Youth Volunteer Corps members end camp with fundraiser

Holy Spirit Farm and Horse Sanctuary in Wernersville recently had a few more residents of the two-legged variety.

At the start, the sanctuary hosted Youth Volunteer Corps members from Penn State Berks’ Summer YouthCan Animal Program. The camp was a way for the members to take part in community service activities and be involved in some- thing new.

On the last day of the camp, Wednesday, mem- bers along with sanctuary staff invited the public to the “Day at the Farm” fundraising event.

“We felt it would be quite the experience for them to lead it because they’ve never done anything like this before,” said Rebecca Wright, trainer at the sanctuary. “In the days leading up to it they did a lot of practicing. It was a lot of fun.”

Wright described the fundraiser as a low-key event. The morning featured pony rides, a grooming station with the mini horses, a treat station, and a chance to interact with the other animals at the sanctuary including pigs and a steer.

“People seemed to have a really nice time,” Wright said. “Their favorite part, I learned, was the treat part. They could just give treats to the horses, and people absolutely loved it.”

The event was a way for the members to show off their leadership skills and what they learned during the week, but also a way for the sanctuary to show people the work that is done there. All different breeds of horses fill the barn from wild mustangs to thoroughbreds.

Along with the rehabilitated rescues at the sanctuary, Wright said they also like people to see the horses in the process of being rehabilitated so they understand what the sanctuary normally deals with and that the animals can be saved.

“Personally, we just love interacting with people,” Wright said.

The sanctuary often works with groups such as church groups and Girl Scouts for programs and events. Prior to Wednesday’s event, Wright was a little worried on how the turnout would be due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with the restrictions and concerns, the event went very well.

“The YouthCan students absolutely loved it,” Wright said. “We had a blast.”

The program members had such a good experience that many already volunteered to come back to the sanctuary this week. Wright said the members really took to what they learned during the week.

PHOTOS BY BEN HASTY — MEDIANEWS GROUP Youth Corps Volunteer Olivia Caraballo, 12, feeds Pearl a rescue mustang, a mint at the Holy Spirit Farm and Horse Sanctuary for their Day at the Farm event with young women from the Youth Volunteer Corps last week.

Leah Kline, 2, and her mother Jamie, of Wernersville brush miniature horses Lilo and Mouser. At the Holy Spirit Farm and Horse Sanctuary for their Day at the Farm event with young women from the Youth Volunteer Corps.