Hello, my name is Mr. Morris and I am "Saddle Up" and the fellow next to me, is Dr. Ray and he is "4 Good".  Together we are "Saddle up 4 Good". 

MISSION STATEMENT:

My mission is to create a climate where domestic violence victims and their families will feel safe and self assured.  The venue in which I travel to enrich people's lives is by helping to enhance their link to the western world.  I want to enlighten, excite and educate everyone I come in contact with about the strong African American Heritage through western culture.  I want to stimulate people through the use of horses to cultivate, grow and rely on one's own self strengths and awareness.

IF THERE ARE NO CONSEQUENCES THEN THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE

What I Do

I pride myself as being one of the best horsemen in the world.  I offer inspiration and encouragement to those that I come in contact with.  When people are down and have been through some tough crisis in their lives, I want to be there to offer an alternative way of looking at what at the time, appears to be hopeless.  Women and children should always feel safe and secure.  Unfortunately, that is not always the case and when that happens, my partner, Dr. Ray Charles Lockamy's skills and mine's combined, kick in to uplift, inspire and motivate domestic violence victims in renewing their self value.  I believe that women and children deserve to be happy and without fear. 

Dr. Ray Charles Lockamy and myself have partnered to form "SADDLE UP 4 GOOD" .  If you would like to know more about this charitable organization and/or support this organization, click the link above.  We stand ready to serve.

At the Philadelphia expo, Mayor Michael Nutter was the keynote speaker. Walmart also brought in a pair of inspirational speakers, Ray Charles Lockamy and Mister Morris, who run the nonprofit Saddle Up 4 Good. Last year, the pair, who are cowboys, rode on horseback from Maine to Florida raising money and awareness for causes related to domestic violence and at-risk youth.

“We sold our car in Maine. In six weeks, I think we bought food twice. Otherwise, people took us in,” Lockamy said.

Mullany said the pair illustrate a can-do spirit that Walmart embraces.

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Monday, July 14, 2008

Black Cowboy ‘Saddles Up 4 Good’ by Raising Funds for Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a cause that is dear to D.C. area horseman Mr. Morris, the founder and former President of the Rough Riders and East Coast Rough Riders horse clubs located in Prince George's County, Maryland. Also known as the “Metropolitan Cowboy”, Morris is riding 1,641 miles on horseback from Portland, Maine to Jacksonville, Florida for the "Saddle Up 4 Good" Horse Ride, to help raise $50,000 for Doorways for Women and Families, a shelter that aids victims of domestic violence and their families located in Northern Virginia.

Mr. Morris says, "My mother had to change her identity and move in order to escape the abuse. No woman is immune to the risk of being abused, and no one should have to endure it. We must raise awareness of one of the greatest stains on our society."

Ray Charles Lockamy, also a D.C. area horseman who is completing the trail ride with Morris, are determined to complete the ride in order to put a stop to domestic violence.

"Every nine seconds in the United States, a woman is beaten; yet there are only 1,500 shelters for battered women," says Linda Dunphy, Executive Director of Doorways for Women and Families.

Supporters can keep track of the riders' location using GPS technology, contact them via e-mail, or make a donation to the cause via http://www.saddleupforgood.com/. A $1 donation will provide membership to the cause, and keep the horses fed during the journey. (Be sure to read their blog, which has well wishes from people they met along their journey!)

In addition to supporting domestic violence, the horse ride will also benefit the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Scholarship Fund, which supports causes pertaining to youth outreach and prison reform.

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Series, which is the first of its kind, brings an important element of Black Western Heritage into our present day experience by entertaining audiences all across America. (In other words, it’s a black rodeo! Yee Haw!) Visit the website for more information on Bill Pickett and the rodeo here. Upcoming cities include Bakersfield, CA; Los Angeles; Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; and Las Vegas.

To learn more about Mr. Morris, visit http://www.dmvcowboy.com.

Source: Press release

Posted by Tracey at Monday, July 14, 2008

Labels: community events, domestic violence, everyday heroes

 http://www.blackgivesback.com/2008/07/black-cowboy-saddles-up-4-good-by.html