Lanark County therapeutic riding program gallops away with $6,550 donation
100 Lanark County women just made it a little easier for residents to access the healing magic of horses.
On the evening of Monday, Sept. 30, 100 Women Who Care Lanark County announced and celebrated a new winner for their potluck donation. The three local charities spotlighted at the event were:
- Friends of the Smiths Falls Library
- Lanark County Therapeutic Riding Program
- Mississippi Madawaska Land Ontario Trust
Connectwell Therapeutic Riding Program (previously Lanark County Therapeutic Program) was ultimately the winner of Monday night’s donation of $6,550. According to Therapeutic Riding Coordinator Amy Booth, the riding program has served the community for almost 40 years.
“We provide specialized horseback riding lessons to disabled folks across the Ottawa Valley. Participants come out to the farm and spend time with some wonderful horses and volunteers in the great wide open. It’s as simple as that.”
Booth told Lanarkist that she’s honoured to act as a “steward” for this grass-roots program and claims “there is nothing I won’t or don’t do for this program. Some days I shovel manure, some days I sit in board rooms, and some days I write articles. I love working with people from all walks of life in many different capacities. It keeps me humble and motivated.”
The 100 Women Who Care initiative brings together women from the Lanark region to join a membership program where they pledge to donate $100 four times a year, for a total of $400. All money collected through membership pledges goes toward a collective donation to be spread among local charities. To date, the initiative has raised almost $196,000.
Chair Vanessa Simmons told Lanarkist that the membership voted in favour of the Connectwell program because they were so moved by their presentation.
Simmons shared, “It was description and stories of how exposing people with developmental and physical disabilities to the fun and therapeutic nature of riding or being around the calming, tranquil effects of horses and the targeted use of the funds to ‘buy a horse to allow another one to retire after 4000 rides’ that hit home for a lot of the membership.”
She expressed that while she believed the three causes that presented were very deserving, “The almost $7,000 needed to buy a horse is a small amount of money with huge impact and value in this case, where little other funding is available for that kind of purchase.”
Simmons explained that the top three nominated charities are asked to present at the upcoming meeting and provide a short video of who they are, what they do, and where the donated funds will go.
“At the meeting, following a live presentation from the three selected groups, the votes are tallied and totalled, and the donation amount is announced that evening of the successful charity.”
“When I saw our charity name was written on the big cheque, I was a little surprised,” Booth told Lanarkist. “I have to admit – I left that night with the biggest smile on my face.”
Booth confirmed that the program can now retire one beloved hard-working horse this fall, and this money will enable them to purchase a beautiful black baby horse named Mickey. The remaining amount will go towards covering cost for hay and blankets over the coming winter.
The organization’s final meeting this year will take place on Monday, Nov. 25. To learn more, visit https://100womenlanark.ca/how-it-works/?