Robbinsdale Cooper High School Students Volunteer at Therapeutic Riding Ranch

The south metro’s only therapeutic horseback riding ranch got a major overhaul this week, thanks to an infusion of more than 1,000 hours of volunteer labor from Twin Cities area employees of Honeywell and students from Cooper High School in Robbinsdale.

The multi-generational volunteer event benefited Majestic Hills Ranch, a 105-acre horse farm located in Lakeville, which has helped hundreds of U.S. Military veterans and children with developmental disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding programs.

Volunteers built a ramp to a hydraulic lift to enable those in wheelchairs to safely board a horse. They also assembled a patio to serve as a safe, comfortable seating area for those watching family members participate in therapeutic classes. The 320-foot fence surrounding the riding arena was repaired and painted, and volunteers also stabilized a manure bunker, laid gravel and landscaped.

Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, which provides opportunities to impact communities and the nonprofit places where neighborhood members gather, coordinated the large-scale volunteer project.

“Collectively, the Honeywell and Cooper volunteers are the largest volunteer group we’ve ever had at the site,” said Kris Zieska, director of children’s programs at Majestic Hills Ranch. “Thanks to their efforts, our ranch is now a safer, more beautiful place for the veterans and children we serve, and their work on the wheelchair ramp will enable even more people to experience therapeutic riding.”

The volunteer project is one of many in an ongoing partnership between Honeywell Hometown Solutions and Cooper High School’s Cooper Cares program. Together, the organizations have completed thousands of hours of volunteer work to benefit organizations and individuals around the Twin Cities.

“Our students are committed to contributing to the community, and also appreciate the hands-on learning. In addition to building and landscaping, working side-by-side with professionals drives a lot of good conversations about career paths, especially in science, math and engineering,” said Carrie Giese, Robbinsdale Cooper High School college preparation and service learning coordinator.

“Helping to address needs in the community is important to Honeywell. We are proud to partner with Cooper High School and Rebuilding Together, and our volunteer day was a wonderful opportunity to make improvements to a nonprofit that is improving the lives of military veterans and children,” said Paul Orzeske,president of Honeywell Building Solutions.

“Honeywell is an important national corporate partner of Rebuilding Together. Our work together has resulted in enhanced homes, nonprofits and community facilities in the Twin Cities and throughout the United States,” said Kathy Greiner, executive director of Rebuilding Together Twin Cities and board member for thegroup’s national parent organization, Rebuilding Together Inc.