PHOTO BY CINDA KLICKNA
The house owners of the historic Bunn household farm in Springfield have donated the property to Refuge Ranch, a nonprofit that makes use of horses as remedy for kids who’ve skilled trauma.
Introducing horse care and driving to traumatized kids has been confirmed to be efficient remedy. The Refuge Ranch in Rochester makes use of that technique and can now be capable to develop its work as a result of a beneficiant donation from Glennon and Jan Paul of a seven-acre historic farm in Springfield.
Refuge Ranch, began by Stephan and Chris Daniels in 2008 as a small farm in Pawnee with a handful of volunteers, two horses and some kids has now turn out to be a 17-acre campus close to Lake Sangchris serving greater than 70 households. Right here, these going through trauma – whether or not psychological, bodily, or emotional – can discover hope and therapeutic by means of the Christian religion and interplay with horses.
Chris Daniels, government director of Refuge Ranch, stated, “We really feel it is very important goal essentially the most weak and underserved individuals.”
The Ranch is free to kids and fogeys and affords mentoring, horseback driving within the Freedom Reins particular wants program, in addition to actions equivalent to fishing, petting goats and gathering eggs from the rooster coop.
Ceci Maloney, a retired District 186 particular schooling trainer, has been round horses her whole life and volunteers on the Ranch. “It’s enjoyable to look at children develop, study to belief and construct relationships with the volunteers in addition to the animals. It is a fantastic program,” she stated.
The Ranch additionally companions with group organizations equivalent to Large Brothers Large Sisters of Central Illinois, Compass for Children and others.
Increasing this system into the center of Springfield will now be attainable with the addition of the historic Bunn Farm. The property has a number of fenced acres of pasture, a barn with 20 horse stalls, a driving area and an condo.
“We’re significantly overwhelmed with gratitude. It is truthfully past something we might have requested or imagined,” Daniels stated. “This historic farm won’t solely protect a bit of Springfield’s heritage however in the end turn out to be a sanctuary for hope, therapeutic and transformation.”
The Farm, situated on Outdated Beardstown Highway, off Jefferson Road and Churchill Highway, was known as Fairview Farm when it was owned by Esto and Jacob Bunn III. The precise date when the barn was constructed is unknown, however photos of it first appeared within the State Journal-Register within the mid-Fifties. The stables have been recognized for his or her champion Saddlebred horses and Hackney ponies. On the August 1960 Illinois State Honest, the Bunn horses gained three first-place awards.
The historical past of the Bunn household in Springfield started with Jacob Bunn Sr. (1814-1897) who owned a grocery retailer and have become a banker; he served as president of the Springfield Watch Firm. His son, Jacob Jr. (1864-1926) additionally served as president of the Watch Firm and helped discovered Sangamo Electrical (his great-grandson, George, based Bunn-o-matic in 1957). Jacob Bunn III (1914-1977), who owned the Fairview Farm, additionally served on the Bunn-o-matic board. He married Esto in 1952. They later divorced; he then operated a horse farm in Sherman whereas Esto continued to function the farm and stables. She died in 2013 on the age of 92.
The property modified fingers a number of occasions till Glennon and Jan Paul bought it in 2019. On March 19, they donated the property to Refuge Ranch in reminiscence of their daughter, Ginger, a particular wants trainer in District 186 who died of leukemia in 2024.
“Our timeline is unknown as there’s work to be executed on the web site, however we’re excited to have the chance so as to add extra horses and develop our applications into Springfield,” Daniels stated.
Be taught extra about Refuge Ranch
Refuge Ranch is holding an occasion to rejoice the group’s achievements and share the imaginative and prescient for enlargement. The free occasion will supply dwell music, meals stations, picture ops with horses and different animals and excursions of the ability. There will probably be raffles, giveaways and line dancing.
Develop Refuge: A Night time to Dream Large
Saturday, Might 3, 5-8 p.m.
9350 Cascade Highway, Rochester
Free, however reservations required
https://expandrefuge.eventbritecom
For extra details about the Ranch, the way to donate or to become involved, go to refuge-ranch.org or contact Chris Daniels at [email protected].
