POKER RIDE & campout fundrasier

 Thanks to our 2025 sponsors, auction donors and participants, below is a list of this year's recipients from revenue raised at the 2025 Poker Ride & Campout Fundraiser..  

Center for Animal Protection & Education (CAPE)  $1500

https://www.capeanimals.org/ 

Member Requested: Kathy St. John

Fund will be used to help support the veterinary care of horses and burros at CAPE’s Grass Valley Animal Sanctuary. This care includes routine and/or emergency vet visits, medicines and medical supplies.   

Friends of Bear Creek Stables  $2000

https://friendsofbearcreekstables.org/

Member Requested: Kathy Madlem

Funds will be used to expand vital services for infrastructure improvements and offer transformative programs that will provide access to nature-based learning for everyone — regardless of age, ability, or background, including:

· Youth Science Initiatives

· Senior Field Trips

· Outdoor Classes for Bay Area Schools

· Creative Spaces for Writers, Artists, and Photographers

· Equine Therapy for Veterans and Cancer Survivors

Healing Heroes with Horsemanship  $1000

https://heroeshorses.org/ 

Member Requested: Shirley Rasmussen

Funds will be used to support the Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship program which helps veterans, first responders and at-risk groups through vocational horsemanship training, equine-assisted programs, peer-to-peer support and vocational rehabilitation initiatives. 

Horseplay YOUTH, Inc.  $2000

https://horseplayyouth.org/

Member Requested: Darlene Azevedo

Funds will be used to get 2 more schools introduced to the Extended Learning Program for children to learn critical thinking, teambuilding and social skills through transformative experience with horses, nature and environmental education.  

Jack Brooks Horse Camp  $1000

https://www.smcgov.org/parks/facility/jack-brook-horse-camp-area-1

Member Requested: Antonina Cardinalli

Funds will be used to provide handicap accessibility in the bathrooms and showers. 

Land trust of Santa Cruz County $2000

https://landtrustsantacruz.org/

Member Requested: Kathy Madlem

Funds will be used to support the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County on their unique partnership collaboration with Peninsula Open Space Trust, Sempervirens Fund, and Save the Redwoods League with plans and development to expand the existing 7.5 miles of trails to 38 more miles of developed trails in the San Vicente Redwoods. It will also help maintain the equestrian relationship with these organizations on future trail development, planning and acquisition.

Sea Star Horse Sanctuary  $2400

https://seastarhorsesanctuary.org/

Member Requested: Christine Derr

Funds requested will be used for supplements, farrier care and to help with monthly feed costs and essential needs of the horses at the Sanctuary. Care is provided by a team of dedicated volunteers.  The rescue also shares the healing power of time with horses with local youth, veteran's and the general community.

Stardust Sanctuary  $2500

https://www.stardustsanctuaryca.org/

Member Requested: Valerie Sterling

Funds will be used to help Stardust Sanctuary purchase a larger, safer trailer in order to provide a mobile service to bring their equine ambassadors (horses) to collaborate with schools, youth groups, disability and mental health programs, community events and other nonprofits. 

Sunrise Horse Rescue Sanctuary  $2500

https://sunrisehorserescue.org/

Member Requested: Elizabeth Moffitt

Funds will be used to support their continued efforts to provide each horse with the individualized care it needs. Every horse entering the program receives veterinary care, farrier support, proper nutrition, training, and rehabilitation. Horses who are stable enough are placed in loving foster homes, while those with long-term needs remain in the sanctuary.