Sunday Lifestyles

Healing with Horses: Cummins’ staff powers through Centaur Stride needs

Lists. We all have them. Somehow, no matter how hard we work, the list never seems to get shorter.

At Centaur Stride, there is always something that needs to be repaired, painted, cleaned, built or improved -- and plenty of work waiting for willing hands. Our volunteers are crucial for the daily provision of service to our riders and care of our horses, but we need help with so much more. Coordinating volunteers for bigger projects is usually much more stressful and difficult than the delivery of services, which already takes a lot of planning and organization.

That is why Centaur Stride is especially grateful for the Jamestown Cummins Engine Plant Grant and Volunteer Day. Centaur Stride can apply for a Cummins volunteer work crew to spend several hours helping tackle the projects on its long list. We were even able to secure a grant from Cummins to provide some of the materials needed for our projects.

Last week, 14 Cummins employees arrived at the barn ready to work. Their mission: stain the barn. This is the second Cummins’ Volunteer work day this year.

Staining the barn was a job that had been on the list for quite some time. The wood had become so dry and thirsty that it soaked up the stain almost as quickly as it could be applied.

The crew could have used a sprayer, which might have made the job faster, but brushing on the stain allows it to penetrate the wood more thoroughly and helps it last longer. Besides, anyone who has ever worked with a sprayer knows that it always seems to clog at exactly the wrong moment.

So, the volunteers picked up their brushes and got to work.

And, as the saying goes, many hands make light work.

In just four hours, the crew made significant progress, using up 22 gallons of stain. But with approximately 35 gallons needed to complete the project, there is still a long way to go. Some of the most difficult areas are also the highest ones, making them challenging to reach safely.

Centaur Stride is looking for additional community members who would be willing to spend some time helping finish the staining project. Even a few hours can make a difference.

Having the proper equipment would make it possible to safely reach the higher sections of the barn and continue making progress on this much-needed project. Another item on the Centaur Stride wish list is a donation for the use or rental of a high lift.

Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to call the barn at (716) 326-4318 to arrange a convenient time to help.

The Cummins volunteer program reflects the company's goal of providing funds and employee support that directly impact organizations serving the community while promoting equality of opportunity.

That mission fits naturally with the work of Centaur Stride. Inclusion and integration are central to the organization's purpose. Through therapeutic and adaptive riding opportunities, participants can experience the many physical, emotional and functional benefits that come from riding horses. Those gains can help riders build skills and confidence, physically and mentally, that may lead to greater opportunities in other areas of life.

So, while the list at Centaur Stride may never truly disappear, last week brought a welcome reminder that we have a community who cares, businesses that cherish their non-profit sector, and that equality of opportunity can be the difference for a more purposeful and fulfilling life.

With a generous grant, 14 dedicated Cummins employees, and more community volunteers willing to lend a hand, a very long list can become a little shorter--and a lot more manageable.

Thank you to all the donors and volunteers that help us keep Centaur Stride able to make a difference in so many lives. Visit Linktr.ee/centaurstride for all media information.