Nicole at Riding With Angels

Three North Shore Bank employees regularly volunteer to assist in rehabilitating abused and neglected horses through an organization called Riding With Angels. The nonprofit is holding an upcoming open house and fundraiser, and the employees hope other bank staff will be motivated to donate or join them in volunteering for this worthy group.

Dana Scherff, Nicole Daniels, and Jeff Marsho all volunteer to help the horses in need. Volunteers care for the horses, brushing and feeding them and helping to restore their faith in humans.

Dana and Jeff with one of the horses, Derora

“It’s a really cool mission that helps horses in dire situations,” said Dana, VP of Information Systems. “When the horses arrive, they are often near death. We try to rehabilitate them.”

A young rider in the free horsemanship program

Riding With Angels holds free horsemanship programs for kids ages 7 to 18, many from the inner city, to expose them to the wonder of working with horses and the healing power they can provide. Nicole, VP of Loan and Treasury Operations, said she finds the organization’s work inspiring.

The program’s participants often have never been around horses, which can initially be intimidating. Dana said it is incredibly heartwarming to see them move from feeling a little fearful of the large animals to giving them hugs.

“We’re teaching kids about the animals so they understand,” she said. “I always consider it a big win when teenagers come, and they’re a little shut-off, and then you catch them smiling. You see them slowly break down their walls.”

Jeff, Treasury Solutions Operations manager, got involved with the organization about two years ago after attending the open house. “That’s what got me, seeing the before and after shots of the horses,” he said. “It really opened my eyes. I didn’t realize there were that many horses that needed rescuing.”

Jeff regularly volunteers, working to socialize the animals through brushing, feeding, and visiting with them. “I’m all about the animals,” he said. Who saves who? They get something from us, and they give in return. They’re so peaceful and calming.”

In addition to the horses, the farm has donkeys, a zebra, alpacas, rabbits, and other animals.

The Riding With Angels open house and fundraiser will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at W691 CTH-CI, Palmyra, Wis. Kids involved in the horsemanship program will be there to talk about the program’s impact on their lives. The event also will feature pony rides, a silent auction, a petting zoo, live music, food, and more.

Riding With Angels fundraiser flyer