50 People for 50 Years: Penelope Ayers
Penelope Ayers has been riding horses for close to six decades. She has been involved with the local equestrian community for nearly as long and has served on many other nonprofit boards as well. Lucky for Mane Stream, she found her way to us through her close friends and long-time Mane Stream Board member, Carmen Paterniti, and his wife Nan about 20 years ago. Carmen was one of the driving forces behind locating our current property and raising the funds necessary to build our farm and facilities.
In 2001, Penelope joined the Mane Stream Board and co-chaired our Equus Gala that same year. In addition, she was a donor to our capital campaign in 2000, creating the Odyssey Garden in front of our building. Penelope has always felt very connected to Mane Stream’s mission and worked hard to create memorable fundraisers during her three-year Board tenure. Working with Marianne Saladino on the 30th Anniversary Gala, which was hosted at Beval’s Saddlery as a shopping /cocktail party, Penelope remembers, “It was a very fun event but much smaller than this year’s 50th celebration will be.” Now one of Mane Stream’s Board of Directors Emeriti, Marianne Saladino recalls as well, “I chaired Equus X with Penelope Ayers at Bevel’s! Crazy that it was a tack shop. Of course, it was the most famous of all saddleries so that made it super special.”
About ten years after leaving the Board, Penelope donated her horse, Navajo, to the adaptive riding program. According to Penelope, “He was a darling horse and lived and worked at Mane Stream for several good years. When it was time for Navajo to retire, Mane Stream found him a wonderful home!” We totally agree with Penelope, Navajo was a sweetie and was loved by volunteers and riders alike! Mane Stream relies on generous community members who donate their beloved horses and ponies for our programs once they are ready for their next career. Without these donations, Mane Stream could not provide the vital services that the participants have come to rely on for the past 50 years.
Penelope went on to say, “I am so impressed with the care and love the organization gives to their horses and of course, with the amazing role these animals have in helping people with special needs.”
Once again Penelope is back at Mane Stream as a committee member for our Equus Gala to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. “I am proud to be a small part of raising funds and awareness for the future of this great program.”
Thank you, Penelope, for always being a part of the Mane Stream family!
