Leadership Greater Enid Class 30 is more than halfway to fundraiser goal for new covered arena for Bennie’s Barn; fundraiser golf tournament set for April 23 (Story by Ali Kirtley)
For the past few months, Leadership Greater Enid (LGE) Class 30 also known as “Class XXX”, have come together and chose a large undertaking for their class project. On their first day as a touring class, they visited other local non-profits in Enid, Oklahoma to learn more about their mission, needs, and how each non-profit makes a difference in the Enid community.
“When we visited Bennie’s Barn we instantly fell in love with their story,” Steve Byrum, LGE Class 30 member and Owner/Operator of Byrum Electric. “We actually had the opportunity to watch a little girl with Cerebral Palsy get on top of a 1,200 lbs. horse and control the giant animal with ease. There were very few dry eyes in the group.”
After that day, the 15 LGE Class 30 members decided to help local non-profit, “Bennie’s Barn Horse Therapy Ranch” as their class project since their story had a significant impact on them. Bennie’s Barn has been in the process for years defining how to better serve their clients through the fluctuating Oklahoma climate.
LGE Class 30’s vision to help boost the impact of Bennie’s Barn in Northwest Oklahoma by facilitating a critical expansion to house their diverse and growing support services for children with disabilities and veterans within their ever-expanding service area.
The $30,000 of funds from the project collected will go towards the “building kit” Bennie’s Barn will use for their project. The building kit will create a New Covered Arena that will provide a climate-controlled, 8,000 sq. ft. facility to boost the rehabilitation of emotional and spiritual needs of mentally and physically disabled children and veterans, allowing them to participate in their life-changing therapy year-round, regardless of weather conditions.
From there, LGE Class 30’s plan is to raise funds mainly through the annual golf tournament benefit. To date, the class has secured most of the necessary sponsorships and teams for the fundraiser which means they are more than halfway to their goal. This year the tournament will be at Pheasant Run Golf Course on Friday, April 23. Team spaces are already full, but the class is still accepting sponsorships and there is also an option for those to come attend the silent auction that day.
As LGE Class 30 is only weeks away from the tournament and their graduation, it’s obvious the group has enjoyed their time together.
“’XXX’ is the hands-down the greatest class ever,” Byrum said. (Editor’s Note: Class XV would have something to say about that!) “They’ll tell stories of our tales for years to come… In all seriousness, it’s been an absolute honor and privilege to get to know my classmates. We have a very diversified group of leaders with all types of professional backgrounds. It’s been humbling to get to know each and every one of these talented individuals. I can honestly say I believe this group will remain close for years to come and continue to be a part of this community we all call home.
Class XXX includes: Steve Byrum, Owner of Byrum Electric LLC; Jennifer Fields, Family Resource Coordinator for Enid Public Schools; Hannah Fryer, Owner of Brambling & Co. Consulting; Jesus Gaspar, Tax Associate, BKD; Claye Hammock, Accountant at Collins, Butler & Co, P.C.; Lydia Kelley, Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma; Ali Kirtley, Marketing Director of PT; Dawn McCarty, Planning Center Supervisor for Groendyke Transport; Trent Misak, Marketing and Business Development Manager for ERDA; Jamie Moore, Community Relations Coordinator for the Northwest District of Oklahoma for OG&E; Kathryn Oard, Pharmacist at Scheffe Prescription Shop; Dusty Seiger, Co-owner/Agent of Great Plains Insurance; Rachel Snider, Interim Director of Student Services at Autry Technology Center; Jason Twyman, Estimator / Construction Manager at Dense Mechanical; Lincoln White, Area Sales Leader at The Buckle.
For more information on Class 30’s group project, how to help or to learn more about LGE please visit: www.leadershipgreaterenid.com.
