Spring is in full swing at the Big Red Barn Retreat, and there are so many ways to get involved this May! With Midlands Gives just around the corner, we’re gearing up for a powerful week of giving and community support. Don’t miss the Heroes Singer-Songwriter Showcase, a heartfelt night of music honoring our nation’s heroes. Looking to make a bigger impact? You can become a Fundraising Ambassador or lend a hand through one of our many volunteer opportunities. However you choose to get involved, we’re grateful to have you as part of the BRBR family!
Exciting Team Updates!
We’re thrilled to introduce John Tjaarda, our new Director of Development, and Rachel “Rae” Snipes, our new Director of Marketing and Communications. We're also excited to welcome Sydney Marcuccilli, who joins us as our new Events Coordinator! And a big congratulations to Jeff Lawson, who has been promoted to Director of Operations. Jeff has played an essential role at BRBR, and we’re excited to see him thrive in this new leadership position.
Please join us in welcoming some incredible new leaders to the Big Red Barn Retreat team. We’re so grateful for the heart, passion, and experience each of them brings to the BRBR family!
Upcoming Fundraising Events
Midlands Gives Day is Almost Here—Early Giving is Open Now!
We’re excited to share that the Big Red Barn Retreat is participating in Midlands Gives this Tuesday, May 6, 2025! This special day of giving helps support local nonprofits like ours and ensures we can continue providing the tools, resources, and community that veterans and first responders need to thrive. The best part? You don’t have to wait until Tuesday to make a difference - early giving is already open!
Why Give Early?
Make an Immediate Impact: Early gifts help build momentum — every contribution makes a difference!
Inspire Others to Give: Your early support can encourage even more generosity across the Midlands.
Multiply Your Gift: With available matching funds, your donation can have an even greater impact!
Join us on June 13 at IceHouse Amphitheater for the Heroes Singer-Songwriter Showcase—an unforgettable country music concert featuring combat veteran Scotty Hasting and three Big Red Barn Retreat Warrior PATHH alumni, supporting veterans and first responders!
Date: June 13, 2025
Location: Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington, SC
Tickets: $20 each
Gates open at 6 PM | Music starts at 7 PM
This special concert is presented by Nucor Building Systems and made possible through the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant, part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Creative Forces® initiative, in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance.
EAP provides hands-on, experiential interaction with our horses to receive immediate feedback and engage in creative problem-solving to overcome life's challenges. Clients say “I gained more from one session than I did from years of traditional therapy.”
EAP assists with dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, relationship struggles and a variety of other issues. Mindfulness, coping skills, and creating a new story are all part of the process.
Don’t miss out - complete our interest form (using the button here) today! EAP services are provided at no cost to veterans and first responders.
Save the date for our next Form Up Friday session on May 30th!
Join us for a chance to connect with horses, find some peace, and discover how they can help with personal growth and well-being. It's a great opportunity to relax, reflect, and learn from these amazing animals!
Make sure to secure your place by reserving your spot today using the button below!
Explore photography as a tool for wellness! Veterans and first responders are invited to join us on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month for workshops and field trips designed to help you develop new skills, unleash your creativity, and see the world from fresh perspectives.
No experience or special equipment required!
Click the button below to fill out our interest form today!
Veterans and first responders, let's gather for a cup of coffee, meaningful connections, and great conversation at our Greenville location at Overture Apartments (52 Market Point Dr.) or join us at the Blythewood Coffee Group at the BRBR Log Cabin (8024 Winnsboro Road). Wherever you are, the Big Red Barn Retreat is here to help you find your community, one cup at a time!
Click the buttons here for directions to both locations!
Our Peer-to-Peer Coffee Groups at the BRBR are proudly sponsored by Caliber Coffee, thank you for your support!
Volunteer Opportunities
Help support BRBR’s equine therapy programs by joining us as a Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser during the Seen Through Horses Campaign!
Spread the word through email, social media, flyers, or simply by sharing BRBR’s posts. No fundraising experience needed — we’ll provide tips, resources, and encouragement to help you succeed as part of the BRBR team.
Interested? Fill out our interest form below to get involved this month!
**No registration needed—just come as you are and dig in with us!
Discover the Joy of Garden Volunteering at BRBR!
Join us every Thursday from 9:30 to 11:00 AM and experience the powerful benefits of gardening and giving back. Time spent in nature can ease stress, lift your mood, and sharpen focus, while volunteering creates a deeper sense of purpose and community.
Special Summer Garden Workshop – Learn to Grow Your Best Harvest!
Summer is the perfect season to grow a bountiful garden, and we’re here to help you make the most of it! Join us for a special workshop on May 18th where you’ll learn what to plant for a thriving summer harvest including warm-weather favorites like peppers, cucumbers, and squash, plus tips on watering, fertilizing, and keeping your garden healthy all season long.
**Be sure to sign up in advance to join us for this special workshop this month!
Be Part of Something Special in the Heart of the BRBR Kitchen!
As a Kitchen Volunteer, you'll team up with our amazing chefs to prepare and serve nourishing meals for veterans and first responders attending their life-changing 7-day Warrior PATHH program at the BRBR Log Cabin.
Your support helps create a warm, welcoming environment for their journey. Click the button below to sign-up for our upcoming classes!
How to Sign Up:
We have introduced a new volunteer management platform, follow the instructions below to get involved as a volunteer this month!
Click the button above.
Create an account.
Select “Warrior PATHH Volunteering.”
Scroll down and choose “Meal Service Volunteering.”
**Please be advised: While we try our best to make sure each volunteer is assigned a time slot, Warrior PATHH Kitchen Volunteering is assigned on a first come, first serve basis. You are not assigned a volunteer time slot until you have received a confirmation email from the Big Red Barn Retreat. Thank you!**
Since Spring 2024, Ron has given back to BRBR in big ways—volunteering in the kitchen during Warrior PATHH, resetting cabins, and lending a helping hand at our fundraising events. As a Warrior PATHH graduate himself, Ron knows the power of this place firsthand.
He volunteers out of deep gratitude—for those who gave their time, talents, and treasures before him so he could have a life-changing experience at the Barn. Now, Ron is paying it forward, helping ensure others receive the same opportunity for growth.
"The NEED is great, but the WILLING are few." - Ron Anderson
Thank you, Ron, for your passion and commitment to our mission!
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