As Dream Catchers celebrates the success of its fundraising initiative in March, it also celebrates the success of its clients. The nonprofit organization, which offers therapeutic horse-riding services to people with special needs, held its sixth annual Catch a Dream horse show March 6, preceded by a month-long fundraising initiative that rallied community support.
“We think it was a huge success,” said Janet Mayberry Laughlin, interim executive director at Dream Catchers.
The fundraiser is meant to help keep costs low for lessons at the center. Each of the 45 participating “Dream Teams,” comprised of clients and their families, raised $100 to support Dream Catchers. Sponsors further elevated the success, including Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que, which gave $2,000 and funded two Dream Riders scholarships in addition to catering the horse show.
Laughlin said the show presents an opportunity for more people to check out the Toano facility and better understand its impact.
“It’s really special for us to meet grandparents, aunts, uncles, that we don’t normally get to see,” she said.
The organization also uses the event to award the Angie N. Johnson Student Achievement Award, named after a former volunteer and donor and designed to recognize the accomplishments of one Dream Catchers rider each year. With 13 years of experience with the organization, Abby Jones took home the award for 2018.
Jones was born prematurely at 24 weeks, weighing 1 pound, 6 ounces and facing a lifelong struggle with cerebral palsy. At 7 years old, she began riding with Dream Catchers.
“I barely had any coordination, any strength in my core to hold myself up,” she said. She relied entirely on people walking alongside for support.
Now 20 years old, Jones stills gets a little help at the start of her ride, but her core is strong enough that she’s then able to ride solo. At that point, Jones said, she forgets about her disability entirely.
“Abby has come a long way. She’s gained more independence through the years,” Laughlin said.
Beyond improving her strength and flexibility through her time at the center, Jones said she’s grateful for the opportunity to socialize more.
“She brings out some of the personalities of some of the other kids,” said her father, Phil. “I think that’s a big part of what DC does. It’s not just the physical aspect.”
Although life still has its ups and down, like when surgeries mean Jones must take a hiatus from riding, her experiences with the staff, the horses and the other riders have changed her life for the better. She remains always galloping toward another liberating ride, another conversation shared between friends or some other worthwhile adventure.
“What we do at Dream Catchers impacts not only the students but also everyone that that student comes into contact with in their lives,” Laughlin said.
Interested?
For more information on Dream Catchers, visit dreamcatchers.org or call 566-1775.
Birkenmeyer can be reached by phone at 757-790-3029.
