We spent our break diving into a few COVID postponed maintenance work around the center. Of course it was like tackling your own home to-do list, it grew five minutes after starting and as soon as you open the wall you realize that the job is going to be bigger than expected!
Just because we can’t gather, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a crab feast! Order now by Monday, Feb 22nd and pickup your fresh Feed Bag at our center in Orinda on Friday, February 26th.
Our students, Veterans, and adults with disabilities, plus our volunteers, our herd, and staff, all thank you for your support. Enjoy the Moment!
We have very special Volunteers who demonstrate care, passion, love, humor, energy, and strength every day! And this year they enthusiastically joined us on our winding journey through a challenging year with many new protocols, restrictions, requirements, and changes…stay in your bubble! But they knew we could not stay open for our students, alumni, and Veterans unless they followed protocols at the center and at home. They did this with a smile and thanked us for the opportunity! WOW!
We are humbly thankful for all our amazing volunteers who made an otherwise crazy year, a year full of silver linings, helping hands, and lots of love & laughter. We could not do this without each and every one of them.
And Congratulations to Barbara Donovan, our 2020 Jean Schaffner Volunteer of the Year! Since 2007 she has tirelessly helped in so many ways – Weekday lessons, Summer Camp art maven, Camp Alumni, BPS, and Gala Committee & Silent Auction Co-chair – whew! And a lot of tasks in between!
Had enough Turkey and all the fixings?! Don’t wait…place your order by Saturday 12/5.
Choose from curbside pick up, limited outdoor seating, or local delivery ($15) by our staff – To arrange delivery call the restaurant at 925-820-6969.
You will have an easy memorable dinner and help us finish out 2020 on a high note…10% of sales and all tips go to Xenophon! Don’t miss out on a winning combo…supporting Xenophon and EnJoying a fabulous stress-free dinner! Make your selections now!
And then we flowed right into Halloween Week! We’re sharing the FUN! Thank you Diane & Rebecca for your amazing designs and creativity for our herd!
A little Wizard of OZ, add in Wonder Woman, and finish up with our Angel Ozzie and Handsome Devil Ruthven! More photos on our FB page!
At Xenophon we celebrate the Moments of Joy together! Listen to Julian’s Story!
We are extremely grateful that we could operate in 2020, providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone…participants, volunteers, families, and staff. Together we followed protocols and kept each other in mind, both on and off Xenophon property – a team effort!
Julian was chosen to speak at our 2020 Gala. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our annual gala fundraiser in March and lost many hours of lessons this year with limited programs, reducing our revenue over 63%. Our therapy horses still need our high level care and feeding, our facilities still need upkeep to remain safe for all, and we need your help to survive the rest of a challenging 2020 with the ability to welcome back our students, Veterans, alumni, and passionate volunteers in 2021.
Support our efforts to continue the Magic!
Our online Auction and fundraiser will be LIVE Friday, October 9th to Saturday, October 24th on Bidding For Good.
Follow Rudney Associates to our DONATE NOW section and double our support…Rudney Associates will match donations up to $5,000!!
Register to Bid for an array of fun and useful auction lots – we all need a change of scenery or at least a change for our tastebuds – including wine, restaurant certificates (To Go or not To Go!), a Cabin in Tahoe, a Chateau in France, and non-athletic wear for the holidays!
Thank You for Your Support!
Our therapy horses are the backbone of our programs and bring such JOY to everyone they meet! So, during this time of uncertainty, we want to give everyone a smile, a positive story, a little insight into the personalities of our herd. We’re putting together videos about each horse, adding them as we complete, just click on their name below and Enjoy the Moment!
Read all about Xenophon and the communities we serve in this wonderful article by Deborah Kirk. We’re thrilled to share our moments of joy!
Our Annual Horse Show brought out the best in our students, Veterans, and Horses, plus our volunteers, friends, and family…everyone grinned with pride, joy, and excitement!
50+ riders showed off their skills and accomplishments in step with their equine therapy partner…sitting up tall, oozing with confidence, and after their presentation, raising their trophy high while soaking in the admiration from the crowd.
Our Xenophon’s Operation Hooves on the Ground Veterans also shared their new skills; showing the power of the relationship between themselves and their incredible therapy horse.
A HUGE thank you to our passionate volunteers, working before, during, and after the Show to ensure a smooth ride for all! The center looked fresh, our herd looked beautiful, and the BBQ was grilled to perfection.
Special thanks to our amazing partners: SonRise Equestrian Foundation for bringing two of their beloved therapy horses to our show to help ease our herd’s load; The Peter Pan Foundation and their Princesses & Action Heroes bringing joy and excitement to our Opening Ceremony; Barsotti Family Juice Co. for donating juices and lemonade for our BBQ; Julian Passmore, Xenophon student, for creating a unique purple bandana to sell and raise funds for Xenophon; Mike Miller and the United Steel Workers for sponsoring the individual trophies our students received; Lisa Browning and Friends for providing the beautiful hand-carved wood rocking horse in the Winner Circle; Clipped Wings of Oakland, NCL Walnut Creek, NCL Lamorinda, Boys Team Charity, and Scout Troop 810 for adding helping hands at the Show; and Canine Companions for Independence for providing canine hugs and kisses throughout the day!
Check out some of the smiles below and keep smiling with more images here! EnJoy the Moment!
At Xenophon, the thing we love most, the thing that keeps us coming back, that makes us smile, are the Moments of Change. Those are the memorable moments, they make us feel a part of something, feel passion, motivation, joy, confidence, and that is what we are privileged to experience every day at Xenophon.
Every person filmed, parent, volunteer, veteran, staff, no matter their connection to Xenophon, used the same two words somewhere in their responses…JOY and FAMILY. No two greater words to describe Xenophon! Enjoy the video…we joyfully share everything going on at the center and hope you become part of our family!
