Today we’d like to introduce you to Melody Wilcox-Pratt.
Melody, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Exodus Ranch is 501(c)3 whose mission is to help the most vulnerable in our community. We love on those who are hurting, those who are lacking, those who have messy pasts and those who need to find some peace.
In my lifetime, I have had the opportunity to wear different hats. I’ve had many job adventures that helped shape me, mold me and prepare for this adventure! I had the opportunity to be a freelance reporter, local television host, animal trainer, flight attendant, the director of a community theater and public relations director. All of these experiences taught me so much about people, about myself and also taught me wisdom and discernment when dealing with situations that arise. I’ve learned to look outside myself and see the problems around me. There are so many in need and we wish we could help them all. Unfortunately, that is not possible. Through friendships, church connections and the access we have to a great facility with amazing animals, we have been able to zero in on a few areas. It is through this mission that we try to do what we are called to do; to love others as Jesus loves us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No dream or goal is without challenge. It is the ability to face those challenges and disappointments while learning and growing that will eventually help you achieve your goals. We have had many challenges and setbacks but just kept chugging along! Finances were the biggest (and always are) challenge. It takes money and the involvement of the community to start up and keep up a not for profit. As all of our “outreach” ventures are free of charge for those involved, we have had to find ways to support the various programs. Oftentimes, we don’t know where the next dollar is coming from as we prepare for an outreach, but somehow it always appears. God is good!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Exodus Ranch’s mission is to love on all who enter our gates but specifically to love on the most vulnerable in our community. Foster children and special needs individuals are offered free experiences. We have big parties for them that include all types of activities! Pony/Horse rides, mechanical bull, scavenger hunts, bounce house, arts and crafts, games, large water slide (depending on the temperature), face painting, paint a pony and more are offered during these fun days! The ranch also welcomes foster group homes, special needs group homes, women in crisis and wounded warriors to come visit the horses, have lunch and do some other ranch activities.
During the holidays, the Ranch helps facilitate Thanksgiving dinner for about 300 people and at Christmas, the horses, their helper elves and Santa visit an in need neighborhood, delivering toys, coats and warm clothes to about 150 children. These activities are always offered at no charge for these groups.
The Ranch also helps facilitate hippotherapy for special needs children who have problems with mobility.
How do we afford to offer the free programs? As stated earlier, we are a not for profit. We rely on the community for monetary donations, items and volunteering. We also offer events that are open to the community to help finance the free activities. We have an Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Festival, Kids Cowboy Camps, Ladies Ranch Weekend, Trick or Treat on the Ranch and Christmas on the Ranch to bring the community in and make them aware of our other programs! These events are always full of fun, vendors and offer many activities for those participating!
We realize that there are many good people out there who are reaching out and helping in their communities. We are proud to be a part of those who strive to make our community a better place. We are so very blessed by those who surround us and unselfishly give of their time to help out with all of these events! We are firm believers that we are called to help those in need. We try to do that in our own backyard. There is so much need in every community. Although we cannot possibly help everyone, we do our best to serve those we can.
We also have the privilege of having a youth rodeo program. This program was started for a bunch of “city kids” that wanted to learn to rodeo. These kids learn teamwork, work ethic, riding and roping skills and some have gone on to pro rodeo. To be on the team, they have to follow rules, keep their grades up and work for it. We are proud of these kids and the effort they put in! We have watched them grow and improve and have seen their self-confidence increase! It truly is a fun ride (pun intend) to watch their achievements. They rodeo with Southern Association Youth Rodeo (S.AY. Rodeo) in Franklin, GA (say-rodeo.com).
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What do I like?
Our city has some really great people with big hearts. I’ve seen every race, religion and income group come together to help serve others. There is so much negativity swirling around these days but what I’ve seen are just people who want to help others. We don’t see race or religion. We see people loving people. I believe there is a lot more of that than there is of the hate and separation that the media is pushing. I believe that communities are being separated by misinformation more than anything else. I love meeting those who just want to love on those around them and there are many of those folks out there!
What do I dislike?
Our community has so many good features but unfortunately, all of our natural places are being eaten up by the wrong kind of growth. It saddens me that we are putting in warehouse after warehouse, and turning everywhere into big city. If we are truly fighting for nature and fighting against global warming, as we see on so many media outlets, our local governments are not proving that. They are bringing the wrong kind of grown into many rural areas and leaving few places for families, children and those who need the peace and quiet to help facilitate healing to go. In many places it has become “how many tax dollars can we bring in” instead of “how can we truly do what is best for those residents in our community.” The balance is gone. I dislike that politics are separating people. We can disagree but still work together to make a difference in the lives of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: exodusranch.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Exodus-Ranch
Image Credits
We would like to thank Shell Sampson Photography for some of these wonderful photos!
