Ivy Hill’s Presents Check to Pearl S. Buck International

Ivy Hill was thrilled to be able to help continue the humanitarian legacy of Pearl S Buck with a check presentation to the Pearl S. Buck International Foundation, on June 8th. The check was made possible through proceeds of an auction of a beautiful horse-themed quilt, made and donated by Donna Cochran. The quilt was part of the Ivy Hill display during the Festival of Trees, where their team decorated a tree and Miss Buck’s bedroom. Raffle tickets for the quilt were sold both in Buck’s International Gift Shop and as part of Ivy Hill’s Annual Silent Auction.

When a friendship sparks easily, it is often because there is an underlying base of commonality. When Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center was invited to take part in the 2017 Festival of Trees at the Pearl S. Buck House, many similarities between the two organizations became apparent as the project evolved. In addition to the shared love of horses, both organizations support the building of better lives for children who struggle with physical or emotional difficulties through celebrating diversity and making meaningful contributions within the community.

Ivy Hill often uses the equation “Horses + Love = Hope” to describe what they accomplish through therapeutic riding and this was the theme they chose as they decorated Miss Buck’s bedroom. They also recognized many similarities to the Ivy Hill story in Miss Buck’s personal life, writings and Foundation, which they incorporated as part of their creative design.

In her memoir, “The Child Who Never Grew”, Pearl addressed the trials of raising a special needs daughter during an era of misinformation and prejudice. She stated, “It was my child who taught me to understand so clearly that all people are equal in their humanity and that all have the same human rights.” In the same memoir, she uses the phrase,“Hope brings comfort”and that sentiment was shared throughout the Ivy Hill design.

Another component of the alliance formed during this 2017 Christmas Festival was the involvement of a local chapter of the non-profit organization, Questers. Questers’ mission is to see the best of American heritage preserved for future generations. They seek to promote educational efforts and to donate funds to the preservation and restoration of historic artifacts, memorials, buildings and landmarks.

Grace Emmell Leister, an Ivy Hill Board of Director’s member and President of Questers Gaudy Chapter #270 was part of the team that decorated the tree and Miss Buck’s bedroom. Grace shared, “It is our shared belief that collaboration and community produces the most meaningful commitment for all people.”

On May 7, 2018 Ivy Hill was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation for the 2018 Pearl S. Buck International Friendship Award. This award was given to Ivy Hill for their commitment to volunteer service and the role they played in helping achieve the Pearl S. Buck International mission of “Bridging Cultures, Changing Lives”.

The check presentation on June 8thbrought full circle what began as an invitation, shared common beliefs and goals, then grew into a friendship that will likely continue by adding more branches to the tree that now grows and the children who will grow with it.

Since 1999, Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Centerhas been providing equine-assisted activities and therapies for special needs children and adults in Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh and Philadelphia counties.

The mission of Ivy Hill Foundation is to utilize the equine experience in building pathways for personal growth, in strengthening supporting relationships and in broadening community involvement for individuals with special needs. To sponsor a horse or a rider, to make a donation or for more information, visit our website at www.ivyhillequestrian.org.