EQUUS XXIX a smashing success!
Despite the cool and slightly damp fall weather, 180 excited guests gathered under the tent at the gorgeous Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone on Saturday, October 23rd to celebrate Mane Stream and our community. Guests at our first in-person event since 2019, had a fabulous time bidding on silent and live auction items, learning about Mane Stream’s programs through participant stories, and dancing well into the night. Everyone was extremely generous with their support, including a surprise major gift from an anonymous donor and we were able to surpass our financial goals for the event.
Planning for Equus began 9 months ago when event chair, Sarah Gore, chose EMBRACE as the theme. “What I envision is the space filled with larger than life sized black and white images of the Mane Stream community (riders, therapy clients, volunteers, and staff). After a year spent attending Board Meetings via Zoom staring at the large photograph behind Executive Director, Trish Hegeman, I realized how that image of a boy standing face to face with his horse had become a symbol of the Mane Stream community to me. He reminds me of the importance of the mission and my position as a board member. In addition to the atmosphere created by the images, I chose the color orange specifically for the meaning of optimism and positivity and the ability for the color to uplift. That’s exactly what Mane Stream means to all who are lucky enough to experience what happens on the farm.”
All these elements certainly had something to do with the success of the event but it’s really the sponsors and the guests who gathered together for a cause. Throughout the evening, the bidding was fierce and at least one person ended up bidding against themselves due to all the excitement! As the biggest fundraising event of the year, Mane Stream relies on the generous giving of the EQUUS party goers to raise enough funds to support the many programs offered including adaptive riding, therapy services (OT, PT, and Speech-Language) and summer camp. This year’s generosity extended beyond the tent as numerous supporters bid on silent auction items from the comfort of their own home. We look forward to this type of support continuing in the future even after the pandemic has receded. Since everyone is now comfortable with logging on to participate, not being able to attend an event is no longer a barrier to supporting your local non-profit organization.
The highlight of the evening was when Joyce Andreski and husband John shared the heartfelt story of their life with daughter, Stella. A different life than they had expected when they learned they were pregnant but how special it has become and how absolutely meaningful finding Mane Stream has been for every member of the family. This includes Joey (their son) who attends summer camp along with Stella. Joyce ended her speech with a descriptive story that really hit home for everyone in attendance… Welcome to Holland - By Emily Perl Kingsley (it’s worth the read - seriously!) With everyone drying their eyes the Andreskis ended their presentation with a self-produced video of the family which highlights how “every day at Mane Stream is SUPER SPECIAL, not to mention a joyous place with the filling of being one big family. You just can’t help but get hooked.”
Thank you to everyone who attended this special event and an extra-special thank you to everyone who raised their paddle for “Adam Friedland’s Helping Hands” pyramid. Funds raised through the pyramid go directly to support participants in all of our programs, our wonderful horses and talented staff. Thank you to Charles Antin, our auctioneer, for giving everyone in tent a chance to be generous.
Thank you to everyone who gave generously this year especially our Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors
Sarah Gore & Chris Cox, Kathy & Hal Kamine, Kirk Kellogg & Emily Maillet, Red Tail Farm
Gold Sponsors
The Greifeld Family Foundation, Hawk Pointe Golf Club, Karen & Steve Kaufhold, Betsy & Stan Parman, Elizabeth & Jonathan Sobel
Silver Sponsors
Frazier Industrial Company, Jeanne Rogalin - Midtown-Direct Properties,
Seal-Spout Corporation, Kevin & Betsy Sullivan
Bronze Sponsors
Maureen & Steve Bezer, Deborah & Robert Brucker, Linda & Steve Fischer, Gus and Bucky's Car Washes, Linda & Steve Fischer, Nikki & Philip Marks, Merck Animal Health, Michael & Melissa Renfer, Stephen & Adriana Silver, Catherine Weinstock & Gia Esposito
ADDITIONAL THANK YOUS
EQUUS COMMITTEE
Sarah Gore - Event Chair Beliz Crook - Committee Chair
Laura Brucker, Erin Chesson, Jill Dolan, Beth Durden, Laura Edelson, Gia Esposito, Erika Green, Karen Kaufhold, Diana Levy, Emily Maillet, Nancy McCaffrey, Jamie Murphy, Betsy Parman, Jeanne Rogalin, Marianne Saladino, Kristen Sameth, Merina Schweiger, Liz Sobel, Kim Turiansky, Beth Vartuli, Rael Welsh
VOLUNTEERS
Ryan Bunting, Juliet Dermody, Laura Edelson, Nancy Grossweiller, Cate Hegeman, Justin Hendrickson, Kerry Scholz, Gina Taylor, J.KimPhotographyNYC
ARE YOU READY FOR THE SPRING EVENT?
Save the date for the casual bash called Boots on Bourbon Street 2.0
Saturday, May 21st 2022 to be held at an off-site location
