Jeanna Crawford, our Queen of Christmas, and her family have poured their heart and souls into an incredibly unique form of giving back and changing lives. The spirit of Christmas is so much more than simply decorating trees, for it is more blessed to give than to receive and that is exactly what Jeanna has done for the past 18 years. (Acts 20:35).
But what is Carousel Ranch?
A nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children and young adults with special needs. Disguising therapy as fun has proved to be beautifully beneficial in providing a light for those struggling with disability. With one horse and one student, Denise Redmond and Becky Graham started their dream to offer equestrian therapy and vocational training programs. Moving to the Santa Clarita Valley with 31 students, little by little word spread around, and more clients were joining the ranch and seeing results. As of today, Carousel Ranch has 80 students of all ages and all different forms of disability.
Equine therapy being the heart and soul of the nonprofit, following the 2018 Heart of the West event, the riding arena was named in honor of the Crawford family.
Jeanna's relationship with Carousel Ranch blossomed through her father-in-law, Wayne Crawford's own dedication to giving back. When speaking with The Signal he said, “It’s just something that kind of gets to you, when you see what they do, the first time when you see one of the (horseback riding) demonstrations, it’s just kind of something that grabs you.”
Everything started with a simple tractor, when Denise Redmond and Becky Graham decided to move to the Santa Clarita Valley in 2001, they were told that Wayne had a tractor that could help them. After he kindly helped them, their relationship with the Crawford family began. Not only Jeanna got involved, every member of the family did.
Jeanna, in true JeannaLovesChristmas fashion, found her own recipe for success and went all out, creating the largest fundraiser in all of the Santa Clarita Valley. The Heart of the West, put HIS party planning to work and pushed Jeanna to take the beauty and elegance she is known by to the next level. In 2018, her efforts paid off, a sold-out event, bringing in $400,000. Over the last 18 years, the event has brought in over $4 million, making the dreams of Denise, Becky, and each and every student that's lives have been changed for the better come true.
For Jeanna, there is always more work to be done and just like Christmas comes again every year, so does this event and the powerful effects it has on the lives of special needs children in the community, including her own son, Caynen, who began riding at the ranch almost 7 years ago.
Giving back is not something to save for the weeks leading up to the big day, but something Jeanna pushes to do each and every day throughout the year.
Carousel Ranch is home for Jeanna and every member of her family.
Denise Redmond
Jeanna is always looking for new ways to give back to her favorite nonprofit. If you are on the hunt for stylish, quality home decor and holiday accents, shop Sullivan's Home Decor. Using the code JeannaLovesYou for 25% off your entire purchase with 10% donated to Carousel Ranch!
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