Two Generations of Family Volunteering at High Hopes
If you have visited High Hopes on a Monday morning, chances are you’ve met Ann. Ann, a former State Department of Education Event Coordinator, has been part of the High Hopes corps of volunteers since grandson Cole started riding seven years ago. A volunteer in a number of areas, Ann’s Mondays are at the front desk, answering the phone, conveying messages and most important of all, greeting participants and visitors. Friendly and kind, Ann enjoys getting to know participants, visitors, fellow volunteers and staff, greeting everyone like old friends.
Cole, at 12 the youngest High Hopes volunteer, is following in his grandmother’s footsteps without missing a beat. Cole began volunteering in December of last year. Two years younger than the usual beginning High Hopes volunteer, Cole works with staff mentor Marci, High Hopes’ Education and Impact Director. Working in the barn Cole has tackled jobs from using his sewing skills to fix fly masks, to cleaning tack, to shoveling out stalls, to “whatever hasn’t been finished yet.” In addition to learning a variety of tasks in the barn and to be prepared to do whatever is needed, Cole says he has also learned how to pay attention when he is being told what to do.
Cole’s hobbies include watching Anime, sewing, reading, arts & crafts, and video games. When asked what he’d like people to know about him he answered “My name, one less step to introducing myself.” He also said he wanted to volunteer “to get to help the horses, and get to help the place I’ve have been coming to for so long.” Cole is certainly doing just that.