Inside this issue

New Spring Services .............. 2

The Director is In .................... 2

Take a Bow ............................. 2

Spring Break 2012 ................... 3

Animal Program Director ....... 3

Petting Barn ............................ 3

Recognizing &Thanking You .. 4

The meaning of Spring:

More than just a season The Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom. The white flowers fly off the tree and my daughters twirl and pretend to be "dancing in the snow." The Oklahoma wild flowers are beginning to crack with color and the doe and her fawn begin to peek their head from a long winter of sleep. Little voices, little feet and bicycle tire tracks wind and curve down the gravel streets, and there's not a scratch or scrape that wouldn't benefit from an extra special band aid.

Growth is apparent in all aspects of nature. From the once frozen earth to the rapidly thawing frozen pond. Nature is no longer still. It has the power to move, the power to grow, and the power to impact the world around it. When I think of Spring, I think of new life. When I think of “new life" I think of a child at Peppers Ranch. When children come to Peppers Ranch, they are like the frozen winter earth with little to no sign of growth. The outward appearance can be dull, withered, and even broken. But we know that there is life under the outward appear-ance of their heavy winter baggage. It is known that with tender care, love, affection, and investment of time, this precious life will thrive and grow once again.

Old withered leaves which symbolize the abuse and fear from their past will soon fall to the ground, and they will soon begin to use their haunting past as a form of growth. The abuse, fear, and tears fade as it combines with other aspects of their life and is used as a compost for future growth. As a part of this cycle we look to you, our donors. You are the gardeners of our community and without you, our garden would be bare. Every dollar, every in kind donation, every minute of volunteer work is a vital part of the survival of our community and the growth of our mission.

As the seasons cycle we know we will come once again to the harsh winter months. This time around, it’s different. It seems so much easi-er to handle the bitter cold seasons of life when we have so much time and attention invested from our previous seasons. It comes full circle and our awareness of our strengths and weaknesses are combined to keep us thriving and ready for whatever mother nature sends our way. So, with that said, thank you for your investment and gifts for long –term, bountiful growth.

SPRING 2012 A PEPPERS RANCH, INC. PUBLICATION

READING REWARDS

WINNERS!

IPOD Touch Winner

3013 Minutes

Sarah Meacham

IPOD Shuffle Winner

2078 Minutes

Caitlin Barlow

Peppers Ranch Children Please Take A Bow...

Addison Meacham

Addison applied and was accepted as a participant

in the Miss Teen Oklahoma Pageant.

Congratulations Addison!

Congratulations Sara!

This is Sara’s 3rd Gold medal in the Oklahoma

Special Olympics

Student of The Month!

Addison Meacham

Sarah Meacham

Spring Services 2012

Aikido Martial Arts– This new service kicks into action in April

combining self-defense principals with integrity, self-discipline,

and emotional intelligence. This activity will teach self-control

and help our children with personal accountability.

Equestrian Riding– Our kids can’t wait to saddle up and take the

reigns as horseback riding gets underway at Peppers Ranch.

Peppers Unplugged– Music is more than airways and changing

the channel on the car radio. Its culture! Peppers Unplugged comes to our ranch every

3rd Sunday starting in April and brings with it everything from a barber shop quartet, a

harp, an oboe to a good old fashion blue grass band. The only outlet needed for these

musicians is an audience. We are so happy to hear all they have to share.

Voice and Piano Lessons- Look out America’s Got Talent, because the real talent is at

Peppers Ranch. With the help of Dr. Marilyn Rosfeld and her inspiring friends and col-

leagues, we will be the next “American Idol.” Fifteen boys and girls signed up for the new

music program at Peppers Ranch which will make sure everyone is in tune with their mu-

sical talent.

The Director is In

Peppers Ranch announces the addition of Tina Lewis, Executive Direc-

tor of Peppers Ranch. Tina couples her experience in early childhood

intervention services as a Physical Therapist with Oklahoma Soon-

erStart with her non-profit work with the Sarkeys Foundation to build

upon the dream of a safe and loving environment for children of child

abuse and neglect, which is Peppers Ranch. Tina’s skills and determination are the foun-

dation for continued success in the ever-growing need to change lives of the children in

the communities we serve.

The Little Peppers Play Place

The Little Peppers Play Place will have its grand opening on April 6th, 2012 and will be

ready for children 6 years old and under. The Little Peppers Play Place is an educational

delight and sensory center for our little tikes who might find running with the bigger kids a

little intimidating. This wonderland is equipped

with a padded play area, sensory land, pretend

play drama area and a nap station. Little Pep-

pers Play Place was generously donated by Rob

and Patti Lewis in honor of their children,

Adam and Raylee.

May is National Foster Care Month! Become a Volunteer or Mentor at

Peppers Ranch

Find out more at www.peppersranch.com

Spring Break 2012 with University of North Texas

Thanks to our new friends for an awesome Spring Break!

Mr. Rocky Bowdish, Animal Program Director for Peppers Ranch

Mr. Rocky Bowdish joins Peppers Ranch as

our new Animal Program Director. Rocky will

be a gift to our community with his extensive

knowledge in equestrian riding, animal care,

and his passion to educate the children of

Peppers Ranch.

Breaking the Cycle of Child abuse and neglect

With your generous support, you have made it possible for Pep-

pers Ranch to become home to 48 of Oklahoma’s abused and

neglected children. Our programs and services are advancing to

meet the needs of our children. The need is overwhelming to

help additional children escape the abuse and neglect, who

through no fault of their own, have been victimized by the very

people that were supposed to love and protect them. As donors

of Peppers Ranch, you know, understand and believe in helping

Oklahoma children. 2012-2013 will bring three new homes to

Peppers Ranch. Help us kick off our $1,000,000 Capital Campaign

by supporting our efforts to give additional children a place to call

“home”. We need your help; Oklahoma’s children need your help.

Peppers Ranch Petting Barn brings hands-on

experiences

Our Watts Ag Center provides new hands

-on experiences at Peppers Ranch. These

new furry and feathery friends have re-

ceived quite a bit of attention this past

month. The barn includes rabbits, ducks and chickens.

The children can feed and feel these new friends with

the supervision of their parents. This program plans on

growing in numbers with different kinds of animals the

children can “share-care” in daily activities and responsi-

bilities.

www.PeppersRanch.com

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Making the Grade Current GPA at Peppers Ranch is 3.5 (A/B Average) 4 children are on the Superintendents Honor Roll (Straight A Students) 5 children are on the Principals Honor Roll (A/B Average)

Recognizing and Thanking You Its more than a holiday, a Birthday or a special occasion. It’s the time when a Childs world is falling apart, and

there is a family which they can turn to. When they have no clothes, no food, no shelter and no love your gift is

what keeps them believing. Its because of your generosity that these children have Peppers Ranch. For all you

have done and all that you will do for our community, Thank you. You are the glimmer of hope that gives these

children the gift of a better tomorrow and the promise of successful future.

Peppers Ranch’s books, records and audited financial statements are available for review by calling 405-348-8333

P.O. Box 3814

Edmond, OK 73083

405-348-8333

www.peppersranch.com