Winter may slow down some of the RTI activities but when we do get together, we make our presence known. The deluge predicted on Dec 14th held off, so two donkeys, enthusiastic volunteers, and residents of Visions for Creative Housing in Enfield participated in the 34th Annual Wassail Parade in So. Woodstock, VT. An unusually foggy day didn’t dampen any spirits and our “Happy Holibrays” entry won the Judges Award!
The winter weather cooperated, and the festively attired donkey crew attended the Full Circle Farm Therapeutic Riding Program Christmas Party and provided cart rides to all the attendees including Santa. RTI participants were donkey leaders and side-walkers and were able to tell folks about the donkeys.
While the snow days and cold temperatures have reduced the days at the farm, everyone seems to rally for parades. On a COLD February 15th morning, hardy volunteers, participants and donkeys participated in the Newport Winter Carnival parade where our Cupids, bride and groom donkeys, and festive costumes earned us 2nd place!! When not parading our a**es around, we welcomed Proctor students at both the bakery and farm as part of their Martin Luther King Day of Service program.
Aurora Bakery continues to see an increase in participant requests from both area school programs and individuals within the community. Word is spreading about the wonderful community environment that is developing within the bakery.
The bakery entered the winter season with strong Thanksgivings orders. The increase in orders continued throughout the holiday season and into Valentine’s Day.
We currently have 24 different individuals from Pathways, the community and three area schools participating in programs at the bakery. During the 35 hours that the bakery is opened weekly, between 14 and 16 individuals come for 1 to 2-hour sessions. Some come individually and some come at overlapping times so that there may be as many as 3 participants/volunteers working together. We choose to meet each individual participant and volunteer at their level. (Note: we use the term “participant” for those who require close supervision to accomplish tasks; “volunteers” are those who can work independently, whether or not they have been participants.)
Please join us for our 4th Annual Fundraiser on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH. The evening will include a buffet dinner, a silent auction and a night of dancing with music by Nick’s Other Band! Tickets are available on Eventbrite at http://rti-aurorafundraiser.eventbrite.com/ and also at Aurora Bakery 29 Main St. Newport, NH. Purchase your tickets by March 20, 2020!
This event is made possible with the support of our volunteers and local community members and businesses. We are grateful for the support of our growing list business and individual sponsors and supporters. If you would like information on how to support us, please email us at rtivtp@hotmail.com.
Our Sponsors include Bar Harbor Bank, Deb Coffin, ERC Associates, Goodrich Oil Company, Gutgsell & Phipps, DDS, InTrack Investment Management, Inc., LaValley Building Supply, the Miles Family, MJ Harrington Jewelers, Pleasant Lake Veterinary Hospital, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and Woodlawn Care Center.
Our Supporters include Carroll Concrete, CSB Insurance Company, Laura Hallahan, Realtor, and Woodcrest Village.
Our list of Silent Auction items continues to grow and includes:
A Furnished Doll House (pictured)
A $200 Car Detailing from Newport Chevrolet
A NH State Inspection from Sullivan Automotive
Dinner for 8 cooked in your home – Mexican or Italian
A Wine Basket
A Massage
Turkish Cooking Demonstration for 4
Portrait Shoot with Gary Summerton Photography
Art Work from Local Artists
and we continue to add items!
Volunteer Opportunities to Make a Difference in Your Community
As with all nonprofit organizations, volunteers are essential. RTI’s farm and Aurora Bakery programs both have a wide variety of opportunities to lend a hand. Please contact us if you have time to volunteer at either the bakery, the farm, on the Board of Directors, grant writing or to discuss other skills or time donations.
Participant Highlights
Robert has been a regular participant at the Bakery for two years where he has made tremendous progress in his ability to initiate tasks, follow recipes and produce high quality baked goods. We now employ him a few hours each week to roll out and cut dog bones for another small area business that sells them wholesale throughout the area.
Current News
We are also happy to report that we have received a grant from St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s Outreach Ministry program. This is the second award of a three-year grant in the amount of $1000.00 to continue supporting our educational programs. It is through grants and donations such as this that our programs offering empowering opportunities are able to reach a growing number of individuals with differing abilities. We are truly grateful that organizations such as St. Thomas Episcopal Church recognize and support, in their words, our “life changing work”. St. Thomas Episcopal Church is located 9 West Wheelock St, Hanover, NH.
We are also happy to report that we have received a grant from St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s Outreach Ministry program. This is the second award of a three-year grant in the amount of $1000.00 to continue supporting our educational programs. It is through grants and donations such as this that our programs offering empowering opportunities are able to reach a growing number of individuals with differing abilities. We are truly grateful that organizations such as St. Thomas Episcopal Church recognize and support, in their words, our “life changing work”. St. Thomas Episcopal Church is located 9 West Wheelock St, Hanover, NH.
RTI participants are working together to paint the chair pictured. They will donate it to our annual fundraising silent auction. We can’t wait to see their finished project!
