EL CAJON, Calif. -- More than 25 Marines and sailors with the Single Marine Program at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar teamed up with volunteers at the Challenge Ranch to help renovate and clean up their 10-acre facility.

The visit marks the first time volunteers from the SMP helped at the ranch.

“We appreciate the help the service members gave us during their time here at the ranch,” said Jane Tomczak, ranch owner. “All the work that needed to get done would have taken weeks without their help.”

After a brief tour and reading off the list of chores, the group rolled up their sleeves and began working.

One group grabbed pickaxes and shovels and began digging a trench for an irrigation system, while another used electric sanders to scrape paint off of the wooden hurdles in the horse jumping arena.

Volunteers also removed dead vegetation throughout the ranch and helped with daily maintenance of the horses.

“I enjoyed the work I helped do at the ranch,” said Pfc. Sherlynn Quintanilla, an airframes mechanic with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11. “I was raised on a farm in Missouri and doing this made me feel like I was home.”

Jane and her husband, Tom, treated the volunteers to lunch and a pool party to show their thanks.

Throughout the year, the station SMP has helped with several events including the 50th Annual Wheelchair Regatta in San Diego. The program volunteers have donated more than 1,200 hours of their time.

Those who volunteer with the program can earn prizes based on the number of hours donated. Single Marines have the opportunity to receive a Letter of Appreciation after six hours; two movie tickets after 10 hours; a $25 Marine Corps Exchange Gift Card after 25 hours; two tickets to Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, or Murder Mystery Café after 50 hours; two tickets to a Hornblower Dinner Cruise, Pirates Dinner Adventure, or Universal Studios after 100 hours.

Those interested in volunteering should contact Petty Officer 2nd Class Jayme Johnson at 858-577-7368.