EquiFriends - offering the many benefits of
therapeutic horseback riding
Our Mission
EquiFriends is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for children and adults living with disabilities using therapeutic equestrian activities.
The "Mane Event" Dinner Auction Fundraiser
Reservations
Dear Friends, Volunteer, Students and Supporters of EquiFriends:
The EquiFriends Board of Directors knows that these are hard and uncertain economic times for everyone. Unfortunately, EquiFriends Therapeutic Equestrian Program for Children and Adults with Disabilities also has financial difficulties. As with all non-profit charities, EquiFriends has endured many financial challenges during its 20 years of providing service to those with disabilities in our community. This year, due to circumstances beyond our control, the financial struggles became unmanageable, when the annual major fundraiser, the “Mane Event” dinner/auction, which EquiFriends depends heavily upon for operating funds, could not be held on Oct. 18. This put the program budget in serious shortfall. Without the funding from this event, along with the steady decrease of grants, community contributions and rising costs, the Board was forced to make the very difficult decision to lay off EquiFriends staff and suspend classes for our special riders.
Only with substantial, significant funding and program reconstruction would EquiFriends be able to resume normal operations and riding classes again. The Mane Event dinner/auction has been rescheduled to celebrate the past 20 years, and to raise funds for expenses which were incurred in the last few months of riding classes for our students. At this event we will celebrate and remember the 20 years of service provided to the disabled in our community. The funds raised at this event alone will not allow classes to resume at EquiFriends, but they will help in determining the future of EquiFriends as the Board of Directors continues to explore options for the program. Only when these responsibilities are met will the board be able to pursue possibilities for EquiFriends.
Celebrating 20 Years
Please help us celebrate the past 20 years! The Board members are proud that EquiFriends has been an effective and substantial therapy center for those with special needs in Snohomish County. Over those years, thousands of students have been lifted into the saddle atop of wonderful horses to receive therapy to meet their goals and the challenges of their impairments. We dedicate this ‘Mane Event’ to those students and to the thousands of volunteers that have been at their sides to accomplish EquiFriends mission.
You're Invited to Help Celebrate EquiFriends 20 Years of Service
The "MANE EVENT" Dinner Auction Fundraiser
Sunday, November 23, 2008, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
at Hidden Meadows, 11805 Springhetti Road, Snohomish
Auctioneer Tom Pasma
MC Gerry Andal
Dinner with wine and beverage
Tickets: Your Donation ($40 minimum per person)
Reservations and Full Details
Therapeutic Equestrian Benefits
Horseback riding is an intrinsically beneficial activity. The three dimensional swinging motion of the horse's gait is a living therapy tool, moving the rider up/down, forward/backward, side-to-side – all helping to wake up, challenge and stimulate muscle and brain activity. Read more on the many benefits of Therapeutic riding at EquiFriends (PDF).
Horse Tales for the Soul
The Complete Pet is selling a book for us. Learn about the wonderful Horse Tales for the Soul books! and Join Us for The Cowboy-Up Holiday Tour! Just buy any Horse Tales for the Soul book or audio book from October 6 through the end of December through our affiliate link or directly from the center and our volunteers, and EquiFriends will earn 20% of the price!
There are many ways you can get involved with this important work:
Join us - become a member!
Sponsor a rider – become a sponsor.
Give a little and get a lot - become a donor or volunteer.