The importance of The Magical Meadows was reiterated during its Rise Up event Saturday.
Rise Up is The Magical Meadow’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
A video was also shown about the benefits Owen Siebeneck, a participant, has seen since attending Magical Meadows.
Mother Susie Siebeneck said Owen was diagnosed at about 1-1/2 years old with a genetic disorder. He has poor muscle tone and lacks core strength.
Father Tony Siebeneck said Owen’s disorder is rare. Tony and Susie realized they needed to find a different solution for Owen.
“We knew we could be doing more, something we knew he could be getting more out of,” Susie said.
Tony said since Owen starting going to Magical Meadows, Owen’s core strength has improved and it has helped his balance and hand-eye coordination. Susie said going to Magical Meadows has helped Owen in obtaining his physical and occupational therapy goals. It has also helped Owen in picking up words.
The first time Susie saw Owen on horse Gracie, she was so proud of him because Owen doesn’t let things get in his way. He’s a fighter “and I know he’s so brave.”
Owen has been happier and is proud he goes to Magical Meadows, Susie said.
Founder Tammy Stackhouse said it’s heartbreaking to hear about children who aren’t invited to things like to play basketball because of their differences. She said people don’t have that when they go to Magical Meadows.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith said last summer Stackhouse reached out to him to put out the word to first responders to have them come to Magical Meadows and he did so. Smith said he event went himself and got on a horse.
“And I gotta tell you, in our line of work, it’s easy to fall into this where we feel it’s just us some times, right? So when organizations reach out and offer their hand in partnership,” it means a lot in this time. “It’s not getting easier, it’s a tough profession,” Smith said. He said it was a very special gesture and he appreciated it.
Magical Meadows Executive Carl Adams said it was a great day when the first responders came out.
Stackhouse said there’s still so much more that is needed to be done for the special needs community.
Not only does Magical Meadows need to continue to serve veterans and first responders, it needs area for indoor soccer and basketball.
Stackhouse told attendees of plans for two additional buildings at Magical Meadows to serve the people who go to Magical Meadows in different ways.
During the event, Adams said there was a goal to raise $100,000. There were live and silent auctions. Before the live auction began, Adams said The Magical Meadows had already raised about $40,000.
Items auctioned off included a guitar signed by the Righteous Brothers and several of their CDs, a guitar signed by Adams, tennis racquets and a family membership to the Warsaw Racquet Club, a diamond pendant and four trees.
A donor made a $5,000 donation and the donor asked at least three others to match that donation. Three people matched the donation with another person making a $1,000 donation and two people making $250 donations.