Windrush Farm announces that its 2016 Power of the Horse Gala held at the Boston Marriott Peabody Hotel on Oct. 15 was a great success.
Guests were greeted at the entrance to the hotel by Tucker, one of the star therapy ponies at Windrush. Once inside, the supporters enjoyed cocktail hour while viewing beautiful pictures of the Windrush Farm program and bidding on the enticing silent auction items.
After parading into the dining room to the jazz sounds of the band Eli & The Hot Six, the guests were greeted by board member Lucy Vail, Education & Training Director Mandy Hogan and CEO Janet Nittmann. Dinner was followed by guest speaker Elisa Carreras, who moved the audience with her story of what Windrush Farm has meant to all three of her children. Carreras then introduced the video “The Healing Power of the Horse.”
The evening program continued with “Pony Up” hosted by the entertaining Tim Vaill and Ben Nutter, during which the audience pledged over $135,000 to support Windrush. To conclude, the evening guests enjoyed a little swing on the dance floor to the energetic jazz ensemble.
“The annual gala is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the outstanding recent accomplishments of Windrush and to look forward to the future,” said Janet Nittmann, CEO of Windrush Farm. “Thanks to its incredible community of supporters, Windrush can continue to change lives and be a leader in its field.”
Windrush Farm would like to extend its thanks to the sponsors of the annual gala. The Boston Bruins Foundation served as the event’s Diamond Sponsor. Gold sponsors included Boston Private, Bob’s Discount Furniture and John and Janet Schickling. Nelson Mullins, Choice Graphics, Kappy’s Fine Wine and Spirits, Bulger Animal Hospital, Manchester Athletic Club and Marnitz & Associate Insurance Inc. also were thanked, in addition to the gala committee, which includes Lucy Vaill served as chairwoman and Lida Bernard and Holly Langer as honorary chairs. Committee members included Molly Awiszus, Dylan Brown, Amy Caine, Suzanne Fischer, Brad Hildt, Peggy Louden, Gail Macey, Jen Mahoney-Goland, Benjamin Nutter, Donna Vallis, Meg Vitale, Bob Was and Sue Wong.
Windrush Farm is a nonprofit organization that expands and enriches the personal, emotional and physical abilities of all those served by partnering with horses and the environment. Clientele include children and adults with special needs, veterans, youth at risk, bereavement groups, survivors of human trafficking and more. Each year, Windrush provides an array of educational services and therapeutic activities to more than 2,050 children and adults and their families.
Founded in 1964, Windrush Farm was one of the first programs to provide equine assisted activities and therapies in the US.
For information: windrushfarm.org.