McALESTER — Pittsburg County 4-H member Elisabeth Willis has made a pledge — and some McAlester heavy hitters are backing her up with pledges of their own.

The 10th-grade student from Canadian holds many responsibilities as a 4-H member, so when Pittsburg County 4-H’ers met to plan their year last year and decided to make the Therapeutic Equestrian Association of McAlester, or TEAM, their fundraising focus, Willis was immediately on board, and began brainstorming ways to raise money for the program’s building fund.

“My sister and I have volunteered for the TEAM, and now so does my dad, so we have seen first-hand what they do, and how much they help,” Willis said of the non-profit program that offers equine assisted therapy to individuals with a wide range of disabilities. “Doctors told my parents that both my sister and I would have special needs. I think that’s why I feel such a connection, and such a desire to help.”

And help she has provided.

The TEAM has been operating out of the Pittsburg County fair barns since its inception in 2007, providing services to an average of 15 to 20 jockeys per session, plus students from McAlester schools in groups of 10 to 20 during the school day at various times during the school year, while providing service learning and volunteer opportunities for McAlester students, Hope House residents and civic and student groups. While the use of the fair barns is generously donated by the Expo Trust Board, TEAM must move out during the fair or junior livestock shows — usually at critical times in TEAM’s schedule.

“The TEAM needs its own facility,” Willis continued. “They are running a building campaign to raise the funds to build an indoor, all-weather facility with 20 stalls and a classroom, within two miles of McAlester. To help fund the center, they are offering stall sponsorships at $5,000 per stall. We wanted to be the first TEAM stall sponsors.”

Willis, several other 4-H’ers and some adult volunteers forged ahead, the mantra “4-H is a TEAM” driving them. The result was the first 4-H Music Festival, held on the outdoor stage at the Expo in September, an event Willis plans to make an annual one.

Willis and 4-H Extension Educator Mike Carter gathered the talent, Willis explained, adding that all the performers were either current 4-H members, alumni or parents of 4-H’ers. The roster included Willis and her sister Rebekah, a sophomore in college who drove home for the benefit.

Many other talented youth performed including Tarah and Tyler Satterfield, Haskell County 4-H, Garrett Butler, McCurtain County 4-H, Dynah Dison, Zoey Carter, 4-H alumnus Josh Timmons and family, Rebecca Glenn Smith, Alyssa Latty, and Laci Stark Johnson. Dwayne Latty, 4-H volunteer and dad performed as well as provided the sound system.

“We did it,” Willis stated with triumph. Just before the concert, Willis and adult volunteer Stephanie Wilson approached what they hoped would be potential supporters of Willis’ fundraising project. They were not disappointed.

“Orlean Smith, of Canadian Valley Telephone, pledged to match what we made at the benefit,” Willis said. That pledge of support provided the momentum she needed to gather more. Greg Brown of The Bank N.A. offered to help, and McAlester resident Gary Fugitt finished what Smith started, donating the lion’s share of the proceeds.

“I saw it as a way to help two very worthy organizations at the same time,” Fugitt explained of his pledge. “These 4-H kids are determined to help the TEAM, and the TEAM provides a valuable service that I would like to see the community support. I’m hoping that my support will encourage others to pledge theirs.”

To date, between the funds raised at the benefit and those raised at supporting events such as Frink-Chambers’ annual charity fundraiser and the Tractor Supply clover drive, Pittsburg County 4-H has already taken to heart the words of their organizational pledge of greater service to their club and community — to the tune of $8,000.

The group could now rest on its laurels — content in the knowledge that Pittsburg County 4-H is the first official stall sponsor in the proposed TEAM therapeutic riding center. Instead, Willis said, they continue to work towards another $2,000, which would make them the official sponsor of the classroom planned for the facility, which is a $10,000 sponsorship.

“We are already making plans for next year’s festival,” Willis said, quoting the 4-H motto, “To make the best better.”

For more information on how to support Pittsburg County 4-H, contact OSU Extension at 918-423-4120.

For more information on how to support the TEAM, call 918-636-4884.