Ready Set Ride Launches Fundraiser To Purchase Property

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield's Ready Set Ride has launched a fundraiser to purchase their current location or, if necessary, a new location. The riding stable, which provides therapeutic services to kids with special needs, has been in its Essington Road home for nearly 16 years. But with the property in foreclosure, they are facing eviction and have to be out by July 17.

Vice President Lesley Caramusa created a GoFundMe site on Thursday. "We've paid rent for over 15 years but have now been put in a position where our landlord who is in bankruptcy has no desire to work with us and wants us out," Caramusa wrote. "We have secured representation and our goal is to now be able to purchase the property we are currently on if that becomes possible or purchase new land nearby where our program can continue to flourish being a part of the community. No matter what happens, these funds will be used to help with our legal fees, property needs and moving the horses!"

Caramusa said the organization stopped paying rent to the property owner in January, six months after foreclosure proceedings began. She said they would like to make their payments directly to the bank or, if possible, purchase the location. Caramusa said RSR stopped rent payments only after crews came out and shut off the electricity and water and RSR learned the property owner had not been making mortgage payments. RSR staff was able to notify the sheriff's department that there was livestock on the property and get the water and electricity turned back on, Caramusa said.

According to court records, the property is owned by Joseph and Leticia Tages. Last month, the Tages filed a suit to have Ready Set Ride evicted. On Friday, Caramusa said a judge denied the group's request for an extension beyond their July 17 deadline to vacate the property.

As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $5,000 towards a $100,000 goal. Find the GoFundMe campaign here. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Plainfield news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Caramusa said she wanted to stress that donations will go only towards the purchase of the stable's existing home or a new location for Ready Set Ride. "We will not stay in this location if (Tages) is the landlord," she said.

Image via GoFundMe