Christmas in July

Friends of Patient Feather Ranch Rescue invite the community to participate in a fun evening of creativity and Christmas cheer while experiencing the magic of the homestead like never before.

The best part is, you don’t have to wait until the holidays because the free, family-oriented merry making is a summertime celebration set for Saturday, July 25 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

All proceeds will go to the Patient Feather’s nonprofit animal rescue organization.

Patient Feather in Raymond is a safe haven for large farm and exotic livestock animals; its owners and volunteers provide sanctuary for horses, cattle, donkeys, llama, camels and more.

Guests at Christmas in July will be treated to free photos with Santa, a raffle, ornament making, face painting, local vendors selling handmade items ($20 per 10×10 space), food and drinks.

A “Wreath and Sip” wreath-making workshop will take place during the evening ($35).

Vendors at press time were set to include Chanthira Paints face painting, Carly Cavillo of Teaspoon and Co. crocheted stuffed and plush characters, Nadine Parker Guillemin with Scentsy products, Marni Gaither with cottage baked goods, The One Liner specialty sodas, Sue Ellen Stone goat soaps and candles, BJ Aldrich Fallert with homemade products, Kristine Gausman GlassHaus Gallery art, Jessica Ardelle with custom press-on nails, Milla Smith quilts, Erika Halfkey of Crunchy Munchy Freeze Dried Candy, Carole McFarland and Tina Anderson of the Sew and Sew group with kitchen accessories, Laurie Siqueido art, Paula McAbee Gonzalez canning and goodies, Emily Giampaoli with The Liv Look.

Former Raymond Community Association president Nannette Rocha-Richey is helping to organize the jolly event.

The animal-centric lifestyle of Patient Feather ranch sits well with Rocha-Richey. She was raised on her family’s farm in the Dairyland community outside Chowchilla and grew up caring for horses, cattle, chickens, dogs and cats.

“Living on a working farm taught me that every animal deserves patience, respect and responsible care,” Rocha-Richey said.

Throughout her life, the Raymond resident has continued that commitment by taking in and caring for animals needing extra attention, whether domestic creatures or injured wildlife.

She said one experience that especially reflects her love of animals involved a young golden eagle that appeared at her family’s ranch during the heat of summer.

Too weak to fly, the bird remained under young Nannette’s care for nearly two months while she provided shelter, fresh water and nourishment until it regained the strength to return to the wild.

Rocha-Richey’s dedication to service extends beyond animals. In her capacity as president of the Raymond Community Association, she led the effort to revive the annual Raymond Parade in 2022 following the Covid-19 interruption.

And that’s how she met Perscilla and Bruce Davis at Patient Feather.

“Looking for unique entries that reflected the character of the foothill community, I invited Priscilla and Lucas the camel from Patient Feather Ranch Rescue to participate. The camels quickly became a crowd favorite and each year since the ranch has returned with additional camels, often dressed in colorful costumes alongside their handlers, delighting parade spectators.”

Rocha-Richey’s connection with the ranch became even more personal after the unexpected loss of one of the family’s beloved Kunekune pigs, Petunia, on Christmas Day 2025. She said that, afterwards, Petunia’s lifelong companion Charlie — affectionately known as “Cha-Cha” — clearly mourned the loss.

Recognizing Charlie needed the kind of companionship only other pigs could provide, Rocha-Richey and husband Bill Richey made the difficult but loving decision to donate him to Patient Feather Ranch Rescue.

“Charlie has since adapted to life at the ranch and formed a new bond with his companion, Miss Piggy. Watching Charlie thrive reinforced appreciation for the ranch’s mission and inspired me to become one of its volunteers.”

Volunteering is simply the continuation of values she learned as a child on a farm — kindness, stewardship and the belief that every animal deserves a safe home, compassionate care and, whenever possible, the companionship that allows it to flourish.

The extra hand lately has been helping plan activities to welcome visitors of all ages to Christmas in July, including photographs with Santa Claus and his sleigh, opportunities to meet many of the ranch’s approximately 35 rescued animals and enjoy local food and vendor booths.

“The event is intended to introduce the public to Patient Feather Ranch Rescue, encourage community involvement and support the ranch’s ongoing mission of providing lifelong care for rescued and surrendered animals.”

For information, contact Nannette at (408) 710-4060 or Perscilla at (559) 403-4156.

Patient Feather Ranch & Rescue is located at 30150 Rawhide Riata Road in Raymond. Visit www.patientfeatherranchrescue.org to learn more.