EquiFriends Wranglers of the Year 2003
By Evie Bredeson, Development Director
Chuck & Virginia Tripp win “Honorary Wrangler of Merit Award”
This year, the EF Board of Directors was proud to present the “Honorary Wrangler of Merit Award” to two very special volunteers, Chuck and Virginia Tripp.
Chuck and Virginia have been instrumental in helping EquiFriends achieve its goals and have served above and beyond the call of duty over many years. They have given unselfishly to help build the program to become the viable source of help for disabled citizens that it is today.
Both “retired” from other jobs and active in other aspects of community service, Chuck and Virginia have remained constant in their support for EquiFriends for over 12 years. They began volunteering in the early years when Chuck donated his time as the program’s first farrier. While Chuck was in the barn trimming the horses, Virginia was volunteering in classes and offering assistance in the office. Soon, Virginia, a skilled secretary, was spending two to three days a week at EquiFriends, either typing, answering phones or in classes. Virginia then became a Board Member where she served for many years. She still remains on the roster as an advisory board member.
Over and above their volunteering at the stable, both Virginia and Chuck have been involved with almost every fundraiser and project since 1990. They have ridden in almost every Ride-A-Thon, raising hundreds of dollars for the program. They have attended every benefit dinner/auction and have always brought friends to fill a table of ten. One year, they took their oxen and covered wagon through local parades to promote EF. Another year they brought their tractor to EF to help build an outdoor arena.
Virginia and Chuck are still going as strong as ever…in fact, it’s hard to keep up with them. When EF made the move to Les Chevaux Stables, Virginia and Chuck were right there, helping to remove stall walls and to build new offices in the remodeling project. Through the years, their dedication and service has been an inspiration to everyone and all of us at EF are truly grateful for all they have done.
If you’re trying to keep up with Chuck & Virginia...give up now ...cuz it ain’t gonna’ happen. You just can’t hold this geriatric pair back. If there’s work to be done...you’ll find these two right in the middle of it. It’s been that way for over 12 years, as long as they’ve been volunteers for EquiFriends. Pictured right, Chuck tapes drywall as Virginia supervises. They’ve been on the scene ever since we moved to Les Chevaux and began alterations for offices. And with the completion of one room they’ve begun work on another.
“YA’ GOTTA LOVE THESE TWO”... WE DO!