5 minute read
Sweeps Week at Warrior Horse
Kevin Russell, Founder/Executive Director/President, Warrior Horse
As I write this, we are wrapping up this year’s Sweeps Week at the Warrior Horse headquarters in Frierson, Louisiana. We are simply amazed by the heart, dedication, and support that our chimney sweep volunteers have for the Warrior Horse program.
Warrior Horse is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healing and hope to military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Warrior Horse program uses a personalized and interactive equine-assisted method to assist military veterans who suffer from PTSD to begin their recovery from this debilitating disorder. This program is provided at no financial cost to the veterans.
This year again, our volunteers accomplished an unbelievable amount of projects during Sweeps Week. Although the purpose of the week is completing these tasks, it’s also about camradarie and an opportunity for attendees to restore their own hope and healing by spending time with the horses. During the week, I was able to work one-on-one with several people to build their confidence around horses. I believe there is just something about being around horses that people can sense when they are at Warrior Horse.
When I say that a phenomenal amount of work was completed this week, most people can’t even fathom it! Volunteers installed electrical fixtures, disposed of trash, landscaped the property, cleaned and organized the buildings, chopped and stacked wood, replaced and repaired fencing, repaired generators, tires, axles, shovels, and rakes, trimmed the horses’ hooves, and last but certainly not least, built the “Taj MaHorse,” a 768-square foot outdoor pavilion – and that’s just a fraction of everything we accomplished during Sweeps Week!
If you’ve never attended Sweeps Week at Warrior Horse, we hope you will put it on your schedule for next year – April 28-May 2, 2025. Next year, we’ll put more of a focus on the “gathering” aspect of the week by ending work earlier in the afternoon to make time for game tournaments like horseshoes and cornhole. There is plenty of space for tents, hammocks, and RVs on the property and plenty of Kevin’s pies and desserts to go around. I think everyone probably went home a little heavier than when they arrived!
The chimney industry is certainly the most inspirational and caring industry on the planet. We owe a great deal to each and every one of our volunteers who make it possible for us to do what we do. They are world class, just like the people we serve.
