Gala Raises Most Ever For Ironstone Farm

Ironstone Farm’s Spirit of Giving Gala not only recreated the “Party of the Century” as planned, but turned out to be the best party yet for the Andover nonprofit.
The November event netted an Ironstone record of more than $212,000 in much needed funds to support Ironstone Farm’s programs for children with special needs, combat veterans and others.
Better still for Ironstone Farm, the night’s honoree, singer Tony Orlando, told the crowd he wants to return next year with his band and perform his Vegas show to benefit the nonprofit because he feels so close to its cause.
The Spirit of Giving event for Ironstone Farm is organized by Andover’s Lauren Hajjar, owner of the event planning and concierge business Errands and Events by Lauren, and a committee of volunteers, led by co-chairwoman Nancy Greeley, also of Andover.
Orlando grew up singing to sooth a sister who had cerebral palsy. He visited Ironstone for the first time in 2010, and called that visit, “one of the most inspiring days of my life.” He said at the gala that when he sees children riding horses at Ironstone as part of their therapy he thinks that any one of them could be his sister.
He received the Spirit of Giving Award at the gala for his decades of work on behalf of veterans, and on behalf of children with special needs, including 33 years teaming with Jerry Lewis on the Labor Day telethon to overcome muscular dystrophy. The Spirit of Giving Award is a painting of a child on horseback at Ironstone Farm.
“That is my sister,” said Orlando as he looked at the award. “I’ve been privileged to receive lots of wonderful gifts in my life because of the business I’ve been in. This is one of the great ones I’ve ever received in 54 years.”
One of the main efforts of the night is to raise money for Ironstone Farm’s Sponsor a Child Program that provides money for children whose families might otherwise not be able to continue their therapy. Nine-year-old Christian Yianopoulos addressed the crowd, serving as a spokesman for the riders at Ironstone. This was the first time a rider has spoken at the 13-year-old event.
“I can feel myself getting stronger. For example, it’s easier for me to get up and down the stairs. I’m also able to balance better on my feet. My therapy at Ironstone is fun and allows me to get stronger,” said Christian. “I hope any child who can benefit from Ironstone Farm, like me, will be able to take the horse therapy so that they can have fun and get better, too.”
NECN meteorologist Matt Noyes served as master of ceremonies and auctioneer, and Kiss 108’s Rich DiMare and his players played music for the sold-out crowd. All the money raised will support Ironstone Farm’s nonprofit programs. Ironstone Farm, on Route 133 in Andover, provides therapy for children and adults with special needs, people diagnosed with cancer, combat veterans returning with stress, teens at risk, elders with memory issues and others.
The annual gala for Ironstone Farm carries a different theme each year. This year, Ironstone recreated the spirit of the so-called Party of the Century, Truman Capote’s exclusive 1966 Black and White Ball held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. People wore either black or white gala attire, and many came with a black or white mask, just as guests did in 1966. Orlando told the Ironstone crowd that as a young singer he attended the original ball.

MORE ABOUT TONY ORLANDO
Tony Orlando, one of America’s most enduring and endearing entertainers and a superstar humanitarian, receivec Ironstone Farm’s Spirit of Giving Award at the event.
Throughout his life, Tony has been a champion for the populations that Ironstone Farm serves, especially people with special needs. From singing to his sister with cerebral palsy as a boy, to teaming for 33 years with Jerry Lewis in the fight for children with muscular dystrophy, Tony has inspired and improved the lives of countless people. His electric stage presence is matched by a giving spirit evident at events throughout the year, including the Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Salute to Veterans event offered each Veterans Day. Tony has been a fan of Ironstone since he first visited the farm in 2010 calling the visit “one of the most inspiring days I’ve ever had.”

MORE ABOUT IRONSTONE FARM
Ironstone Farm is home to the nonprofit organizations Challenge Unlimited and Ironstone Therapy. Its programs combine several powerful therapies into one effective program for children and adults with special needs. Clients are referred to Ironstone Therapy by top doctors and institutions. Ironstone uses the dynamic motion of a horse, which mimics the walking motion of a person and works multiple muscle groups at once. The inviting atmosphere of a farm improves social interactions and makes therapy a “want to” event rather than a “have to” session.
Additional programs at Ironstone Farm benefit people living with cancer, veterans returning with post-traumatic stress disorder, elders with memory issues, teens at risk and others. Clients come to Ironstone Farm from more than 90 communities in the Merrimack Valley, Greater Boston and Southern New Hampshire areas. More than 200 people each week volunteer their time because they know their donated work changes lives.

HOLIDAY GIFTS THAT SUPPORT IRONSTONE
This holiday season, people can buy an engraved brick to honor a loved one and also build a better Ironstone Farm.” The laser-engraved brick will become a permanent part of Ironstone Farm. The money will help renovate Ironstone’s original therapy building and other facilities and expand it nonprofit programs. Visit www.IronstoneBrick.org to see the options and order.
People can also purchase a gift certificate in any amount for horseback riding. Give someone a special experience and a great way to get exercise 12 months a year. Call 978-475-4056 or visit www.ironstonefarm.org.