Community saddles up to help victims of domestic violence

Cardiac Cowboy Eldon Wheelis, 82, saddled up his 25-year-old horse Saturday to ride in Haven House’s 31st annual trail ride at Black River Ranch. The event, hosted by Dr. John Blaich and Dr. Rick Blaich, brought in $13,000 for the local shelter.

Both Wheelis and the Blaichs share a long history of support for the shelter, which provides around the clock help, as well as an emergency hotline and advocacy, for survivors of domestic violence as they make tough decisions and struggle to leave abusive relationships behind to make a safer life for themselves and their children.

While the Cardiac Cowboys ride less and less, this event has been special to them for a long time, according to Wheelis.

The cowboys started the trail ride decades ago to help raise funds for the local domestic violence shelter. While Wheelis has slowed down since a 2015 heart attack required a quadruple bypass, he made Saturday’s event a priority. His efforts at the trail ride are supported by two area churches, including where he pastors, Trinity Southern Baptist.

For the Blaichs, there is a family connection. Dr. John Blaich’s mother-in-law, Martha Albers, was one of Haven House’s founders.

The Blaich brothers were on hand to share stories about the property they have restored to prairie grounds, their family and others in the community. They already are making plans for next year’s ride.

Haven House Executive Director Mary Ann Allen said, “The Haven House Trail Ride has proven to be our most successful annual fundraising event.”

Proceeds brought in by the 53 people who registered will go toward the costs of sheltering women and children left homeless due to domestic or sexual violence.

Top fundraisers were Carolyn Cravens, first; Dotson Cravens, second; and Susan Lawson, third. Carolyn Cravens’s prize was a $750 gift certificate to LeGrand Feed. Dotson Cravens earned a $500 Visa gift card; and Lawson received a $500 gift certificate to TNT Western Store.

Once the riders rode the trails, they gathered at the Blaichs’ pavilion to enjoy a lunch of barbecue sandwiches prepared and provided by Haven House board member Jerry Hillis.

Prizes were awarded based on total pre-paid pledges. Major sponsors were Southern Bank and Delta Corporation. Also sponsoring were LeGrand Feed, TNT Western Store, Peoples Community Bank, Crabb & Company, Fishin’ Pigg, Little Hearts Daycare and Haffy’s.

The $750 gift certificate was compliments of LeGrand Feed and Haven House board of directors; $500 Visa gift card compliments of Delta Corporation and a $500 gift certificate to TNT Western Store compliments of TNT Western Store and The Fishin’ Pig.