The women of SWOOP take on large-scale, nearly overwhelming projects that are beyond the means of the people or agencies served and generally complete these projects in one day.  The projects we accept are usually ones that would go undone but for SWOOP.  The following are descriptions of two of our projects:

The Heads Up! Therapeutic Riding Program in Pittsboro, North Carolina, provides therapy to children and adults with special needs, using horses as dynamic interactive tools, to address impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities in people with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.  The program had been given permission to ride on two adjoining tracts of land, but had no way to clear the trails that would make this possible.  In February 2005, over 90 SWOOPers arrived at Heads Up! to clear the trails, and while there, also built a fence, made a playground, and refurbished the barn.  This one-day project now allows Heads Up! riders and horses to get out of the riding ring and into terrain that provides greater stimulation, an important goal of the Heads Up! program.


Facing bankruptcy, Mary (not her real name) lacked the resources for necessary upkeep and repairs on her home.  In April 2005, despite cold and rainy weather, nearly 70 SWOOPers descended on Mary’s home to make extensive carpentry repairs, completely repaint the interior of her six-room home, clean up the yard, haul off junk, and remove yard waste.  Mary was not in a position to accomplish any of these tasks, and no other organization would or could devote the sheer numbers of workers and time necessary to do the job.  SWOOP paid over $600 for all of the necessary construction materials.