Fall 2020 In this edition: • Annual awards • Program Update • Horse of the Year • Holiday Market Update
Program Update
Participant
T
his year, our Annual Awards Celebration looked very different from in the past. Yet despite the masks, rain, and social distancing, it was a time of joyful celebration for participants, volunteers, and our very special horse of the year, Al! This newsletter is dedicated to all of those award winners. Reading through the stories it is so apparent how deserving these recipients are of recognition. Congratulations to all! Life at the farm is returning to a closer semblance of “normal� with over 100 participants and 200 volunteers coming each week. The horses are happy and enjoying the cooler weather! The leaves have started to change, and we look forward to lots of comfortable riding in the outdoor arena and on the trails. The longer breaks between classes and smaller class size will give the staff more time to talk with participants, caregivers, and volunteers. We look forward to learning more about all of you and enriching your sessions each time you are here. Our priority is to ensure the safety of everyone as we journey through this together. Please let us know if you have any concerns or suggestions to improve your experience. Be well...and Happy Trails!
Kitty
Casey riding Rolex
Awards Paul Burkarth Rider of the Year Award
Patrick Moreno Sportsmanship Award
Casey
Josh
This award was established in memory of Paul Burkarth in 1985 and is presented annually to the rider who has shown the most progress over the past year. In Casey’s three years at High Hopes, she has grown in leaps and bounds. In the last year specifically, Casey developed skills towards riding off lead during her lesson. She is able to effectively communicate with her horse in order to navigate safe spacing within the arena while riding with her peers, steer around or over a variety of different obstacles, and execute upward and downward transitions. Casey is eager to challenge herself which can be seen through her increased self-awareness and self-confidence. She often times supports her peers with thoughtful words of encouragement. With Casey’s positive, can-do attitude and her willingness to try (even when she knows it will be a challenge), she has progressed immensely. Despite her significant successes this year, Casey continues to challenge herself to become a more independent equestrian.
“
With Casey’s positive, can-
do attitude and her willingness to try (even when she knows it will be a challenge) she has progressed immensely.
”
— Sarah Miller, Casey’s instructor
This award was established by Sis Gould in 1993 in memory of Patrick Moreno. When Patrick was no longer able to ride, Sis initiated carriage driving at High Hopes, specifically for Patrick, by importing a carriage from England which could accommodate his wheelchair. This annual award is given to the rider who shows outstanding sportsmanship, consideration of others, and encouragement to his or her fellow riders, exemplifying Patrick’s way of helping others and never giving in to adversity. Eager, inquisitive, willing and kind – those are the words that most accurately represent the recipient of this year’s Patrick Moreno Sportsmanship Award. Josh was selected because he consistently demonstrates a positive and supportive attitude towards his horse and the other riders in his class. While Josh is an independent rider at both the walk and trot, his desire to learn and ability to ask questions during every aspect of the lesson make him a true inspiration. His questions often prompt the rest of us to look things up as “homework” for the next week’s discussion. During our recent hiatus amidst the pandemic, Josh and his classmates were adamant about continuing to meet virtually. Josh and his mom, Lucy (who is an educator), helped to create games to test our knowledge and keep us in friendly competition with one another. It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge Josh’s good nature and earnest quest for knowledge in this award. As the award’s namesake, Patrick Moreno was truly invested in the wellbeing of his horse and all involved in his sessions, so too is Josh an advocate for horsemanship and continuous learning.
Volunteer Awards Sally H. Aubrey Award
Nancy Cash Program Volunteer of the Year
Michael
Diane
In 1998, Stever Aubrey established this award in honor of his wife, Sally. It is given to someone selected by the board and staff who exemplifies the true spirit of High Hopes through commitment, dedication, and compassion. With this award, Stever donated his artisan’s work of a remarkable bronze sculpture of a mare and foal that is still displayed in our entrance way. A smaller bronze casting of the sculpture is given as a perpetual award each year to the recipient. This year’s recipient of the Sally Aubrey Award, Michael Fanelli, is representative of its true intention. Like Sally, Michael understands the value High Hopes has to each participant. Not only through his many years of dedicated volunteerism creating over fifteen years of Annual Reports and many years of Appeals, but also through his firsthand knowledge as a parent of a participant. In his many years working on our behalf to create beautiful brochures and reports, Michael has never turned down a request for help. His kindness and his willingness to listen and produce whatever we need has been an incredible gift to High Hopes. In addition to his production skills, Michael is a talented photographer. He has captured the work of High Hopes through the decades. Be it the herd at sunset, a class heading off across the field, or staff headshots, he breathes life into each picture. Thank you, Michael, for the gifts you bring to High Hopes as a volunteer!
This award, established in 2006, is given to a person who, like Nancy, was dedicated and dependable, always willing to “go the extra mile” and willing to make her volunteerism at High Hopes a priority in her life. Dedicated to Nancy, it honors another volunteer who shares her positive attitude and her unwavering commitment to helping our riders achieve their personal best. Diane Fahey has been a volunteer in our lesson program for almost 4 years and has contributed over 700 hours of service. She always has a smile on her face! She not only loves to see her riders succeed, but also the horses that she works with. Diane is fun to have in lessons because she is game for whatever you throw at her.
“
I always call High Hopes my happy place... I honestly feel like I get a lot more from
the volunteer experience than I give. I love being part of a team that is so passionate
and supportive supportive and completely
”
committed to helping their riders. — Diane Fahey, volunteer
Office Volunteer of the Year
Barn/Facility Volunteer of the Year
Ann
Jason Office volunteers are just as important to High Hopes as the Program Volunteers. They are the individuals who assist in the Program and Development offices and at the front desk. This award celebrates their quiet contributions, which helps to keep our operations running smoothly.
Ann Gaulin goes above and beyond at the reception desk… independently handling phone calls, fulfilling staff projects, in addition to volunteering at the Holiday Market selling High Hopes logo merchandise. Although Ann has only been volunteering since September 2019, she has already contributed 65 volunteer hours. Ann’s grandson, Cole, is a participant, and Ann is responsible for bringing Cole to his weekly lessons. Ann also participates in the Adopt-A-Horse program.
This award is given to an outstanding volunteer on our Barn, Feeding, or Facility Team. No job is to big (or dirty) for them to tackle, and their support keeps our horses happy and healthy and our facility looking beautiful Jason Mego has volunteered at High Hopes since July 2016, donating over 300 hours. In that time, he has been indispensable on the Monday morning feeding team. Jason has a positive and energetic outlook that is contagious to all who are around him and makes quick friends with volunteers old and new. He has helped to train countless new team members, and everyone is happy to have worked with him. He is perfectly willing to do any job that needs to be done, in all types of weather – all with a smile. Jason travels over 30 minutes from his home to volunteer with us, and we are sure glad he does!
Special Volunteer Award – “All Around”
Davison Youth Service Award
Margo
Kaitlyn
This year High Hopes wants to recognize a volunteer who has only been supporting our program for a short period of time, but who has had a major impact. Margo Packer has volunteered over 300 hours in the year and a half she has been with us at High Hopes. She is always willing to help out and has been an asset in her volunteering in multiple areas- from program, to summer camp, to events, to helping with arena curriculum, to office assistance-- Margo is willing to do it all. Her kind and gentle demeanor is welcomed as she sidewalks with our school groups – her first true love of volunteering at High Hopes.
This award is only given periodically to an outstanding representative of our young volunteers who goes above and beyond in service to the participants, horses, and staff. This volunteer shows excellent leadership skills, contributes many hours, is willing to help in any way, and has longevity with the organization. Kaitlyn Ward has been volunteering in both our lesson program and summer camps and has contributed over 100 hours of service in the year that she has been volunteering. She is always willing to pitch in and help, whether it be in the barn or as a (sometimes last minute) sub. Her happy, positive demeanor and flexibility in volunteering is appreciated by all who work with her.
Event Award (New Award – 2020)
Lytt Gould Leadership Award
Barbara and Robin
Jane and Keith
This new award has been established to recognize the volunteer(s) who have made significant contributions to High Hopes’ sustainability through event fundraising. Our events are recognized for their excellence, and the revenue they generate accounts for over 20% of High Hopes’ annual operating budget. Additionally, our events serve as a powerful opportunity to attract new supporters and leadership at High Hopes.
The Lytt Gould Leadership Award is given by the High Hopes Board of Trustees annually to a person, or persons, who demonstrates leadership, vision and commitment to the sustainability and growth of High Hopes. Through their actions, words and deeds they place High Hopes at the forefront of their philanthropic organizations.
Barbara Willkens and Robin Schonberger have served in numerous volunteer roles at High Hopes including Board trustees, June gala event and auction chairs, and Holiday Market volunteers. Their commitment and effectiveness as auction chairs have been unprecedented. Under their leadership, the June Gala auction has been record breaking each consecutive year. They work tirelessly from January to June to prepare for the 100+ auction items being offered at the June Gala. This year with the COVID-19 pandemic, the difficult decision was made to reschedule the Big Barn Bash in June to a virtual event in May. Recognizing the immediate need for operating revenue, Barbara and Robin quickly pivoted to holding a virtual auction in May. During Barbara and Robin’s leadership, both ladies have endured personal challenges; however, their commitment to High Hopes never wavered – testament to their strong character and selflessness.
Jane and Keith Bolles came to High Hopes in 1995 when they were looking for an activity that would be both fun and provide physical and emotional therapy for their daughter, Lindsey. Learning how to ride and being around horses became a lifelong passion of Lindsey’s, and she is still an active High Hopes participant today. Luckily for High Hopes, Lindsey’s passion brought her parents into the fold as active volunteers, Board members, corporate sponsors, gala event chairs, and as generous personal donors. Keith and Jane have demonstrated their abiding belief in the High Hopes mission with generous support to our Endowment and Capital Campaigns, the Annual Giving Program, and as members of our Legacy Society. Jane and Keith have provided generous funding through their business, Saybrook Home, acting as corporate sponsors for High Hopes events, donating enticing auction items, and each year nominating High Hopes to be the beneficiary of a popular store promotion with Stressless Chair. Last, but certainly not least, Jane and Keith are strong parent advocates, not just for Lindsey, but for all the children, young adults, and their families who come to High Hopes seeking hope for a better and more fulfilling future.
High Hopes Horse of the Year Al This year, we have selected “Big” Al to receive the Horse of the Year Award. Big things come in small packages is a true statement when it comes to this big-hearted horse… or Miniature Horse to be exact. Standing at 9.1 hands, this 24-year-old has been with High Hopes since 2004. Through the many years, Al has brought smiles and giggles to countless people. As a driving horse, he has allowed many participants to trot though the fields and around the arena with speed and dexterity. Al is a joy to watch and work with. We are so very fortunate to have him in the herd and to be able to share his talents with so many. Thank you, Al, for your many years of service!
Al
Horse of the Year
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