High Hopes Magazine Winter 2023

HIGHHOPES Magazine Winter 2023

Please enjoy this inaugural issue of the HIGH HOPES magazine. It may seem familiar to you and it should – we’ve rebranded the RIDER magazine into this new publication that embraces the High Hopes mission. Lives are changed through our equine-assisted services and not just through mounted sessions. Any form of interaction between horses and humans improve lives and contributes to One Health. At High Hopes the health of people is connected to the health of animals and our environment. The lives of each participant, their families, volunteers, and staff are improved daily through interaction with the horses, the outdoors, and each other.

In every issue of the HIGH HOPES magazine, you’ll enjoy wonderful stories of Impact – focused on One Health and the health of animals, people and the environment. You’ll be inspired by Profiles of dedicated volunteers and donors. You’ll know you are part of a special Community, reading stories of how we are connecting as civic-minded neighbors. And we’ll provide philanthropic Solutions to support your needs and intentions as donors.

I joined High Hopes in May 2022 as the new Development Director. After an early career in tax planning and public accounting, I enjoyed nearly 30 years in higher education fundraising. Mission matters and at High Hopes, I’m inspired every day. As an equestrian, I am thrilled to school Warrior and watch our talented instructors and dedicated volunteers in the ring. As a development officer, I am here for you. My role is to listen. To learn what is important to you and how High Hopes can find that special intersection of your interests and our priorities. And then make your giving experience seamless and deeply positive. I hope you find philanthropic inspiration in each issue.

Thank you for the gracious welcome into the High Hopes family. I am honored to be a part of such an incredible organization.

{HIGHHOPES Magazine} Winter 2023

Welcome

2

Claire High Hopes tranquility in winter On the Cover: Riding a horse gives Andrew a freedom of movement that he isn’t able to experience in his day to day life.

Community

When your invitation arrives in the mail, you know it’s going to be a memorable event at High Hopes! The indoor arena is full of neighbors and friends for the Holiday Market and the June Benefit and you realize we live and work in a pretty special locale. The last two years have changed the way most of us go about our daily lives. Because of this change, we decided it was the perfect time to launch a High Hopes Partners program.

Community Partners is a year-round partnership that reinforces our unwavering appreciation for local and regional businesses and is intended to engage businesses in deeper and more meaningful ways. The program offers distinct engagement opportunities that meet both the priorities of High Hopes and your com pany’s specific interests. We are excited to offer many opportunities for engagement, connection, and educa tion.

For those businesses that wish to continue sponsoring a special event such as the Holiday Market, Horse Show

Please join us in welcoming Essence Center for Beauty and Wellness in Old Saybrook as the inaugural Community Partner! Thank you to this widely loved local business for their partnership.

HIGH HOPES COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Days or the June Benefit, that corporate support is welcome and will be honored. Have you been attending the June benefit forever and a day? Well, the longevity of your relationship with High Hopes will be reflected in the partnership offerings.

Local businesses are vital partners and ensure we can deliver on our mission. To recognize and celebrate a business that has provided exceptional support and commitment to the High Hopes mission, an annual Distinguished Community Partner award will be celebrated.

If you are interested in building a deeper relationship with High Hopes, please call Claire Gadrow, Development Director, at (860) 434-1974 x122 or cgadrow@highhopestr.org.

Upcoming Events:

May 20 - 26: Horse Show Days

June 10: Bonds of Strength at the Big Barn Bash

Highhopestr.org

3

Impact...

Arica joined our Veterans Program in the Summer of 2022 after moving to Connecticut with her family from Washington DC amidst COVID. After serving three years in the Army as a Unit Supply Specialist, Arica was excited for the opportunity to explore her fascination with horses hands on. Though she had minimal prior equine experience, her enthusiasm to learn from and with the horses was immediately apparent. On day one of the program, Arica became teary eyed and shared that as a Veteran and mom of a four-year-old, she so rarely gets to do things for herself – especially activities that present the chance to feel such a deep connection. As she explored her assigned horse, Candy, spectators were impressed with how readily she connected and found Candy’s itchiest spots. After participating in several Veteran specific opportunities, Arica shared “the encouragement, patience, and confidence staff showed, [it] allowed us to believe in our capabilities... High Hopes provided the safe, fun, nurturing space I needed. As Veterans return home, it can be difficult to find meaningful opportunities to

...on Animals

By Holly Sundmacker, Equine Operations Director

...on People

By Chelsea Bourn, Program Director

develop and connect. But programs like this offer an incredible step in the right direction.”

Traditional husbandry of the horse includes all the basics of good care: well fed, well-groomed in a clean barn with all their healthcare needs met. Happily, horsekeeping has evolved. While the longestablished pillars of quality horse care have not been cast aside – the idea that horses are tools to be used has.

Their list of needs is not all that different from ours. Physiological needs that include good health care, quality food and a hygienic environment are the basis. But beyond that, they need safety through a sense of normalcy and regularity, free from physical and psychological roughness. They have social needs as well: a sense of belonging and a consistent social network of buddies and leaders to count on. Esteem and self-actualization are the highest on the list. They are what we most aspire to enable for our horses. To be valued and to know their value. To know love and give love.

They are our partners. Our share of that partnership is to ensure that they are seen, heard, and understood. This is caring for the Whole Horse.

{HIGHHOPES Magazine} Winter 2023

4

Arica and Candy Arthur

High Hopes

positively impacts the environment by fostering a positive relationship between members of the community and the shared world around us. We do this in our weekly programming by encouraging participants and volunteers to engage with nature and appreciate the magic of our outdoor spaces here, and by partnering with local nature organizations,

...on Environment

By Lily Bensko, Instructor

to bring their wealth of knowledge to High Hopes. This summer, during Horse Sense summer camp, High Hopes partnered with the Roger Tory Petersen Estuary - Connecticut Audubon Society to offer participants the opportunity to learn more about their natural environment, right here on the farm. After a week of exploring and connecting with the

natural spaces here, the children were able to use binoculars to look for wildlife in the pond, thermometers to explore soil temperatures, and anemometers to measure wind speed. One child even shared that he now wants to be a scientist when he grows up! By encouraging people to connect with the earth, we encourage them to care for it. Anyone who is afforded the

opportunity to connect with nature will develop a passion to protect it, and High Hopes offers that opportunity to the community. People say that the best time to plant a tree was 50 years ago, and the second-best time is today. This applies to conservation in any form: High Hopes is fostering a relationship to nature that will encourage its protection in the generations to come.

The relationship between horses and humans is the heart of our purpose, but it goes much deeper. Our One Health approach recognizes that the heath of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. This philosophy goes hand in hand with our mission and creates new opportunities to better serve our participants, horses, farm, and beyond.

Highhopestr.org

5

Flock of gesse resting on Hartman Pond

Profiles

Why I Give

By Sandy Mulligan

Sandy’s dedication and commitment to High Hopes is inspirational. A donor since 1991, she’s always been willing to support our greatest needs. Sandy is also an active member of our dedicated volunteer corps that changes lives. As she reflects on her relationship with High Hopes, her joy for the simple act of giving back is evident. Thank you, Sandy, for being such a thoughtful and generous steward of our mission!

My husband and I started our relationship with High Hopes by attending fundraisers like Symphony in the Meadows. A lovely evening outdoors on a beautiful property in Lyme. Guests would relax with boxed lunches on the lawn and enjoy the music. It was Jonathan Islieb who first invited us to the concerts, and our relationship with High Hopes began.

Several years later I began volunteering as a sidewalker. Once I started sidewalking, I found it to be a joyful experience helping the children who were in my group. And it’s not just me. All the volunteers express the same feeling - it starts when we arrive at High Hopes, leave our cars, walk towards the barn and overlook the beautiful pasture.

As a donor, I feel very fortunate to be able to help High Hopes pursue their goals. I’ve seen children improve in different ways - not just in their riding but their confidence, a feeling of belonging and friendship. You have to remember that in some cases the children have

Solutions

If you are aged 70 ½ or older, you may benefit from gifting some or all of your required minimum distribution from your IRA to High Hopes. This is known as the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) and popularly called the Charitable IRA Rollover. Any

never seen a horse this close. They might not even want to touch a horse - yet in two or three weeks they are happily riding.

At the end of the season, during Horse Show Days, their parents are invited. When ribbons and praise are offered to the riders from the staff, it’s so very moving to watch tears of joy on the parent’s faces - seeing their child happily ride with confidence.

In order to keep High Hopes providing these experiences, I also donated to the endowment fund. It is not just helping the children; it’s making a difference in families. Certainly, a win-win for us all. It was important to both my husband and myself to include High Hopes in our estate planning.

One of the reasons I give to High Hopes is because I can see immediate and fulfilling results.

I feel comfortable in my choice making High Hopes a priority. The organization is beautifully run, feels like a family, everyone cares, and it’s so important to me and worth my philanthropy.

qualified contribution up to $100,000 counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD). Your spouse may also make a qualified charitable distribution up to $100,000. What is the tax benefit?

Under current law, every IRA account holder must withdraw a required minimum distribution (RMD) annually beginning at age 73.  The RMD is treated

{HIGHHOPES Magazine} Winter 2023

6

Sandy and Stanley

I started volunteering at High Hopes after retiring from a college program in Mystic. I’d served on committees, Boards and in schools, but not anywhere like High Hopes.

I had ridden for years in my youth and thought it would be fun; it was a way to get my “horse fix” and be outdoors too. After orientation I decided the best way to get to know the horses was to feed and work in the barn. For several years I arrived every Tuesday morning before 8:00 AM and fed. It was wonderful to be outside and be around horses. I got to know the herd, and some very dedicated volunteers and staff.

After feeding we would move into the barn and fill feed bags, sweep, or clean stalls or paddocks- really any tasks the barn staff needed. In winter, we would come inside and take a tea break and defrost. In the heat of summer, we would cool off in the AC before going back out. The staff would offer classes on how to clean tack, the anatomy of a horse, horse health -- many topics. That was another way to meet other volunteers.

A few years later I began working in Program. I really enjoyed working in the program. I was learning from the instructors and seeing the progress the students made. It was so rewarding to be a part of their

as ordinary income for tax purposes.  A qualified charitable distribution counts toward your required minimum distribution.

You do not receive a tax deduction for a QCD from a regular IRA; the transfer is not recognized as taxable income. Because a QCD reduces income and is not an itemized deduction, the gift benefits even those donors who do not itemize.

Why I Volunteer

By Sarah Hill Canning

Sarah has volunteered at High Hopes since 2003. She has served on the Board since 2007, on various Board committees and is presently Chair of the Governance Committee. Sarah lives in Stonington.

successes. I met some wonderful participants.

Lauren Fitzgerald asked a group of us if we would like to train to carriage drive with participants. High Hopes needed more drivers for the program. There were three or four of us who came each week to drive with Lauren for more than a year. What an opportunity! It has been so much fun.

Why do I volunteer? Certainly, I was brought up volunteering. But when I started those many years ago at High Hopes, I had no idea what a profound experience it would be and how much it would mean to me - in my core. I have met wonderful people. I have seen things happen here that I could not see anywhere else. I have witnessed both horses and instructors connect with participants in ways no one else seems to be able to connect. Volunteering at High Hopes has helped me through difficult times. It is rewarding and fun and sometimes very poignant to be a part of bringing joy or calm, accomplishment or a bit of selfesteem to a participant.

I have often said as I leave for the day, that I get more from volunteering than I could possibly ever give. It is the truth.

For info on how you can volunteer please visit highhopestr.org

If this gift sounds like a good fit and you’d like to explore this option, please contact Claire Gadrow, Development Director, cgadrow@highhopestr.org 860-434-1974, ext. 122.

Highhopestr.org

7

93 percentage of our workforce that are volunteers