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Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Hosts Third Annual Harvest Fest to Raise Funds for Scholarships
Loxahatchee, FL- September 2, 2009 – The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its third annual Harvest Fest fundraising event at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on October 3, 2009. The Harvest Fest fundraiser is a ride-a-thon and family festival held each year to raise money for VTRC’s scholarship program. The scholarship program allows the Center to provide discounted services to over 350 clients with disabilities each year.
“We’ve noticed that the economy has not been very strong this year because our requests for scholarships have been much more significant than they were previously,” commented VTRC Founder and Executive Director Ruth Menor. “We just started the fall session and we have 125 riders. Essentially everyone is on a scholarship because we don’t charge anyone the actual cost of what it is for us to have him or her ride, but normally there is some kind of fee structure. This year there are a lot of parents that aren’t able to make any kind of a contribution for their kids to ride.”
The scholarship program is vital to VTRC and the annual Harvest Fest event is its main fundraiser. This year’s Harvest Fest will feature carnival games, a barbeque, pony rides, and riding demonstrations. Two of the demonstrations this year will include a drill team routine and an Arabian riding demonstration.
Another feature event is the Breyer model horse contest. Children may bring their own Breyer model horse or purchase one at the event to decorate and receive prizes. This year’s prizes in each division include the choice of a Breyer model kit or a new Breyer horse. The Grand Champion will receive a $50 savings bond.
The main event each year is the Ride-A-Thon. Members of the community as well as VTRC riders are welcome to participate in the ride-a-thon and raise pledges to support riders with special needs. Riders collect donations to sponsor them while they participate in a trail ride, and the riders that reach certain pledge levels will also receive prizes.
The final event this year will be the Horse and Human Costume Contest. VTRC is partnering with Mounted Posse for this unique event, where riders will create costumes for themselves and their horses. Riders may compete as an individual or as a team.
This fun filled day of events offers something that each member of the family can enjoy while supporting a good cause.
“We’re proud of our community that we’re able to provide scholarships to so many riders that need them,” said Menor. “We have lots of dedicated volunteers as well, so our community has really come through for us and for the riders.”
The VTRC is a nonprofit organization based in Loxahatchee, FL, that provides recreational and therapeutic riding instruction to people of all ages with varying developmental, physical, and psychological disabilities. The organization, founded in 1982, assists more than 350 adults and children every year, helping them gain a sense of accomplishment, greater independence, and a higher quality of life. The VTRC has received a “Premier Accreditation” rating from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).
For more information on the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.vinceremos.com.