FRO M VOLUNTEER TO LEGACY MEMBER Cheryl Sheridan is the Essence of Gi()ing Back exper iences . "I once worked with an older gent leman who was unable to speak or ride , but he could follow instructions on how to groom the horses in the barn." Through the generous gifts o f donors like Cheryl, High Hope can conti nue its mission of improving the lives of people of all ages with c ognit ive , ph ysical and emotional disabilities. Planned giving op t ions may include: BEQUESTS, CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIE S, CHARITABLETRUST S, IRA AN D INSURANC E
A volunteerfor 15years , Che,y l Sh eridan said her love of animals and working with parti cipallls prompted her to join H igh Hopes ' Lega cy So cie(y. These very generous benefactors help ensure the continued success of High Hopes ' programs well into the future. Cheryl said she joined the Legacy Society because of High Hopes ' position as a leader in international therapeutic riding instruction. Over the years, High Hopes staff have trained more than 250 therapeutic riding
Remembering
JOHN C. EVANS
instructors throughout the United States and abroad. Thiswas a legacy that she wanted to be part of . But Cheryl, who has tou c hed the lives of many as a High Hopes volunteer, said her decision to make a planned gift was reinforced by her personal involvement. "It's rewarding to witness how some of the young riders start out fearful of the horses, and end up riding the largest ones in the herd ." Cheryl said volunteering at High Hopes also brings with it a variety of riders and
POLICIESAND GIFTSOF PROPER TY.
Donors should consult wi th a financia l advisor, attorney or accountant about other ways to make a planned gift and to determine the best op t ion . ►►►►►►►►►►►►►►►►► TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUTOUR LEGACY SOCIETY,OR SETUP AN APPOINTMENTTO DISCUSSSOME OF THE PLANS THATARE BESTFOR YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, CONTACT SARA QUA, DEVELOPMENTDIRECTOR,AT SQUA@HIGHHOPESTR .O RG OR (860) 434- 1974 X122.
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BEST OF LUCK to LizA dams
I n Ja11ua1-y· we were sadd ened to learn of the passing of H igh H opes' Board of li'UStee Chairman Emeritus, John C. "Jack "Ev ans, of Essex.
Congratulations to our superb P rogram D irector L iz Adams who is leaving H igh Hopes inilf arch toj oin a new therapeutic riding program on Cape Cod.
Jack served as the Board Chair from 2003-2006 and had a tremendous impact on the success of High Hopes. He was the first recipient of High Hopes' Lytt Gould Leadership Award , given annually to an individual in recognition of their leadership , vision and commitment to our sustainability and future growth. "Jack made many contributions not only to High Hopes but to our community ," said Kitty Stalsburg , High Hopes ' Executive Director . "He will be greatly missed and we are forever grateful that his influence and dedication to High Hopes will be felt for years to come. "
Lizha s been a valuable member of the High Hopes staff for the last six years. We appreciate her pro fessionalism , dedication and leadership . Her contributions have been man y in her time with us and w e wish her the very best in the next phase o f her jo urney . The search for a Program Director is unde rway a nd Lizwill be work ing closely with all of our staff to make a smooth transition. While we will miss Liz, we are excited for her new opportunity. ►►►►►►►►►►►►►►►►► PLEASE JOIN USFORA RECEPTION IN LIZ'S HONOR ON FEBRUARY 26THFROM 5-7 PM AT HIGH HOPES.
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"H orses have fee lings like humans. their ability to learn and thrive in school, 1ÂĽi tlw ut enough love, they don 't fee l society and at home. like they belong. " " By working with the staff and horses at That's according to 11year-old Nathan , one of six students from Montville's Leonard J. Tyl Middle School who make the trip to High Hopes each week for a learning experience he can't get in a traditional classroom.
High Hopes on a weekly basis, students are building relationships with the horses and each other," said Dorothy Griffis,Tyl Special Education Teacher. "High Hopes gives them a chance to practice selfcontrol. trust, respect and responsibility."
The students are enrolled in Montville's Pathways Program , which helps them with varying degrees of behavioral, emotional and social needs improve
Montville's Palmer Academy Special Education Teacher Meryl Ohrnberger agrees and said everyone is on a level playing field when her group of six 14to
17-year olds arrive at High Hopes each week. "They groom the horses, clean the stalls or participate in carriage driving," said Ohrnberger . "They don 't always know what they ' ll be doing when they arrive , so it helps them adapt to change and become more flexible with their think ing ." Ohrnberger recalls two students were initially very frightened of horses. They started to overcome the ir fear by grooming High Hopes' Miniature Horse Al. then the pony Smokey. "In a short time, the students became more comfortable and were groom ing Taylor, one of the larger horses," she said. Two of the 8th graders from Tylalso were fearfu l in the beginning because they had never been around horses and were intim idated by their size. Since attending the prog ram. the students now groom, lead and part icipate in carriage driving activities . "It's remarkable to see how students learn respec t and understanding from the horsesand each other. Working with the High Hopes team istruly a unique and rewarding experience ," saysOhrnberger.
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Ensur ing a happy retirement aft er "We respect the contribut ion of all High Hopes horses no matter how long ;-ears of service. We are often asked why High Hopes would retire its beautiful and intelligent horses who have given so much to our participants.
they have served our participants ," said Holly Sundmacker, High Hopes' Equine Operations Director . "We want to give them what they need to be stress free after all the contributions they have made to the program and our partic ip ants ."
High Hopes ' horses are retired for a variety of reasons, with stressbeing one of the more common causes. Each At times, horses are retired due to horse is given a trial period before advanced age or their dimin ished being accepted into the program, physical capability which prevents but they handle various situations them from handling the demands of differently, just like people. Some the program. become weary of being ridden and hand led by multiple people throughout "We take great care to ensure retired the day, others may not be fond of horses are cared for," said Sundmacker. inconsistency in their riders' skills or "We contact their origina l owner or trainer, or they may go to Mitchell Farm participating in repetitive activities.
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Equine Retirement in Salem, CT, for the rest of their lives. Many find a new home with a private owner , and severa l have gone home with staff or volunteers." Sundmacker says High Hopes continues to check on their well-being, long after their retirement . "O nce a High Hopes horse, always a High Hopes horse! "
NON-PROFITORG. U.S. POSTAGE
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