A goal to raise $100,000 was surpassed at the Rise Up Event Thursday evening.
Rise Up is the annual fundraiser for The Magical Meadows to support its mission.
At the end of the evening, over $107,000 had been raised and the donations are still coming in and being accepted.
This amount will cover more than a quarter of the organization’s 2025 budget.
Following a video sharing comments from riders and their families, Executive Director Michael Kuhn noted he has heard a lot of “calming words and phrases” since becoming executive director just over six months ago. One of those words is family.

    Michael Kuhn, The Magical Meadows executive director, addresses over 200 guests. Photo by Deb Patterson, InkFreeNews
  

“It carries significant meaning,” he said, noting the definition when you think of the word family is blood relatives. “Family goes beyond blood and biology.
“Family isn’t about who shows up on Ancestry.com. It’s those who daily and on a weekly basis seek to live out the actions based on family.”
He spoke of Emmitt, who is one of the riders and who had been kicked out of every therapy program he participated in, except at The Magical Meadows. “Our family rallied around him, a placed called home.” They tried different methods and came up with a plan that works. “We treat people we serve like family.” He shared the difference in the young man when he returned this spring for classes.
He also shared the story of Matthew, a volunteer, who was going through a rough patch and wanted to bet back to his roots. A police officer who had worked with horses, Matthew works with the Warriors Mount-Up program. He has spent countless hours with the horses, riding, connecting with the staff and volunteers. “He disconnected with the stress of the job and reconnected with nature.”
Kuhn stated with the staff and volunteers, it is crucial, just as being a part of the family, to know it is a two-way street. “He showed up to help,” he said of Matthew. “We’ve seen him embraced and embodied the family spirit.”
He invited the 200-plus guests to join The Magical Meadows family. “You showed up for this, you can shop up for the people it serves, show up for the families in this …”
Another highlight of the evening was a testimony of the Jeremy and Allison Weirich family and what The Magical Meadows has done for their triplets — Adalie, Arwen and Asher, each with their own special needs. They noted the power of The Magical Meadows and the life-changing effects they have seen over the past three years.
“It’s nice to see they are loved and treated like everybody else,” said Allison Weirich. “The love they give all (children), not just my children. I’m excited for my kids to be involved for many years to come. The kids are excited to come back,” she stated.
They noted they are thankful their children will try new things and master skills. They have been astounded for what their children have learned and see the “joy and love for every student.”
Jeremy Weirich said he enjoys seeing his son, Asher, do things, getting the support he needs. “That means a lot to me.”
Tammy Stackhouse, founder, gave a history of The Magical Meadows, which started at her home and how it has grown over the past 19 years. “I never dreamed we would be where we are now,” she said.
She mentioned the help they have received from various organizations, how the facility grew from a few acres to over 40 acres so they can raise the hay needed instead of purchasing it; and a neighbor who, on his extra land, plants and bales hay for the facility.
“We hear time after time from people how they wished there were more opportunities for their children. We listen to the cries of parents who try to go into places to allow their kids to be kids and do things with other kids … they are not always welcome. … it’s hard to understand unless you know somebody.”
She talked about the future and the expansion announced last year — the addition of two new barns and the remodeling of the riding ring into a gymnasium.
She invited people to come out in the evening and see the sunset that allows a person to let down their guard. For those who need a place of quietness and stillness, to come out to the stables and watch the programs in place. She guarantees a person will leave in awe of what they see.
She noted the partnerships with Joe’s Kid’s, Cardinal Services and Bowen Center to become a beacon of hope.

    Asher Weirich, seated on the horse, shows what he has learned at The Magical Meadows. On the left is Jalynn, staff member; with Hanna, staff member leading the horse and Judy, a volunteer on the right. Photo by Deb Patterson, InkFreeNews
  

“We do amazing things,” Stackhouse said.
She concluded by stating The Magical Meadows recently received a significant grant from the K21 Health Foundation, and in December a lead donor gave a $300,000 matching challenge. She stated it doesn’t matter if it’s $5, $10 or more, “it all ads up.”
The riding arena, named Adams Arena, at The Magical Meadows was converted into a twinkling almost-ballroom area. White tablecloths and gold ribbon adorned the tables, with the rafters of the barn draped in white netting. Silent auction items were displayed on several tables at one end, with the bluegrass band Omnigrass playing just inside one of the large barn doors.
The evening included 98 items, which were sold through a silent or live auction, along with a Fund-A-Need paddle raise.
The total was announced at the end of the evening with Kuhn stating, “You showed the power of coming together as a family,” adding new events and happenings will be announced in the near future.
There were 34 local businesses and individuals sponsoring this year’s event, including Wildman, which served as the title sponsor.
The evening also included food and drinks from Farm House Events & Catering, a meet n’ greet with the horses and therapeutic horseback riding demonstrations.
“We continue to be in awe of the incredible generosity and support that this community shows our beloved organization and the people it serves,” said Kuhn, in a release on Friday. “The individuals with different abilities, at-risk youth, veterans and first-responders that we serve depend on our donors to help fund our life-changing programs. With their help, the future of The Magical Meadows is bright.”