November Volunteer of the Month: Christie Kemp

by | Nov 1, 2026 | Volunteers of the Month

Congratulations to our November Volunteer of the Month, Christie Kemp!

At SAFE, our 250+ volunteers are truly the heart of our community. We can really only do what we do because of our amazingly generous volunteers! This month we are celebrating a truly dedicated volunteer — Christie Kemp.

Christie has been an incredible asset to SAFE since she joined us in 2022 as a Friday PM chore shift volunteer. Her dedication quickly became apparent, and she became a valued member of our Barn Assist team, where she now works closely with our Friday PM Barn Staff, helping with feeding, cleaning buckets, and countless other vital tasks. Her unwavering commitment and consistency are matched by the soft, gentle presence she brings to the barn. Her kindness shines through in every interaction, both with the horses and with her fellow volunteers, and her gentle nature creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all. Her remarkable attention to detail ensures that every task is completed with care, making a meaningful difference in the lives of our horses. We feel truly fortunate and grateful to have her as part of our team. Her generosity of spirit and dedication inspire us all, and we look forward to many more moments of shared success with her by our side.

Thank you, Christie, for all that you do!

Learn more about Christie below:

Photo courtesy of Sundee Photography.

How and when did you first get involved with horses? Do you have one now you want to tell us about?
I’ve never had a horse of my own, but I was very much a horse nut as a kid — my parents and I would often visit with family friends that owned a horse, my dad would take me trail riding at a local stable, and I spent several summers at a sleep away camp focused on horsemanship and riding. In high school, my dad’s co-worker invited me to come ride her horse, Sugar, several times a week. It only lasted one summer — tragically, Sugar was killed in a barn fire — but it was a bond that worked well for both of us. I was head over heels for that horse and completely spoiled.

What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE?
Don’t get me wrong, I love the horses and being able to help care for them, but it is the people who keep me coming back.

Do you have a favorite SAFE horse? If so, why?
Oh my, they are all so different and unique! I hesitate to say I have a favorite but, currently, I’m most drawn to Arionna and Wednesday…maybe because I’m tasked with bringing them in most weeks…

What do you do when you are not horsing around with us?
When I’m not at SAFE, I spend much of my time running my business (providing bookkeeping services to other small businesses), walks and trips to the dog park with my border collie, Lilah and, whether it be wedding celebrations or big health issues, helping to support my two adult daughters. Maybe I’ll get to add grandma duties to that list of support someday soon? As time allows, I also really enjoy gardening, biking & hiking, crafts, and playing my fiddle.

Do you have family or special people in your life who support your volunteer work that you would want us to mention in your write up?
The biggest shout out for supporting my volunteer work at SAFE needs to go to my neighbor who, week after week, welcomes Lilah to come stay with her on while I am at the barn. It sounds silly that dog sitting would make or break my ability to volunteer, but it really does make a huge difference.