When most people see a volunteer event on Facebook, they click “like” or maybe share it with a friend. But for former Sheridan resident Susan Strain, one little comment on a post turned into a journey of more than 3,000 miles to roll up her sleeves at the historic Huson Homestead.

The homestead features a two-story stone home built in 1881 by Edward “Doc” and Clarissa Huson. Their sons, Harry and Fred, quarried the rocks and mixed the mud to set the stones. The property’s owners in 2015 worked with the Sheridan Community Land Trust to establish a historic preservation easement on the stone portions of the home as well as a conservation easement on 528 acres of surrounding sagebrush steppe and grassland that pastures livestock and is prime habitat for Greater Sage-grouse and migrating waterfowl along Clear and Ulm Creeks.

Susan’s connection goes back more than 50 years. She and Viva Huson McGill, great-granddaughter of Doc and Clarissa Huson, have been friends since first grade. “The Huson Homestead is the ancestral home of my friend Viva,” she explained. “When I saw the cleanup day post, I said that with my bad leg, I can’t even weed my own garden.”

That’s when SCLT’s Chris Vrba chimed in: Come anyway. Chris had no idea Susan lived more than 1,500 miles away. But the invitation planted a seed. “As I thought about my long friendship with Viva, I decided that I wanted to go,” she said. With encouragement from her husband, Anthony Strain, and a few family visits built into the trip, she hit the road. “My role in life for my family and friends is to show up. Whether or not I have anything to contribute, I show up.”

Though she had driven past the Huson Homestead before, this was her first time stepping onto the property. And this time, she wasn’t just a visitor — she was part of the crew giving the house some TLC. “Volunteering with SCLT to clean up the Huson Homestead was a way I could help preserve history and share something with my friend Viva,” she said.

The day held special moments, like working alongside Viva’s son Eric. “She has a fine son, and it is wonderful to see the next generation of the Huson family so involved in preserving their family history,” she shared.

If Doc and Clarissa could have seen the volunteers that day? “They’d probably be grateful for the generosity the community has shown. I’m sure they’d be proud their home is still standing and that it’s valued as a historical site.”

Her takeaway is simple: “Please volunteer. You are needed and welcome, regardless of your age, skills, or physical abilities.”

Because sometimes, showing up — even from 1,564 miles away — makes all the difference.

Would you like to help in fun, fulfilling ways? See where your help is needed, regardless of your age, skills, or abilities, in the SCLT Volunteer Corner at https://sheridanclt.org/volunteer/.

Learn more about the Historic Huson Homestead at https://sheridanclt.org/projects/doc-huson/.