Christi Bruce volunteers for the Red River Riders, a nonprofit organization that has classes for special needs kids and adults.
She was born in Plymouth and graduated from Plymouth High School. Bruce was a stay-at-home mom for three sons before working at M&I for 12 years and then at an assisted living facility in New London for two years. She and her husband, Tom, who is materials manager for ThedaCare, have been married 42 years and have four grandchildren. They live in Clintonville. Christi likes to do yard work.
Tom also helps with the Red River Riders when he can.
The couple also spends time at their cabin in the mountains in Arizona and has visited Alaska, where Christi’s sister lives.
Q How long have you been volunteering at Red River Riders?
A “I am almost to the end of six full years. I help at the Wednesday classes at 5 and 6:15. Tom can help sometimes.”
Q How did you get started?
A “A long time ago after we moved to Clintonville, I saw an ad in the paper that they were looking for volunteers. Then a friend talked to us about volunteering.”
Q What do you do?
A “A lot of times if we have enough volunteers I take pictures and Chris (Baldwin) puts them in the newsletter. They are also put in albums for the riders and they can take them home. Sometimes I lead the horse or am a side walker. I love horses. I had two when I was a kid. There are different special functions when the riders can play games and I help with those. I love to be around horses. If she needs help I try to get there.”
Q Why would you encourage others to help?
A “It is the most rewarding thing you can do to help disabled riders. This summer, we were short-handed. If we don’t have enough volunteers, they might not be able to ride. It gives the riders something to look forward to. The degree of disability really varies. Some can ride alone.”
Q Why do you help?
A “It’s doing something for somebody else. They enjoy it and have big smiles on their faces.”
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