Merrickville Ontario, October 2025 - Rideau Community Health Services (RCHS) is proud to announce Heritage Stables as the recipient of the 2025 Community Recognition Award. The award was presented on October 3, 2025, at Heritage Stables by Michele Bellows, RCHS CEO, and Sandra Shaw, Board Chair.
The Community Recognition Award, first introduced by the RCHS Board of Directors in 2017, was created to acknowledge an agency or individual who has made significant contributions to the health and wellbeing of community members and clients. Each year, this recognition highlights the efforts of those who go above and beyond to make our communities stronger and more connected.
This year’s recipient, Heritage Stables, exemplifies those values through their remarkable commitment to community engagement, inclusivity, and wellness. Owned and operated by the Drummond family since 2008, and home to more than 50 horses, the stables celebrate the diverse talents of their equine partners, from trail riding and dressage, to jumping, western games, and everything in between. Families in the area know them best for their much-loved Children’s Farm Camp, where kids experience the joy of horses, farming, and friendship.
Beyond the farm, Heritage Stables continues to demonstrate outstanding community leadership and generosity. Their Hooves for Heart program enriches lives through therapeutic horseback riding. They also actively support numerous local organizations including the RCHS’ Food Cupboard Program in Merrickville, Beth Donovan Hospice, the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, the ALS Society of Canada, Parkinson Canada, and the Canadian Hemophilia Society. Heritage Stables annually partners with the Canadian Armed Forces Soldier On Program in support of veterans and serving members, and in 2024, they hosted the RCMP Musical Ride, raising an incredible $25,000 in support of local causes, including our RCHS Food Cupboard Program.
Heritage Stables also hosts beloved community events such as the annual Fall for Merrickville Festival, which welcomed more than 4,000 visitors in 2025. Their ongoing commitment to fostering community spirit and giving back truly embodies the mission and values of RCHS.
RCHS extends congratulations and gratitude to Heritage Stables for their dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities. Their passion, generosity, and community-minded spirit make them truly deserving of this year’s Community Recognition Award.
