Its amazing that we have been in operation for seven years!  It seems like just yesterday we were all sitting around the table at the barn, on that warm summer day, wondering if we could really do this….I guess we did!  In the past seven years, we have rescued and rehabilitated 22 horses.  It has been an arduous and very rewarding journey.
From our first rescue, aptly named “Uno”, to the most recent, “Nora”, it has been a journey that none of us will ever forget.  We have rehomed many horses, learned more than we could have ever imagined and made some wonderful friends along the way.  We have ten horses at the moment – several are just waiting for their new forever homes.
In this short seven years, we have not only successfully rehabilitated 22 horses, but we have built a great board of directors and gained much respect in our community.  We want to thank the Grapeview, Allyn, Shelton, Belfair and other communities for their support.  One of our biggest goals was to successfully implement our therapeutic riding program and expand that to visiting nursing facilities with our miniature horses.  This had been near and dear to our hearts.  Our lesson program is soaring to new heights and we have a on-site Equine Massage Therapist, working not only on the rescued horses but other horses as well.
One of the most exciting events for our organization this year was that the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Charity Trust Board presented Sunrise Equine Rescue with a $25,000 grant!  This generous grant, designated for medical/dental needs and hay, has allowed us to really focus on building a stronger foundation for our organization.  The two annual dinner, dance and silent auction events, one in March and one in November, as well as other fundraisers held annually at KBH Archery club, Allyn Days, Whaling Days, Taste of Hood Canal, Kiwanis Builders Club, and the Burley Bazaar, allow the rest of our funds to be focused on hoof care and other supplies.  We continually develop solid relationships and much appreciated supporters in local residents and businesses, and some not so local.
Visit the giving tree at The Equine Shoppe in Poulsbo and pick an item of the tree to help support the horses in our care.  Also supporting us this Christmas in Maddy’s Old Town Flowers, creating and selling beautiful horse head wreaths and donating the proceeds of these sales to Sunrise Equine Rescue!  And don’t forget about the “Rescue Pooh”—it is still available in large quantities.  We want to sincerely thank all the volunteers that helped support our organization throughout the year.  Without each donation, we could not succeed.
We are already planning our next dinner dance and silent auction, “Lucky Horse Dance”, to be held in March.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like to donate an auction item, please contact us at the information below.  We are always looking for volunteers for any number of duties, not only at the barn, but at the fundraisers, too.
As always, give us a call, make an appointment to come on down to give us a hand and get some mud on your boots!  For more info, visit sunriseequinerescue.org or call 360-275-2960.  We’re on Facebook.  Located on 401 E. Mason Benson Road, Grapeview, WA  98528

This beautiful summer is finally winding down, bringing with it a nip in the air and my favorite time of year. Fall leaves, brisk mornings, fuzzy warm fur as the horses are filling in their coats for the winter.  Cooler temperatures and of course, the rain.  

Speaking of change, you really must meet the newest member of our heard, 8-year old Diablo, a  beautiful paint pony gelding.  He is in rehabilitation and doing wonderfully.

Our therapeutic riding program is also progressing well.  We now have regular participants and we are all learning so much.  Ray Dolezal built a raised mounting platform for our riders to mount more easily and we are still raising funds to acquire or build a wheelchair ramp with mounting platform.  

Keep a look out for our fundraiser events coming up soon, posted on Facebook, our website and around town this fall and winter.  Remember even if you are unable to attend our events, you may also sponsor a horse monthly or quarterly or whatever time frame you choose.  We are in the process of building a newsletter that will go out to all our sponsors and volunteers!

As always, give us a call, make and appointment to come on down to give us a hand and get some mud on your boots!  Contact us at (360) 275-2960.  We are located at 401 E. Mason Benson Road, Grapeview, WA 98528.

Can you believe this beautiful weather, another reminder to be sure your animals have plenty of fresh water and shade.  Speaking of water, be sure to look for Sunrise Equine Rescue's fundraising booth with Snickers, Cloud, Mr. Ed-ucation, and Addy (The Donkey) at Allyn Days Festival on July 18th and 19th.  Our booth is located down on the waterfront.  We will have information about our programs and horses.  visit our fundraisers, photos with the minis and face painting.  Keep a lookout for the mini parade, we travel throughout the whole park several times a day!  Whaling Days will be the following weekend, July 25th & 26th, where we will also be fundraising with face painting.  Come join us and watch Addy the donkey and the minis in the Silverdale Dandy Lion Parade!  These events take a huge amount of work to set up and take down; volunteers are always needed and welcome! Learn about our therapeutic riding program and more ways to volunteer.  Check out our website and visit us on Facebook.

As always, give us a call, make an appointment to come on down to give us a hand and get some mud on your boots!  For more info, visit sunrisequinerescue.org or call (360) 275-2960; located on 401 E Mason Benson Road, Grapeview, WA  98528.

Whew! Tax Crunch is over...at least for a while!  Horses and taxes make two full-time jobs for sure!  A big thank you goes to everyone who supported The Lucky Horse fundraiser in March.  Everyone had a great time.  The auction and fundraiser did well; we were able to pay our veterinarian bill in full; and the spaghetti was pretty good too!  The phenomenal Lester Crow bank was, as always, amazing and fun.  We are so thankful to have them be a part of our great cause.  The cooking fundraiser for the KBH Archery Club's Spring Fling on the last weekend of March went very well also.

Many thanks to the priceless volunteers who helped make these events such a joy as we lovingly work to benefit the horses.  Fundraising events are not easy to put on, but with the right group of people it seems like they flow so smoothly.  Everyone works hard individually and as a group.  It makes the events really relaxing and enjoyable, knowing everyone is watching out for one another.

I also would like to personally thank "the reader last month."  You are much appreciated.  

April 6th was our first volunteer training class for Therapeutic Horseback Riding Lessons.  Our volunteers are ready to assist riders with special needs.  The Spring Session began Monday, April 13th and ends June 7th.  Summer Sessions begins June 22nd; for more dates and details, please call Amy Plets at (616) 893-6911.  We are very excited and looking forward to making a difference in some human and equine lives.

Just a reminder:  The third Saturday of every month is Volunteer Coordination Day.  This month it is on April 18th begninning at 10 am.  Please check in with Brooke Mills, the Volunteer Coordinator.  

As always, give us a call, make an appointment and catch a glimpse of what we see in these beautiful horses; oh, and remember, you will get some mud on your boots.