Fundraisers

Part of my job at the therapeutic riding center is planning fundraisers. Since we're a nonprofit, our funding comes mainly from grants and private donors. We're lucky enough to receive money from a local university (we're part of their community outreach program) as well as local public school that send their students to us for lessons. However, the struggling economy has caused foundations to reduce giving and state and federal government cuts have reduced our contract with the schools by $35,000. So this year, it's more important than ever that we have successful fundraisers! I speak for everyone at work when I say we love what we do and we want to continue to serve our special needs riders!

Boots, BBQ, and Boogie, our oldest annual fundraiser, is now in its seventh year! It's held at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is full of good food, great music, and live and silent auctions. This year promises to be better than ever, as Paul Bogart is returning to entertain us, Trail's End BBQ is providing dinner, and we've got a whole slew of wonderful items to auction off. If you'll be in Tulsa on Saturday, June 11, don't miss it! If you'd like to buy tickets, don't hesitate to send me an email.

In August, we're partnering with the Arrowhead Polo Club to put on our first annual Chukkers for Charity! The club will play a match just for us, and there will be barbecue to buy, beers to drink, a champagne toast sponsored by Land Rover, and fun for everyone! And of course, like any good polo match, the halftime divot stomp is a must!!

After such a busy summer, we're planning to relax on our benefit trail ride in October on the beautiful Williams Ranch in Skiatook, Oklahoma. It's a two day ride, with a chuckwagon supper, campfire, and wagon rides on Friday night, and riding and lunch on Saturday. There will also be belt buckles available and lots of door prizes.

I am so excited for all of these fundraisers- not only are they fun events for everyone involved, they're benefiting a great cause! If you're interested in sponsoring, donating, or participating in any of these events, please let me know! You can reach me at prairieprep@gmail.com!