Riding To The Top volunteer Stacie Hamilton feeds Luke, an RTT horse, a treat. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
COVID-19 did not stop Riding To The Top from
celebrating the contributions of its mighty volunteer team.
Originally, RTT planned to hold a large barbeque on
the shores of Sebago Lake, but this year’s celebration was configured into a
smaller “curbside” event at the farm. On Tuesday, June 23, RTT staffers
gathered (physically distanced of course!), decorated and rallied to show
appreciation for the Center’s 160-plus volunteers.
In 2019 alone, volunteers at
Riding To The Top contributed more than 11,000 hours in service valued at over $254,320.
Volunteers at RTT work in the barn, in lessons with clients, exercise
horses, repair and maintain the facilities and help with trail improvements.
Volunteers also serve on the Board of Directors, on committees and work at
fundraising events.
Executive Director, Sarah Bronson
said that “RTT volunteers have been an integral part of the organization since
it was founded by volunteers in 1993 and they continue to be the heart of the
organization.”
She said that volunteers save the
organization hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
“While we missed gathering for our
larger celebration this year, we were glad to have been able to thank and
recognize the people who did so much for RTT last year,” said Volunteer
Coordinator Nick Doria.
This year, 27 RTT
volunteers received The President’s Volunteer Service Award:
Bronze Level Awardees
(Adults 100 to 249 hours/Young Adults 100 to 174 hours): Christine Blackadar, Jo
Blinick, Early Bonney, Gradeigh Cameron, Janis Childs, Susan Courson, Cindy
Elder, Barbara Foster, Trish Friant, Stacie Hamilton Waldron, Margi Huber,
Cathy Kelso, Fran Maxwell, Nancy Robinson and Laura Rochette.
Silver Level Awardees
(Adults 250 to 499 hours/Young Adults 175 to 249 hours):
Mark Fuller, Julia Hamilton, Sarah Miller, Jodi
Peasley, Clayton Peters, Ashley Reed, Bryony Urquhart and Liz
Wood.
Gold Level Awardees (Adults 500 or more hours/Young
Adults 250 or more hours): Lina Jordan, Dan Morabito, Pat Niboli and Patty
Shaw.
In addition, special recognition of outstanding
service to RTT included: Stacie Hamilton Waldron (Volunteer of the Year);
Ashley Reed and Lilly Towle (Youth/Young Adult Volunteers of the Year); Melissa
and Eric Prime (Administrative Volunteers of the Year); Susan Layton (Lesson
Rookie of the Year Award); Jack DiPaola (Barn Rookie of the Year Award); Trina
Bellavance (Volunteer Schooler Award) and Maureen Mathieu (Barn Volunteer of
the Year).
RTT also recognized the following for outstanding
contributions:
- Under
The Covers Band: (Volunteer
Group of the Year )
- Windham
Knights of Columbus: (Volunteer Civic Group of the Year)
- Headlight
Audio-Visual: (Corporate Partner of the Year)
Riding To
The Top Therapeutic Riding Center was founded in 1993 and its mission is enhancing health and wellness through
equine assisted activities and therapies. Located in Windham, RTT is the
state’s only year-round PATH International Premier Accredited Center solely
dedicated to Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies.
More than
250 clients visit annually, assisted by certified instructors, a herd of 16
horses and over 160 volunteers, all specially trained to assist with therapeutic
riding, equine assisted learning, carriage driving and hippotherapy. Riding To
The Top is a community-based nonprofit, receives no federal or state funding
and provides financial aid to more than 60 percent of its clients.
For more
information about client services, volunteering, or making a gift, please visit
us at www.ridingtothetop.org or call 207-892-2813. <
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