Magical Meadows, 3386 E. CR 525N, Warsaw, will hold its Rise Up fundraiser event at 6 p.m. March 12 at Tippecanoe Country Club.
This is the fourth year for the Rise Up event, said Executive Director Carl Adams. Magical Meadows wasn’t able to do it last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so they had to take a year off, which is why this year’s event is so important.
The Rise Up event is Magical Meadow’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with three other fundraisers throughout the year. The goal this year is to raise $100,000.
The last Rise Up event Magical Meadows ran before COVID, Adams said they “ran around $60,000 on that, so we’re hoping it generates a little bit more.”
The March 12 fundraiser includes a steak and chicken dinner, he said. There will be live and silent auctions. Adams said some of the things that are being auctioned off include chairs and items from different area stores and a hot air balloon ride.
Proceeds will go toward things like scholarships for riders. Scholarships are to help people who struggle coming up with the money for Magical Meadow’s riding program.
“So a lot of the money that comes in, helps supply the need for those individuals as well,” Adams said.
Magical Meadows has riders that range in age from 2 to in their 80s.
Magical Meadows also has a program called Warriors Mount Up, which is a program for veterans.
The money from the Rise Up fundraiser will also go toward different programs at Magical Meadows, including programs with the YMCA and the Bowen Center, Adams said. The programs are to help people mentally and emotionally for whatever reason that person is at the organizations.
Magical Meadows serves everyone from the blind to people who have cerebral palsy, autistic people and people who have PTSD, Adams said. It’s an addition to other therapies that are offered, “it’s an enhancement.”
Adams hopes the Rise Up event brings awareness of what Magical Meadows does.
“A lot of people don’t understand still what therapeutic horseback riding is. They think it’s just a pony ride, but it’s a lot more than that. We get referrals almost daily from different doctors trying to see if we can take one of their individuals,” Adams said, noting it is the 15th year Magical Meadows has been around. “We just want people to know what we are.”
Adams said he hopes people can see Magical Meadows is a place of hope and a place where “I believe miracles happen on a daily basis” and a place where you can bring someone and feel important.
Those interested in attending the fundraiser can sign up at www.themagicalmeadows.org/daytoriseup/ or call 574-265-3085. Registration deadline is Tuesday. Up to 200 people can register for the fundraiser.
The price for registration is $50 per individual or $90 for a couple.
