Want to join us in making a difference? We are currently raising money to benefit Great Strides Long Island, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us here at the ranch.
Throughout the ages, humans have found strength, support, beauty, and wonder in the horse. Great Strides Long Island has centered its purpose around the belief that horses can promote strength of body, mind and soul and has focused on providing wellness through equine-human connections. Great Strides initially began its operations by offering fundraising support in the form of scholarships for riders who could not afford to participate in equestrian activities. Shortly after its initial fundraising initiatives, Great Strides further expanded its scholarship offerings to include veteran riders. In 2014, Great Strides became the independent organization it is today by assuming full management responsibility of the lesson programs it had supported since inception. Since then, Great Strides’ programs have continued to expand and now include, not only veteran and therapeutic riding programs, but a counseling and mentoring program, as well as a combined meditation and lesson offering. Since 2014, Great Strides has more than doubled program participation and increased scholarship dollars by 150%. Great Strides continues to maintain a strong commitment to offering the benefits of the horse-human bond to anyone who can benefit, regardless of ability to pay.
As has been the case for many other organizations, 2020 has been a challenging year for Great Strides Long Island. Pandemic restrictions shut down the organization’s operations for nearly 3 months, leaving Great Strides with rent to pay, horses to feed and care for (farriers, veterinarians, medications) and no incoming revenue. Much of Great Strides’ reserve funding was used to care for its animals. When Great Strides was able to reopen, the organization found itself without the funding necessary to provide scholarships to its veteran and differently abled riders as it has done for the past 12 years. Due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, Great Strides is unable to host its annual fundraiser, and has been unable to connect with foundations that have offered financial support in the past. In an attempt to ensure all riders continue riding, Great Strides has reduced its lesson cost where necessary, however this puts a tremendous strain on the organization’s financial resources. In this regard, we need your help.
Please consider supporting our riders and our horses by making a donation today.
Monthly care for one horse: $750
One-month scholarship for a veteran participant: $340
(One-hour sessions include grooming, ground work and riding)
One-month scholarship for a child or adult with different abilities: $220
(half-hour sessions)
One-month scholarship for the counseling/mentoring program: $280
(45-minute sessions)
Our goal is to raise $50,000, which would enable Great Strides to reinstate full scholarships for veteran riders, maintain its lesson horses and once again offer scholarships to participants who need the special strength that equine friends can provide…strength of body, mind and soul.
To make a donation please visit our GoFundMe page by clicking the link below