Custom made horses at heart of upcoming Rockton fire, police raffle

MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
Pastor Dan Herman who is the creator of two detailed rocking horses has generously donated two custom designed pieces to benefit Rockton Police and Fire Departments and related Associations. Tickets are now on sale to win one of these detailed creations. Representatives from each are pictured.

By Marianne Mueller
REPORTER
Two stunning custom made rocking horses have been carefully crafted. Each is made out of plywood by Pastor Dan Herman of the Old Stone Church in Rockton, and both have been donated to become part of a raffle that is now in full swing in support of two entities that make a difference in the Rockton Community every day.
An eye catching shiny black horse has been donated to the Rockton Fire Protection District Firefighter Association. A lighter natural shade beauty has been donated to the Rockton Police Department.
The public has an opportunity to purchase tickets to try to win one of these unique pieces. Raffle tickets are now available at a cost of $10 apiece.
Rockton Fire will raffle their horse during Fire Prevention Week on Oct. 6. Tickets for the Firefighter Association can be purchased at the fire station or at the Rockton Sanctuary Spa. Proceeds will be distributed to support scholarships for Hononegah High School seniors, the Old Stone Church Food Pantry, the “Shop with a Hero” program and other community needs.
Rockton Police plan to do a raffle on Dec. 7 as part of the 2019 Christmas Walk. Tickets for the police horse can be picked up at the Rockton Police Department-Rockton Police Association. The RPA is behind a Memorial established in the name of Officer Jaimie Cox who died in the line of duty. Additionally they also pay for Chaplains tuition to attend a three or four day workshop.
If all 500 tickets are sold before proposed draw dates proceeds will be divided equally between the police and fire allowing them to extend a hand to others.
Each creation cost $350 to make from start to finish and requires around 50 hours of labor,” said Herman. He adds, “If a horse is purchased the first step is to pick out a stain color and real horse hair is used for each mane; there is a variety of hair to choose from. Horses take a full sheet of plywood to complete. Saddles come from Brodhead, Wis. Every horse is one of a kind and comes with a plaque and a number. Horses stand at a height of 36” tall. A registry shows exactly where horses go to; who the new owner is. The Police horse is number 10. Those who buy a customized horse have the chance to be shown how it is made including all of its incredible details.”
When Herman first decided to design a horse he made a small primitive one. “I found a pattern online and built one for each of my three children. I liked the experience so much that I had to find a reason to make more. I thought; why not give these to non-profit organizations to help them further their goals. It feels good to give these to organizations who can do well on it,” Herman said. Herman is now building his 12th horse; seven have been given away to date.
Herman has served as the Fire and Police Chaplain in Rockton for the past 15 years. “I always want to support my departments,” Herman said.
The Old Stone Church, South Beloit Fire Department, Barbara Olson Center of Hope, Hope over Addiction, and RASE, (Rockford Alliance against Sexual Exploitation) are more organizations who have benefited from Herman’s incredible talent and generosity.
Horses were recently on display at the Rockton Police Departments Blues and BBQ. “I think so much of our Police and Fire Departments and all of the things they do for our community,” Herman lauds.