Advertisement

"It's really important for the troops to know they haven't been forgotten," said OREA board member Tamara Hartwig. She said the group typically holds four rides a year and "we like to take on fund raising for a worthy cause."

Hartwig said she was talking with her children about what a good job Louise "Desert Angel" Downs does sending "Miracle" Boxes over to our men and woman serving in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan. She said the club decided to help raise money to purchase necessitates for those "Miracle" Boxes and defray the cost of the mailing the boxes, which cost $10.95 each to mail.

"People can donate what they want, but we're recommending $10 a person or $20 a family," Hartwig said. She said OREA members will also accept items to go in "Miracle" Boxes and blank cards so people can write about their ride and send words of encouragement to the troops.

Hartwig said the cards will be put in the "Miracle Boxes" July 5 when OREA members and other volunteers join Downs for a packing party in Ortonville to mark the first anniversary of the death of Joseph Miracle. The Brandon High School graduate and another soldier died in Afghanistan defending their unit in a fire fight.

For more information on the types of things needed for "Miracle Boxes" visit www.TheDesertAngel.org.

OREA, said Hartwig maintains 15 miles of equestrian trails and a primitive horse camp in the Hadley-Metamora Recreation Area. She said the group has plans to expand its trail network and recently completed a 40-by-24-foot pavilion.

The group meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the DNR building on Hurd Road. For more information, call Hartwig at (810) 797 5115 or visit www.hadleyhills.com.

Phil Foley may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8148 or pfoley@ lapeergroup.com