Millers Provide Matching Donations for Magical Meadows
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Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller aren’t fans of having their names in the newspaper.
While their foundation provides funding to many programs and causes in Kosciusko County, the couple prefer to stay out of the spotlight.
So when the two step out to support a program like The Magical Meadows, it’s because the cause is near and dear to their hearts.
The two were at the therapeutic horseback riding facility Wednesday afternoon to formally announce that the Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation was going to provide a matching grant for The Magical Meadows building campaign.
The campaign is looking to bring in $60,000. Once that number is met, the foundation will give $60,000.
At an August Chamber of Commerce event, the building campaign was announced.
With land down the trail from its location at 4767 N. CR 375E, The Magical Meadows is looking to build an indoor riding area along with an activities area for its special needs members who vary in age from young to old.
The Millers met with volunteers and The Magical Meadows rider of the year, Skylar Payton.
The Millers don’t have much background with special needs children or horseback riding.
“I rode a horse once at the fair,” quipped Dr. Miller.
For the Millers, their connection with Magical Meadows started three years ago.
They were drawn to what the program can do.
Payton couldn’t hold her head up before she started and now The Magical Meadows Director Tammy Stackhouse walks at Payton’s side as she rides.
“For so many of these kids, this is all they have to look forward to beside being with their family or in physical therapy,” Stackhouse said.
Currently, riders can only ride until Nov. 19.
At that point the calls roll in.
“They struggle with not being able to ride,” said Stackhouse, who runs the facility with her husband Larry.
The Magical Meadows even holds events like “Deck The Stalls” during the winter to allow kids to see the horses.
For some children in the program while providing physical therapeutic help, it also provides a social aspect.
That isn’t the case for Payton, who her parents say “has never met a stranger.”
“This program helps so many people with special needs,” said Dr. Miller. “And we want to give them all the help we can.”
“Our hope some three decades ago was that Biomet would be successful and we could give back to the community,” said Dr. Miller. “Not just build a big portfolio in the stock market. But give back to our community.”
The Millers said that if putting their names and faces on the Magical Meadows building project helps, then so be it.
For more information on The Magical Meadows or to donate, call 574-265-3085 or visit www.themagicalmeadows.org
