During a Business After Hours event Tuesday, Magical Meadows’ Tammy Stackhouse announced it was the first day for the therapeutic riding center’s building campaign.
Magical Meadows is looking for $60,000 from donors. At $100 and up, donors will be recognized in different ways once the indoor riding arena and activity building are complete.
The campaign runs through Dec. 31, though Stackhouse hoped they could reach their goal before then.
Magical Meadows is already in talks with builders and has already received donations of time and materials for parts of the project.
Stackhouse said she always welcomes volunteers, whether for the building campaign or for helping with riders.
“We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers,” said Stackhouse, who said her volunteers are age 14 and up.
Magical Meadows' goal is to help children and adults with special needs.
Stackhouse doesn’t claim that it takes the place of physical therapy but she has seen what horseback riding can do for all her riders.
Riders range in age from 2 to 88.
Around 50 people at different points of the event Tuesday were on hand to tour Magical Meadows, talk with riders and their families and ask Stackhouse questions.
Magical Meadows board of directors leased 10 acres of land near the entrance of the facility and the Stackhouses’ home on CR 375E.
Pastor Carl Adams serves on the board and said that he has seen the impact Magical Meadows has had on the riders that go there.
“They get in the car at noon when they are scheduled for a 2 p.m. ride,” said Adams. “That’s how excited they get about this place.”
With $60,000 from the community, Magical Meadows, a 501c3 non-profit organization, can then get a matching donation of $60,000 from a donor to be announced at a later date.
Currently, eager volunteers and riders will brave less than stellar conditions to get out on horses. But without an indoor facility there are times riders simply can get out.
“This might be the only benefit they might get,” said Tammy Stackhouse.
The activites building will include a library and computer lab.
“It’s a place they can socialize,” said Stackhouse. “It’s a place where they can be themselves.”
Stackhouse said when the building campaign concludes she hopes to have shovels in the ground by the spring 2012 with hopes of having both buildings up in a month.
For more information on how to donate, volunteer or get more infromation, visit www.themagicalmeadows.com or call 574-265-3085.
