Walk-a-thon 2011
Despite the pouring and driving rain, that started our day on Saturday September 24th, the 8th annual Walk-a-thon was an awe-inspiring success. As the volunteers began preparing for the day, we all said prayers under our breath that the rain would stop and the Walk-a-thon would take place. And take place it did! God truly blessed us not only with the weather but the total raised was well over $14,000. We had a fantastic time once the sun came out and the fun began. The walk started a few minutes late in the beginning but went off without a hitch. Jon Roberts started the walkers out leading them around the course on the ATV. Family and friends came out in support of the farm and what it means to the community. The band, Hollow Oak Project, played their hearts out during lunch. Many thanks go to the band for a well done performance. A big thank you goes to Tony Bartlett for arranging them for us.
The barbeque was excellent as always. Thanks to Ron, Rita and Rachel Steele (Ron Steele Plumbing) for providing such a wonderful meal that was enjoyed by all. The amount of desserts left your eyes bulging. Thank you to Janice Helms, Jean Davis and Marina Curtis for helping with registration and T-shirts. Tony Bartlett made cowboy statues out of horseshoes that were auctioned off to the highest bidders. Thank you to all who participated in the auction. It not only was fun, but we raised over $200 for the iron cowboys. Door prizes were raffled off with much triumph to the winner and laughter flowing from the crowd.
Anika Little was the highest sponsored rider with a total over of $2,000. Dave Hill had the highest amount raised for individuals, $3,250. T-shirts can be purchased at the farm for $10 each. Get them while they last! The Most Improved Rider of the Year award went to Jon Roberts. We are very proud of his accomplishments!
Many thanks goes to those who volunteered no matter if you cooked, cleaned, organized, donated time or money to make this year a huge success. Our ministry depends on the successful fundraisers like this one to continue supporting our community. A big thank you goes to all. Let’s do it again next year!
Walk-a-thon 2004
Our first annual walk-a-thon was a huge success! Our goal for this event was to have 50 walkers and raise $5,000 towards our covered riding arena fund. However, God blessed us and multiplied our efforts bringing 70 people to the walk and raising $11, 235!! We cannot begin to express our gratitude in the effort each of you put into this event. Your generosity and diligence will help us quickly meet the goal of $75,000 for the first phase of the covered arena. A special thanks to Melissa Myers for being the top fundraiser bringing in $3,300!! Also, we extend our gratitude to Doug and Tracy Kloc for donating lunch for the participants. Beck Imports of Charlotte also made a donation to make our t-shirts possible for this event. Again, many heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped plan, set-up, find sponsorship, and clean up from this exciting event. We can't wait until next year!
7th Annual Walk-A-Thon News
Angelic Riders would like to thank everyone who participated in the 7th Annual Walkathon! It was a huge success! God provided great weather and we had over 100 people come out to enjoy a beautiful three mile walk around the farm and neighboring land. Afterwards everyone enjoyed delicious barbeque and music. A wonderful time was had by all and we are excited to have another successful Walk-a-Thon in the books!
A special thanks goes out to Janice Helms who helped provide our t-shirts for the Walk-a-Thon
~in loving memory of James H. Helms, 6/22/30 - 9/25/09~
Our award for the 2010 Most Improved Rider is Emily Lawrence. Great job Emily!
Buddy's Buddies raised the most money for a team- $1355.
Pictured: Cathy Burton accepting award
David Hill won the plaque for most money raised by an individual- $2945.00
Honorable mentions went to Donald Ray McGee, $1050.00, Anika Little $1030.00, and Greg Pressley with $750.00
Thank you to everyone who helped make the day a success!
The Covered Riding Area Is Here!
Okay, so it took a while to get a photo of it on the website but alas, here it is!! For those of you who don't already know the details... With the decision to finance the construction, the Covered Riding Area was completed last November (2005) and has been such a blessing. Thanks to everyone who has helped in raising money toward its cost. We will continue to dog-ear all the money raised by our annual Walk-A-Thon for payments towards the Covered Riding Area. It's been great to get out of the rain, and even lately to step into the shade. The riders really enjoy the independence of riding in there and playing new games and learning new skills. Come out for a visit and check it out if you haven't seen it already!!
Austin Grove Baptist Church
We'd like to thank the gentlemen from Austin Grove Baptist Church for donating and building two sets of feeding pens for our geldings and mares' pastures. They not only look beautiful, but are truly needed in helping us to insure each horse gets its prescribed feed and plenty of time to eat it without another hungrier horse barging in!! Thanks, guys (and gal, Gloria : ) for all your hard work!
Jesse Helms Center Foundation
So, we receive this check in the mail from The Jesse Helms Center Foundation for over $300. We come to find out they held a Free Enterprise Leadership Conference for young adults to compete, learning business and marketing skills as well as teamwork. Well, one of our volunteers, Hanna Barbee, participated in this Conference and her team "won" and therefore got to choose where the money that was raised would be donated. And there you have it, she convinced her group to select Mephibosheth Farms. Thanks, Hanna, for thinking of us, we really appreciate all you do!
Happy Birthday Paul!!!
Mephibosheth Farms is so blessed by the Nestor Family. This year for young Paul's birthday, in lieu of gifts, notes were sent out for friends and family to send donations to Mephibosheth Farms. We received many checks with "In Honor of Paul's Birthday" written in the memo section for weeks!! Something so generous, and so simple made such a big difference! Thank you, Paul, and the Nestor's for thinking of us on your special day.
Morning Star Presbyterian VBS
We'd like to thank Nancy Nestor of Morning Star Presbyterian for all of her efforts in helping Mephibosheth Farms. 
Nancy had us come out and speak at Morning Star's VBS Kick off Celebration to help spread awareness of who we are and what we do. Their theme happened to be a "Dude Ranch"...how cute were all the kids dressed up like little cowboys and cowgirls? Well as the evening progressed they announced Mephibosheth to be the focus for donations and were able to supply us with over 30 cases of much needed bottled water for our volunteers during these hot summer months. This is just one of those expenses that you can easily overlook but as the year goes on, really adds up, so thank you to all who kept us hydrated!!!!
Passport to Beautify Trails
Passport Youth Camps came out to Mephibosheth Farms again, this past summer and cleared out even more of our wooded trails. These trails are often the highlight of the lesson as the riders really enjoy not only the spinners and birdhouses, but of course the SHADE!! Thanks so much to everyone who gave their time and effort for the Farm.
Troop 169
We'd like to thank Nick Long of Boy Scout Troop 169 for building Mephibosheth Farms a much needed rain shed for our pasture. As part of Nick's Eagle Scout project, he organized all the components of material, labor and actual construction for his troop to build another shelter for the gelding's pasture this past May of 2005.
