WINDHAM — Eight-year-old Allie Mannette is a budding equestrian who raises chickens at her family farm in Standish. Every year she sells her eggs and her handmade Christmas decorations at a craft fair in Gorham, hosted by her grandparents, and donates the money she takes in to charity.
In the past she has donated to the Animal Refuge League and to her school’s Back Pack Project (providing weekend meals for kids in need.)
This year she has decided to donate all the money she made to Riding To The Top because of how highly her grandparents have spoken of the local nonprofit. Her grandparents — Mary Jane and Gerry Strumph — attended RTT’s annual signature event, the “Triple B ~ Boots, Band and BBQ,” in October as guests of their friends. It was their first introduction to Riding To The Top, recognizing the impact the organization has on the health and wellness of people with disabilities and their families.
Allie visited RTT with her mom, Natalie Hodgdon, and her grandparents in early December. She saw firsthand how her donation will make a difference. She observed a lesson, toured the farm and met some of the 19 horses at RTT.
“After I heard about the event that my grandparents went to and what it was for, I thought it would be nice to donate here,” she said. Allie’s egg and crafts fair proceeds this year totaled $126, which she presented to Executive Director Sarah Bronson during her visit.
“In addition to being a budding equestrian, Allie is a budding philanthropist. She personally understands the impact that horses can have, and for her to make this donation to Riding To The Top as an eight-year-old is truly heart-warming,” said Bronson. “We were touched by her gift and visit to the farm and look forward to seeing her back as a volunteer in the future!”
Founded in 1993, Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center’s (RTT) mission is enhancing health and wellness through equine assisted activities and therapies. RTT is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International). Located in Windham, Maine, RTT is the state’s only year round PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center solely dedicated to serving people with disabilities through equine assisted activities and therapies. RTT is a community-based nonprofit, receives no federal or state funding and provides scholarships to more than 60 percent of its clients.
For more information about client services, volunteering, or making a gift, visit us at www.ridingtothetop.org or call 207-892-2813.
