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First Lady Karen Pence awards grant to Little Oaks Ranch
Indiana First Lady Karen Pence hosted the eighth and final award reception for grant recipients of the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation recently at the Governor’s Residence, where she awarded $38,000 to 40 organizations and charities that serve Hoosier families and children across the state.
Little Oaks Ranch in Putnam County was represented by Ross and Cherri Cauldwell, who were on hand to receive the award.
“When Mike was elected governor, I was overwhelmed with requests from so many worthy organizations to get involved in their efforts. However, it quickly became clear that I couldn’t be at every event, nor could I champion every cause. That is why I, along with a team of dedicated board members, started the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation as a way to shine a light on the organizations across Indiana who lift up our communities and make our state strong,” First Lady Pence said.
“The Little Oaks Ranch is one of those organizations that is doing great work for our Hoosier children and families, and it is an honor to recognize them today,” she added.
The $1,000 grant will go toward a ClearSpan cover making a shelter from heat and rain for the ranch and provide an indoor riding area.
The mission statement of Little Oaks Mission says its vision is a ministry offered at no cost to at-risk youth who can find a spiritually soft place to fall and a reason to hope again. The ministry uses horses and volunteers to work with these youth, giving them a true sense of God’s unconditional love.
Little Oaks Ranch offers youth a tranquil country environment to learn life lessons, gain confidence and strengthen relationships with others. Using activities, lessons, assigned chores and horses, the children develop confidence, responsibility and accountability as they are teamed up with a horse and one-on-one leader.
The Cauldwells also are waiting to hear about other larger grants in hopes of putting up the cover in the spring.
Meanwhile, Hendricks Power is partnering with Parke County REMC on a work project at the ranch, putting a gravel lane across the property to the arena gate in anticipation of the arena cover. They also will put in a large hitching rail and build a mounting platform.
The first lady started the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation in August 2013 as a way to recognize organizations and charities across the state. At the inaugural First Lady’s Luncheon in April 2014, the foundation awarded its first major grant of $100,000 to the Art Therapy Program at Riley Hospital for Children.
Last year’s luncheon recipient was Feeding Indiana’s Hungry with a grant of $65,000, which supports food banks and food pantries in all 92 counties. Last year, the third year, $100,000 was awarded to Indiana Bicentennial Commission for interactive “Treasures of the Statehouse” display at the Indiana State Library.
Throughout the year, the foundation will award smaller grants to organizations across the state. She also awarded the fourth and final major grant of $95,000 to the Art Therapy Program at Riley Hospital for Children.
“Whether helping a child develop a love for reading or supporting families in need or encouraging a child to go further in the arts, these organizations are the backbone and the heart of our communities. They represent the very best of what it means to be a Hoosier, and we thank them for their service,” Pence said.
Pence presented a check to each of the 40 organizations ranging from $500 to $1,000 in grant money from the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation.