Madison Students’ Fundraiser Helps Seed High Hopes

Pictured are students from Mrs. Quinn’s Healthy Living Class. Photo Credit Joanne Clark.

Madison, CT: On Wednesday, June 20, students from Polson Middle School presented a check for $260 to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Inc.; the proceeds of a Plant Fundraiser they had been running through Mrs. Quinn’s Healthy Living Class.

“The students grew the plants from seed after learning all about plant care,” explained teacher, Mrs. Susan Quinn. “The class decided to run a fundraiser with the plants and sold them to students and staff before and after school and during lunch. Some students sold the plants to friends, family and neighbors.”

Half the money from the fundraiser was donated to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme and half to Parkinson’s Research. “It has been a great experience to have students make a connection between the environment and their food as well as connecting their efforts with a fundraiser to help others,” she said, as students presented the check to long-serving volunteer and Madison resident, Joanne Clark, who received the check on behalf of High Hopes at Polson Middle School.

“Maintaining our horses and providing substantial financial aid to all of our participants is a very costly process,” remarked High Hopes’ Development Director, Sara Slayton Qua. “We hold our big fundraising events each year, like our Gala and Holiday Market, but knowing that our programs are recognized in hundreds of community fundraisers like this one from Mrs. Quinn’s Class makes all the difference to our students and our staff. Thank You!”

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High Hopes is a premier therapeutic riding center and international instructor-training site, accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) since 1979. We have served people with physical, emotional and developmental disabilities for more than forty years, offering year round programs in equine assisted activities, including therapeutic riding, carriage driving and equine learning program. We also offer experiential learning through outreach programs, an integrated summer camp program and a variety of volunteer opportunities. High Hopes serves over 1800 people with disabilities each year, underwriting over 70% of all lesson costs and providing financial aid to 100% of our participants. - See more at: http://highhopestr.org/about/our-mission