50 People for 50 Years: Laura Brucker, Equus - Gratitude Gala Co-Chair, and Board Member
Laura Brucker’s daily commute led her right to Mane Stream’s door. After learning more about the mission and meeting some people involved with then Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center, she attended the 2003 pirate-themed Equus Gala. “That evening, I met Board Member, Marianne Walsh Saladino, as well as, then-Executive Director, Nichola Redmond, who both encouraged me to join the Board of Directors.” Laura had worked in marketing professionally and had planned lots of events as a volunteer, which, coupled with her years as an equestrian and passion for our mission, made joining the Mane Stream Board the perfect fit.
Laura chaired her first Equus Gala in 2005 and since then co-chaired several others. Over the years Laura has worked with many co-chairs including Jaimie Morais, Sofia Cocoziello, Jill Friedland, Emily Maillet Kellogg and Marianne Walsh Saladino. Laura recalls, “I’ve seen it all while planning for Equus…from Katie Borghese standing tippy toe on a ladder at all hours of the night hanging dried leaves for a fall event at the USET to Sofia Cocoziello stuffing her entire arm into centerpiece filled with decorative jelly while glamorously dressed for our 2018 Fire and Ice Equus Gala.”
Thanks to Laura’s creativity and hard work, she, her co-chairs, and their committees have raised over $2 million through the years to support the participants and programs offered at Mane Stream. Part of their success is making sure that Equus guests feel connected to our mission and the participants who benefit from their generosity. One of the best ways to do that is to invite families and participants to tell their stories. “Probably the most special memory for me at Equus was when Jill Friedland’s daughter Lucy created a video about her brother Adam, one of our all-time favorite clients, who passed away. The video is used today to introduce our Helping Hands Pyramid component at Equus. The first time the video was shared at the event will remain with me forever - watching Adam’s family’s response and witnessing how it inspired the audience who remained silent and thoughtful while it was playing.”
Laura believes it is vital to assist local organizations to better our community. It has been extremely rewarding to spread the word about Mane Stream’s mission, and to gather generous friends and family to support the initiatives. Being involved with Equus has given Laura’s children wonderful opportunities to get involved and learn the benefits of supporting a nonprofit organization too. Her son, Jack, helped to produce a video that was shown to hundreds of people at Equus one year. And her daughter, Paige, has helped at Mane Stream horse shows and behind the scenes at Equus. “Mane Stream has become the one of the leading organizations of our extended family’s philanthropic efforts over the years.”
This year Laura is co-chairing 2022 EQUUS – Gratitude Gala with Marianne Walsh Saladino and Emily Maillet Kellogg, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Mane Stream. “I love to introduce new people to Mane Stream, and will continue to think of new ways for people to get involved or benefit from our programs.”
We know that with Laura and co-chairs at the helm, this year’s 50th Anniversary celebration will be a night to be remembered for And knowing Laura, she will bring new faces and friends to EQUUS at USET, this year and it will be a night to be remembered.
