Haven House charity ride will be Saturday

Gather your donations, saddle your horse and get ready to ride in the 32nd annual Benefit Trail Ride for Haven House Saturday at Black River Ranch, Poplar Bluff.

Doctors Rick and John Blaich are hosting the event for the second year, which will be held rain or shine. The Blaichs are extending this year’s ride, which will include self-guided history and nature tours.

Haven House Executive Director Mary Ann Allen said, “Haven House Trail Ride has proven to be our most successful annual fundraising events. We are grateful to all of our sponsors. Lisa Reynolds Insurance Agency, LLC, is the major sponsor.”

Additional sponsors are Glory Days Bar and Grill, Poplar Bluff Realty, Inc., Steak ‘n Shake, Minton Environmental Consultants, LLC, Haffy’s, Fishin’ Pig, Bob Sutton Real Estate & Loans, Ward Trucking and Mary Francis Maddox.

“We would like to thank everyone in advance who supports with donations for Haven House,” Allen said. “We have riders who work really hard to collect money.”

While registration begins at 8 a.m. and the gaited and non-gaited rides will be at 10 a.m., riders don’t have to worry about food. The day will begin with a free continental breakfast followed by lunch with free barbecue sandwiches, chips and sodas.

Gone are the early days of handing riders a cold sandwich. Board member Jerry Hillis of Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff recalls the first ride he attended.

“We pulled out cold sandwiches for the riders and I thought ‘we can do better,’” Hillis said. Each ride since, Hillis has purchased and cooked barbecue to be served to the riders and the volunteers.

Prizes are a $1,500 VISA gift card, compliments of Poplar Bluff Realty, Steak ‘n Shake and the Haven House board of directors; $1,000 VISA gift card compliments of Lisa Reynolds Insurance and a $500 Pit Boss Pellet Grill compliments of Glory Days Bar and Grill.

Prizes will be awarded based on total pre-paid pledges and tax deductions will be available as allowed by law.

Pledge sheets are being mailed to riders who have previously participated, but anyone who wants a flyer may call 573-686-4873. Social distancing will be observed during the event, and lunches will be prepared in accordance with Butler County Health Department guidelines.

Directions to the ranch once in Poplar Bluff are: take North Main Street past Tomaro Oaks Subdivision to Honeysuckle Lane, turn right and follow the signs. Bring your lawn chairs.

The shelter provides around the clock support, as well as emergency hotline service and advocacy for survivors as they make tough decisions and struggle to leave abusive relationships behind and make a safer life for their children.

Allen said, “the funds raised will be used for the general operating expenses of the shelter,” which has 31 beds available for adults and children who are seeking shelter or have been forced from their homes due to violence.

While in the shelter, adult survivors have the opportunity to make a safety plan and set goals for families. They may join a peer support group or participate in individual counseling. Advocates are available to help with community referrals. Shelter, meals and hygiene items are provided to all residents at no cost. Shelter beds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but those in need must call or text ahead to be accepted into the shelter.

Peer support groups are facilitated by trained professionals and many participants find encouragement, strength and support from engaging in daily discussions with those who have experienced the same problems, according to organizers. Specialized support groups are available for those who have been affected by domestic or sexual assault, as well as for those whose victimization has been complicated by substance abuse.

Life skills, including parenting, budgeting and women’s health topics are also offered.

Meetings are at no cost to participants, and anyone who is a survivor of domestic or sexual violence is welcome to attend.

Not everyone who utilizes Haven House is in need of shelter, according to organizers. For those who need outreach resources, advocates are available to meet with them individually and discuss the dynamics of sexual or domestic violence, its effects on the family and the most common experiences of those who have been victimized.

Assistance is available for obtaining household and hygiene items, safety planning and community referrals as survivors find ways to gain control over their lives.

Advocates are available in both the 36th Judicial Circuit civil and criminal courts. Assistance with protection orders, safety planning, notification of rights, accompaniment and applications for Crime Victims Assistance are services offered to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Advocates can also offer empathetic listening, community referrals and information about domestic violence and its effects on the victim and their family. Court advocates will continue providing services to crime victims until their cases are resolved in court.

Batterers’ intervention is a court-mandated program for those who have been convicted of domestic assault or a related crime, or have been ordered to attend by the probation or parole officer and emphasizes zero tolerance for new incidents of abuse. This 26-week program holds batterers accountable, educates them on the effects their actions have on the victim and underscores they must learn and decide to act differently, according to organizers.