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Chepachet Couple Channels Wedding Gifts to Support Veterans Ranch
By Drooid · · How we work
Wedding Gifts Redirected to Veterans Ranch
Richard and Paulette Hayden celebrated their marriage last weekend at Pinewood Pub Pizza in Chepachet, inviting roughly 100 friends and family. Instead of traditional presents, the couple asked guests to donate to Dare to Dream Ranch, a nonprofit in Foster that provides free therapeutic programs for veterans, active-service members and their families. The Haydens, both widowed, said they wanted a simple celebration and felt “when you get to be our age, what do you need? We don’t need anything.” Their request marked the first time the ranch had been asked to receive wedding-gift donations.
About Dare to Dream Ranch
Founded in 2014 by Karen Dalton, the ranch began by transporting homeless veterans to a friend’s farm for horse-working therapy. In 2016 it moved to a 16-acre property where it now offers horseback riding, gardening, woodworking, fly-fishing and psychiatric service-dog support—all at no cost to participants. The organization is supported by the Rolling Thunder veterans-advocacy group, of which the Haydens are members.
Official Statements & Responses
Dalton explained that contributions of any size enable the ranch to keep sessions free, noting that “whether it’s $100 or $600, that helps us to be able to provide these sessions at no cost to our clients.” She expressed humility at being approached about the wedding donation request and thanked guests for their generosity. Richard Hayden added that the couple hopes the gesture will raise awareness of the ranch’s work and inspire further support for veterans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He’s involved in charity. I’m involved in charity, so that kind of brought us together,” — Paulette
- “When you get to be our age, what do you need? We don’t need anything,” — Paulette
- “All we wanted to do is have a nice party.” — The Haydens
- “Whether it’s $100 or $600, that helps us to be able to provide these sessions at no cost to our clients,” — Karen Dalton. Dalton, to ranch founder
- “We hope this gets the word out and blows up for Karen,” — Richard