The Legacy of Helen Gordon
Helen Gordon with former Volunteer Coordinator, Carol Ferris at the 2006 Horse Show.
Through the years there have been people who have been pivotal in Mane Stream’s history; those who have believed so strongly in our mission and programs that worked tirelessly to ensure Mane Stream’s success. Helen Gordon was one of those people. A lifelong equestrian and community philanthropist, Helen Gordon joined Mane Stream’s [then Somerset Hills Handicapped Riders Club] Board of Directors in 1991 and served until 2008, for many of those years she was President of the Board. Helen’s dedication to Mane Stream and her important role is revealed by memories of friends who knew her.
Octavia Brown, Mane Stream’s founder, suggested Helen join the Board of Directors, “Helen joined the Board of SHHRC when it was still at my farm in Bedminster. She was a very active member of the local community, serving on the Board of what was then the U.S. Equestrian Team. Helen hunted with the Essex Fox Hunt and knew everyone in the equestrian community locally and nationally on a first name basis. She traveled often to international [equestrian] events in Europe and the USA.”
Another good friend of Helen’s was Sheila Tweedie, "Helen Gordon was an absolute class act. She was an ardent supporter of the program and brought many of her friends along to support Mane Stream over the years. I served on other Boards locally with her and she never missed an opportunity to promote the program to other groups. She was a good friend, always ready with sage and sensible advice and I miss her."
Helen speaking at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Helen came to the Mane Stream Board with a lot of community-based fundraising experience and she knew how a non-profit Board should run. It was said that when Helen walked into a room, and the conversation was about a local nonprofit’s financial need, people just got out their checkbooks before Helen could make a formal ask. According to Octavia, “She also made sure that any special event had lots of local people on the committee who would support it nicely.”
Octavia also shared, “Helen and I teamed up to find a new home for SHHRC [Mane Stream], raise funds to purchase the property, and then, as I was moving on to Centenary University, Helen led the capital campaign to build the new center. When Helen believed in a cause, she gave it her whole attention and energy and it is safe to say Mane Stream would not have the facility it has today without her efforts.” It is true that Helen was the driving force behind locating the property and raising the money to build the building that is Mane Stream’s home today.
Jill Thomas, a former Board Member and volunteer remembers, “Helen had a sweet smile and was always kind and generous with her words. She would always be firm in her suggestions, which were right on, as well as being a very knowledgeable horsewoman. When Helen had hip surgery several years ago she continued to ride her beloved Nelson. Quite a strong and admired woman by all.”
Helen retired from the Mane Stream Board after 17 years and relocated to Connecticut. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 93. She was mourned by many from the equestrian community as well as close friends from Mane Stream. When Helen believed in a cause, she gave it her whole attention and energy and Mane Stream is certainly the beneficiary of her efforts. As her final generous fundraising effort for Mane Stream, Helen left us a generous bequest in her will. Almost every year Mane Stream receives funds from bequests made by former volunteers and community members. These gifts are often a wonderful surprise for us and make a positive impact on all of our programs and participants.
