Camps are limited to six riders per session to ensure individualized attention to each participant.

Campers can choose to attend any of the 4 different sessions being offered.
Session 1: December 21-23 from 9:00am-12:00pm
Session 2: December 21-23 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Session 3: December 28-30 from 9:00am-12:00pm
Session 4: December 28-30 from 1:00pm-4:00pm

The cost of camp is $150. Contact Erica Furkis, Program Manager at (574) 825-5666 or programs@lovewayinc.org to request forms or more information.

LoveWay is also looking for experienced horse handlers to volunteer as buddies for these campers as well. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old to assist with camps. Anyone interested in helping should contact Aimee Miller, Volunteer Coordinator for more information at (574) 825-5666 or info@lovewayinc.org

October Volunteer of the Month

Jim Welz

Background
Jim grew up in northwest Pennsylvania where he met his wife while attending high school. After a series of moves, they ended up living in Goshen. He has 3 children and retired as the Vice President of Sales from Philips in Elkhart.

Time volunteering
He came to LoveWay in April 2007.

Why he began to volunteer
Jim’s grandson was the one who got him interested in volunteering. He used to ride at a therapeutic riding center in Connecticut so it inspired Jim to get involved here.

Favorite thing about LoveWay
Jim likes it that the kids that ride here are so happy. He says he always ends up walking out happier than he came in because their happiness is so contagious.

Favorite Horse
He likes Spike the best because he is little and spunky. He says he can relate to his hair issues too.

First memory of LoveWay
Jim remembers feeling like he was in over his head and not qualified to help in class when he first started here. He didn’t know exactly how to work with the students or how much to help them. Chris the instructor for his class reassured him and encouraged him to stick with it. After a rough first semester things got better and he’s glad he stuck around.

In his spare time
Jim’s favorite thing to do is golf in his free time. He is a member at Maplecrest in Goshen and usually plays golf at least 5 times a week when the weather is nice. He also enjoys visiting his grandkids in Chicago and Minneapolis.

Horses in Costumes

With Halloween coming up this weekend, the riders in Erica's able bodied lesson got the chance to dress up last Tuesday. The girls came dressed in costumes and brought outfits for their horses to wear as well. Pictured above from left are: Alyssa Hart & Leaka-ballerinas, Shelby Greis & Sam-Leprechauns, Kinsey Fisher & AJ-Leprechauns, and Melissa Stees & Babe-Cowgirls. The girls had a great time dressing up their horses who didn't seem to mind their crazy outfits.

Fall Fundraiser

For our fall fundraiser, LoveWay is partnering with PartyLite to sell candles and we need your help! LoveWay earns 50% of each dollar sold so this has the potential to raise a lot of much needed funds. You don't have to have any parties or make any commitments. All you need to do is pass a brochure along to 5 people you know. If 100 people sell at least 5 items, LoveWay can raise $5,000! You can also purchase single candles for yourself too. Don't forget, these candles make great gifts! Order forms can be picked up in the commons room. The candle sale runs until the end of October so don't wait to place your orders!

September Volunteer of the Month

Kim Huffman

Background
Kim currently lives in Goshen with his wife of 37 years Janet and is the Pastor at Goshen Christian Church. He grew up in Wabash County on a dairy farm and attended Bible College in Cincinnati. Kim has 2 children, 1 grandson and a granddaughter on the way.

Time volunteering
Kim has been helping at LoveWay since September of 2005

Why he began to volunteer
An ad in the newspaper sparked his interest in helping at LoveWay. He had recently moved to the Goshen area and was looking for some volunteer work to do. He had a horse when he was growing up and missed being around them. Here he gets to have a horse without all the expense.

Favorite memory about LoveWay
Kim remembers working with a student that was really afraid of the horses when he first started riding. By the end of the semester, the student really enjoyed riding and cried because he was sad that he didn’t get to come back.

Favorite Horse
Nibbles was his favorite because she was the first horse he worked with here.

First memory of LoveWay
When he first started here he was just “thrown into it” because LoveWay was so short on volunteers at the time and needed help so badly. He says it was about 6 weeks before he knew exactly what he was supposed to be doing.

In his spare time
Kim enjoys fishing and working with the Boy Scouts when not volunteering. He also likes to spend time with his 2 ½ year old grandson Trevor. He collects cans at his church for our can drive as well.