Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month, Ava!✨ Ava is truly one of a kind. Her compassion, patience, and genuine enthusiasm make an impact on everyone she meets. Whether she’s helping a distracted rider stay focused or cheering on a client’s smallest victories, Ava always knows how to make each lesson a success.
She brings that same enthusiasm and thoughtfulness to our community beyond the barn, even joining this year’s Spirit of Giving Gala committee to help make our biggest event of the year a success. Ava lifts up everyone around her—riders, volunteers, and staff alike—and we’re so grateful for the warmth and care she brings to Ironstone each week. Our programs wouldn’t be the same without her!
GET TO KNOW AVA
Years of service / Total volunteer hours
1 year, 1 month / 108 hours
How did you discover Ironstone Farm?
After many years of participating in summer camp at Ironstone, I fell in love with the culture and community here, and since being back in Boston, volunteering became the perfect opportunity to find my way back to a place that feels like home.
What is your fondest memory you have from volunteering?
Every week brings a new memory at the farm, but one that has stood out to me was giving Freddie [the pony] a soapy bath on a beautiful summer day and seeing my riders’ eyes light up at how clean and shiny they had gotten him! Any day a kid is smiling, I am smiling.
What does Ironstone Farm mean to you?
For me, Challenge Unlimited is like a thriving garden where clients, therapists, and volunteers receive the ‘seeds’, ‘soil’, ‘water’, and ‘sunlight’ needed for organic growth, healing, and a deeper connection to life, and what better way to experience this than in the company of these gentle giants. The empowering horse-human connection fosters a nurturing environment where challenges become opportunities.
Thank you, Ava, for exemplifying our mission and values in all you do!