2nd Annual RIDING ON ANGELS’ WINGS FUNDRAISER

Supporting Equine Therapy in the F/M Area

Recently the Red River Valley Fairground was a host to a Mixed Stag fundraiser benefiting the nonprofit charity Riding on Angels’ Wings (ROAW). Founded in 2002 by Bette Shipley, the mother of a son born with Cerebral Palsy, ROAW’s goals include not only strengthening and empowering youth, but also providing education on the benefits of equine therapy and activities.

H eld on March 30th this 2nd annual event saw over 350 individuals enjoying a pork roast dinner, raffles, cash prizes and live auctions. The event received overwhelming community support, including corporate sponsorship from Jordahl Custom Homes. Support from individuals such as Harvey Orthodontics and Wally and Sandy Fuchs were also instrumental in making the evening a success.

D escribing the event as a fund-raising opportunity for youth to receive therapeutic riding scholarships, Shipley stated, “We want to be able to serve the children, and if we can offer scholarships to help them, that is the ultimate goal.”

L ikening the growth in ROAW’s programming to the vast numbers of new faces at the event, Shipley continuously strives to educate the public on equine therapy and its immeasurable benefits―not only for youth with disabilities but also for ‘at-risk’ youth―and also to provide quality programming while working closely with parents in a family-centered atmosphere. Upcoming events such as the Fargo Marathon, which includes ROAW as one of its GoFar Charity teams, are helping to ensure that ROAW will continue to provide an outstanding therapeutic option in the Fargo-Moorhead area. [AWM]