Pitching In & Making a Difference

50 People for 50 Years: Jeanne Rogalin, Volunteer & Board Member

Jeanne Rogalin began volunteering with Mane Stream in 2014. Volunteering with Mane Stream has been so personally rewarding that Jeanne decided to join Mane Stream’s Board of Directors! The horses, clients, staff, and instructors have always made Jeanne feel helpful, appreciated, and grateful for so many things in life.

Some of Jeanne’s favorite memories are helping with the Annual Horse Shows. She remembers, “Each year my husband and I set up a photo booth and take pictures of the riders on their horses with their ribbons, and print out a 4 x 6 photo while they’re waiting. The smiles and expressions on their faces when they see themselves in the picture is priceless. We look forward to doing this every year.” But the photo booth isn’t just for the Horse Show, Jeanne and Roger have also set it up at the Holiday Open House so they could capture all the shenanigans that happen when you mix humans and horses hopped up on lots of sugar and holiday spirit. That’s what Mane Stream fun is all about.

Have we mentioned Jeanne’s love of the Fjords?! She’s been known to take photoshoots with them for her business cards for her company Midtown Direct Properties, which services Summit and surrounding areas.

We would be remiss if we didn’t also mention that Jeanne is an integral part of our fundraising events. In addition to becoming a sponsor for all of our events, she also spends many hours canvassing for prime silent auction items. And though she is extremely busy with her real estate business, she still finds time to volunteer for our adaptive riding program. When her schedule doesn’t allow her time to sign up for a weekly spot, she will often answer the plea and fill a sub spot because she knows skilled leaders are always in short supply.

And let us not forget Jeanne’s persistent support of Shoes for Shoes which raises funds to cover our farrier bills. Her promotional videos on social media help widen her circle of shoe donors resulting in what seems like monthly deliveries of bags of shoes that people have dropped off on her porch. Without her persistence Mane Stream would never reach our 2,500 pairs of shoes goal!

When asked about her vision for Mane Stream in the future, Jeanne responded “I hope to someday have plenty of indoor ring space as well as turnout to accommodate more horses and expanded programs.” Jeanne continues to volunteer in other capacities including sitting on numerous event committees.

Thank you, Jeanne for EVERYTHING you do in support of the Mane Stream mission!

Always Part of the Family

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!

Welcome NEW Volunteers

We are excited to welcome 13 NEW VOLUNTEERS this past May!

Each person has completed an online orientation and a hands-on training session. In addition, almost everyone has already started volunteering weekly or filled in as a substitute. THANK YOU!

NEW VOLUNTEERS
Michelle Annese, Lisa Brown, Lilly Dowe, Ava Ikbal, Susan Mallows, Dana Maurer, Tessa Maurer, Matthew McCann, Renee McCann, Julia Nemec, Chip Quayle, Karen Ruffner, and Amelia Vazquez.

Thank you Sponsors!

13 Generous sponsors invested in the Mane Stream mission and the Boots on Bourbon Street event making it a success.

THE BIG EASY - $3,500
American Humane
The Greifeld Family
Kathy & Hal Kamine
Jeanne Rogalin - Midtown Direct Properties - Keller Williams Premier Properties
Sawyer Smith Residential
Red Tail Farm

FRENCH QUARTER - $1,500
Maureen & Steve Bezer
Karen & Steve Kaufhold
Pine Woods Farm
Betsy & Kevin Sullivan

 BAYOU - $500
Gia-Raquel Esposito: TURPIN Realtors
Kate & Rick Henry
Jennifer & Stephen Smith

Gifts of Gratitude on Display

Lining the Entrance to the Boots on Bourbon Street event on May 21st.

Thank you to everyone who gave a GIFT OF GRATITUDE in honor of their favorite board member, volunteer, participant, or horse. Your kind words set the mood for guests at Boots on Bourbon Street.

If you would like to participate, there’s still time! You can give a GIFT OF GRATITUDE with a special note to your favorite board member, volunteer, participant, or horse. Notes (15 words or less) will be displayed at "EQUUS & the Horse Show" and listed in eCurrent newsletter. Purchase your Gift of Gratitude under the "Purchase Tickets" button on the EQUUS WEBSITE.

Thank you to our amazing staff for all you do for Mane Stream's clients, community and horses! - Jeanne Rogalin

Gratitude: For great volunteers, special therapists and instructors, and sweet horses. - H4H 2.0 Ladies

Eternally grateful for all that is ManeStream! Life changing! - H4H 2.0 Ladies

*the encouragement of Mane Stream staff, *the tireless volunteers, *the heart filling friendships - H4H 2.0 Ladies

So Grateful: the Mane Stream program assists one " To Be" Healthy - Mind, Body & Spirit - H4H 2.0 Ladies

Our family appreciates Mane Stream for therapeutic riding. Our son, Peter, LOVES the horses! Staff & volunteers are wonderful at Mane Stream. - Marianne Shandor

Thank you, Kathy Dermody, for being so great!!!! - Katie Higgins

Elliott loves riding with you all! - Elliott Bentley

MANY THANKS to Everyone for all of your support for Mane Stream. - Karen Kaufhold

THANK YOU to the Staff, Volunteers, and Board of Directors for all of your DEDICATION! - Karen Kaufhold

Great job Tina & Grace! - Robert Moore

A Sultry Evening in N’awlins

Our first spring fundraiser in 3 years was a sizzler!

On May 21st, over 175 guests gathered under one HUGE tent at Red Tail Farm for Boots on Bourbon Street. The sultry weather added to the N’awlins atmosphere that included a mix of Cajun food favorites, lots of hot pink and neon green Mardi Gras-inspired décor and several games of chance.  Throughout it all, the Crocodiles were the real theme of the event. Thank you, Kate Magnier for creating that handsome Bourbon Street Crocodile!

Guests enjoyed an evening full of yummy food, fun, and games, while raising much needed funds for our important Mane Stream mission. Our therapy demo with client Tess on Minnie, our beloved Fjord, focused on making the connection between OT, PT, and SLP sessions that incorporate hippotherapy, and tasks of daily living. These include the skill set necessary to self-dress or communicate with friends. In order to best serve our participants for another 50 years, we established the BEST FOOT FORWARD Fund to help with routine maintenance and unexpected expenses around the farm. The #1 NEED is new footing for the indoor arena! New low-dust, fluffy footing not only saves the lungs but also wear and tear on the joints of horses, volunteers, and therapists alike. If you are interested in donating to the fund there is still time. DONATE TODAY. No gift is too small to make a big impact and help Mane Stream put its BEST FOOT FORWARD.

Don, our line dance teacher, got people out on the dance floor for a few of the latest dances – Thanks, Don! Some might have been a little more challenging than the crowd was prepared for, everyone had a lot of laughs. Participants, volunteers, therapists, and instructors enjoyed this special time together and even boogied on the dance floor. At 10pm the 50/50 raffle winner was announced and though Dawn G. was not present she was extremely excited to find out that she had just won over $1,000.

The cold cookie ice cream sandwiches were definitely a hit as the sweetly delicious but hot Bananas Foster was only enjoyed by those not deterred by the heat of the evening. Later in the evening, we lit the fire pits everyone had fun roasting s’mores next to the giant Jenga and multiple corn hole games.

Thank you to everyone that came to Boots on Bourbon Street to support Mane Stream’s mission, especially the team of Mane Stream volunteers who worked all night selling raffle tickets, running the games, taking pictures, and a myriad of other tasks throughout the night. Thank you: Joyce Andreski, Tina Corcoran, Debi Delorenzo, Nancy Grossweiler, Laura Edelson, Grace Harvey, Cate Hegeman, Nancy Karowski, Elaine Milano, Dan O’Donnell, Kerry Scholz, and Mary Ellen Yen.

What will next year’s theme be?
You’ll just have to wait and see!

THANK YOU SPONSORS

THE BIG EASY
American Humane, The Greifeld Family, Kathy & Hal Kamine,
Jeanne Rogalin - Midtown Direct Properties - Keller Williams Premier Properties,
Sawyer Smith Residential, Red Tail Farm

FRENCH QUARTER
Maureen & Steve Bezer, Karen & Steve Kaufhold, Pine Woods Farm, Betsy & Kevin Sullivan

 BAYOU
Gia-Raquel Esposito: TURPIN Realtors, Kate & Rick Henry, Jennifer & Stephen Smith

GOODS AND SERVICES DONORS

 Little Bros Beverage Outlet, Melick's Town Farm, Red Tail Farm, Stop & Shop of Flemington,
Tito's Handmade Vodka, and Wegmans.

EVENT COMMITTEE

Joyce Andreski, Tina Corcoran, Tom Dermody, Laura Edelson, Nancy Grossweiler,
Grace Harvey, Justin Hendrickson, Karen Kaufhold, Jesse and Kara McMahon, Sandra Phillips, Kerry Scholz, Jennifer Smith, Stacy Timko, Tony Tambasco, Sally Walker, Mary Ellen Yen

Welcome Bubbles!

The Super Pony... Bubbles joined the Mane Stream herd in the spring of 2022. After years of showing in the hunter/jumper ring with Redfield, Bubbles transitioned to our Adaptive Riding program without a hitch. Due to his symmetrical movement and size, we are excited to use Bubbles in our therapy program. Riders and clients alike love both his name and his personality. Thank you to Redfield for donating this versatile pony!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see more shots of this cutie in the future!

Passion, Generosity and Building Mane Stream

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.

Summer Spirit Wear

Get ready to shop more 50th Anniversary gear!

This time you will be sporting the NEW 1 color 50th logo with tone-on-tone ink. You’ll find a selection of items for men, women, and even 2 styles for the kids. We didn’t want to limit your wardrobe so we added a few different colors to the usual Mane Stream blue, black, and grey.

Remember, spirit wear isn’t just for volunteering at the barn. Show your spirit at the gym, school, and in everyday living. Take a peek and get shopping in support of Mane Stream.

The online store closes at midnight, Monday, June 6th so don't delay! Clothing can be picked up after June 27th - just in time for CAMP!!

Can't Thank YOU Enough!

2022 National Volunteer Appreciation

The 3rd week of April is traditionally National Volunteer Appreciation Week but with weather cancelations, Spring Break for the horses and volunteers alike a week just wasn’t enough time to celebrate and spotlight so we took the whole month!

2022 is our 50th Anniversary and we have been looking back and reminiscing about all the fun times and growth of the organization (have you been following along?). That’s why this year we brought back an old tagline... “Mane Stream Volunteers are Hot to Trot!” A play on words because we know our volunteers are often jogging here and there, up and back all afternoon long. Several of our most tried and true program volunteers continue to help out several times a week as the pandemic keeps others from returning. We thank them for sticking with us and hope to continue to grow our volunteer base throughout the summer. We couldn’t do it without you!

Each day the volunteers were treated to a spread of snacks and drinks, including an oldie but a goodie, pretzel rolo bites. Additionally, 50th Anniversary Mason jar mugs filled with candy were presented to everyone as a small token of our esteem.

Managing the volunteer schedule is a hard job. As the 1st Volunteer Coordinator, Carol Ferris stated in her recent “spotlight article”, “It’s the Giant Jigsaw Puzzle of Constantly Changing Pieces”. It requires the volunteers to be flexible, super flexible, and thank goodness they are. The staff thinks the volunteers are amazing and the participants do too!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered during Volunteer Appreciation Month! Additionally, thanks go out to another 150 or so who help throughout the year with on-site programs and annual fundraisers. Without their commitment to our programs, Mane Stream would not be able to provide the consistent level of care our participants require.

Finally, we must thank all the volunteers that take pride in keeping our herd looking good. We know time spent in the barn is YOUR therapy but the horses truly adore you and all the LOVE you shower upon them.