Yadkin Ripple

Holly Long holds Blondie, one of the therapeutic riding horses at Joshua’s Angel Center. The center will cater to families with handicapped children or adults, with no charge for these families.

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Thursday’s storm cost Joshua’s Angel Center of the Carolinas more than just their grand opening.

Fences, trees and other fixtures around the property were destroyed or pushed over, leaving owner Tammy Hazelwood no other choice but to reschedule the ribbon cutting.

“We had three fences that were down that we are having to fix back. We have four or five trees we’ve cleaned up. We have the fence behind the handicap-swing area that we’re going to have to mount back up…so it wouldn’t fall worse. We have lost a lot of rubber mulch,” Hazelwood said.

The cleanup has been ongoing from Thursday through Sunday.

Hazelwood and the rest of the center’s staff will have to hold their grand opening ceremony on July 13 instead to allow time for repairs and for the United States Submarine Veterans Winston-Salem/Greensboro branch - a supporter and partner in the effort to open the facility - to hold their July 4 activities.

The new time is set for noon until 3 p.m.

The event was originally scheduled for last Saturday, June 15. Contrary to articles in other publications, the ceremony was postponed Friday and advertised on the center’s Facebook page. The storm that blew through the area Thursday cut off power and left many different repairs to be made.

The center provides recreational horseback riding for families with handicapped members, something Hazelwood knows about firsthand.

Hazelwood said the center had been through hard times before and would persevere in this one as well.

“We took a pretty bad hit but it could have been worse,” Hazelwood said. “I’m not going to tell you I haven’t cried.”

The facility was ready to go before the storm. Carolina Carports and Elkin Sign Shop have teamed with the center to help with buildings and signs on the property. A handicap-accessible gazebo is also being designed.

“We’ve got tack rooms done, we’ve got concrete poured. We’ve got a lot done,” Hazelwood said.

Everyone is welcome back July 13 including those without disabilities. Inflatable bouncing houses will be available for the children and hot dogs for the lunch.

To contact Taylor Pardue call 336-835-1513 ext. 15, or email him at tpardue@civitasmedia.com.