For 50 years, a team of hard-working Emmaus clients and staff members have traveled to Perryville, Ark., with their sleeves rolled up ready to work.Their destination is Heifer Ranch, a 1,200-acre facility that provides agricultural education for farmers around the world.This year, a team of 11 members are serving at the ranch Oct. 14-19. They will feed animals, repair fence, pick vegetables and will have a lot of fun doing it.“My favorite part is walking the goats and feeding them,” said Saul Anderson. “I had one big goat leaning against my shoulder. That’s fine, as long as he don’t bite.”“Guys are giving back to the community,” said Suzy Hellebusch. “We’ve met people from Russia, China and the Philippines. Some are there to volunteer, some are there to learn.”Brian Juntti accompanies the clients each year. He said the open air is good for all of them. He said he eats healthier there by consuming all the organic food grown on the property.“I remember picking up acorns one day for the pigs,” he said.Client John Rinne has made the trip several times. His mother, the Rev. Ruth Rinne, initially introduced the group to Heifer Ranch.Terry Paridy, who has made the trip for more than 30 years said he remembers the water buffalo that used to live on the farm. He remembers shoveling up after them to provide manure for the gardens.The clients split up into groups so they meet lots of other friends. They may work in the gardens, milk goats, make goat cheese or feed the chickens.Paul Crusius spent a lot of time with the chickens. He lovingly removed each hen, cradling them in his arms while he collected the eggs daily.Hellebusch said the men love the trip. They don’t mind the hard work, they love meeting other people and enjoy an annual field trip to the state park and out to a restaurant for dinner while they are there.Heifer International has provided more than 125 countries with the education or the livestock they need to operate small farms. The organization uses volunteers at the ranch to help combat hunger and poverty around the world. Opportunities for families or students are available. For more information visit www.heifer.org.

Terry Paridy, left, and Saul Anderson learn to feed the rabbits at a past service week at Heifer Ranch in Arkansas. Nearly a dozen Emmaus staff and clients served again this year from Oct. 14-19. 

Submitted Photo

A team of 11 staff and clients from Emmaus Homes celebrated its 50th year of serving at the Heifer International Ranch in Perryville, Ark. The group will feed the animals, gather eggs, shovel manure or make repairs. They look forward to the trip each year. Pictured, from left, Brian Juntti, client services, Saul Anderson, John Rinne, Suzy Hellebusch, client services, Terry Paridy and Paul Crusius. Paridy has made the trip more than 30 years. Not pictured are Greg Ballamy, clients services, James Smith, Lloyd Purler and Randy Pritchett. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden