By Andria Barrios
Angela Spillis is passionate about making a home for children in need. She also has a love for horses. So in 2011, she started Rugged Cross Youth Ranch and Rescue Inc, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves neglected children and horses.
Boots and Bling 2015 is the fourth annual dinner and fundraiser for Rugged Cross Ranch. A silent auction will be provided as well as entertainment, along with dinner and fellowship. Tickets are $60 and sponsorship packets start at $750. “Last year’s went awesome and we are very excited to see what this year brings.” Spillis expects to fill every seat.
“Rugged Cross is about changing the lives of foster kids, orphans, military families as well as abandoned or neglected horses,” Spillis explains. “We can feed them physically and spiritually, clothe and love them until they find a permanent home.”
Currently operating at Creighton Farms in Lithia, Rugged Cross Ranch ministers to hurting children of all ages and backgrounds. Foster homes from around the county regularly bring children to spend the day. “There is rarely a day when we don’t have kids visiting. We use the animals to open pathways for relationship building. The kids are more willing to trust the animals and then eventually learn to trust us.”
Spillis’s goal is to purchase a 23 acre property to serve as a living facility for these neglected orphans and horses. By raising $250,000, Rugged Cross Ranch hopes to obtain a living place for 48 foster children and caregivers, administrative facilities as well as a barn. She hopes to begin construction for this facility in 2016. “We want these neglected to have a place to call home and a family to build a life with.”
This organization is actively searching for sponsors and donations. Services, themed baskets, sporting event tickets and other donations are accepted to be used as raffle and auction items at this year’s fundraiser. Rugged Cross Youth Ranch is also in need of volunteers to help with children and horses.
Creighton Farms is located at 11012 Mizelle Creek Trail. To sponsor or donate, call 679-8386, email ruggedcrossyouthranch@gmail.com, or visit www.ruggedcrossranch.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Rugged-Cross-Youth-Ranch-Rescue/372459916099072?fref=ts.
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