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GREETERS: Abbey Romanek & Tom Ryan
THOUGHT: Theresa Nissen
SCRIBE: Ellen Falkof
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Four new members have been approved by the Board of Directors: Jack Close (sponsored by Bob Meeder), John Baker (sponsored by Joyce Knauf), Sheri Miller (sponsored by Ray Lechner) and Apryl Eschelman (who found us on the web). This is the largest class of new members in recent memory!
Plans for the Spring fundraiser are underway. We raised over $20,000 from the fall fundraiser and are ahead of last year’s fundraising at this point in time.
This Sunday there will be a group from the club playing paddle from 4-6 at Wilmette’s new courts. Everyone is welcome to join us. Contact Jeff Martin for info.
Joan O’Neill just returned from Guatemala. The trip surpassed her expectations. The accommodations were very nice. The project she worked on was renovating a health clinic which involved painting, carpentry and cleaning. It was a huge transformation of the facility during her stay and very rewarding. Rob Davis is going back to the clinic in March.
Puran is asking for sponsors for students at A’Ktenamit. The cost per student is $360 which can be split.
Ellen Falkof will sign-up club members who want to participate in packing food for Kids against Hunger on March 22 from 11-1:00 p.m. at the Winnetka Community House. The Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Club has organized this event. So far there are 20 members from our club participating. Until February 22nd the sign-up fee is $20. After that, it is $25 to register. The sign-up fee covers supplies.
Puran is organizing the Soup Kitchen this Monday, February 24th from 11-1:00 at the Unitarian Church, Evanston. She still needs volunteers. Contact Puran if you can help.
Jim Bowman is organizing the community grants committee. He invited members to let him know if they want to help review grant applications.
Thursday, February 27th, at 5:30 p.m. at The Avenue in downtown Wilmette there will be a happy hour. Jim Griffith is organizing this fellowship event. All are welcomed!
GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
Maureen Barry’s mother-in-law passed away.
Andy Hanson is in the hospital with a bad foot injury.
SPEAKER:
Diana Schnell, Executive Director, Equestrian Connections
Founded in 2001. Diana had participated in another program that had to close where she saw the transformation of children which inspired her to start Equestrian Connections. She raised $500,000 and bought the property in Lake County.
The movement of the horse goes up the horse and into the rider. Riding helps with balance and strength, especially with the help of a therapist. They serve over 300 clients weekly. Over 30% need financial assistance. They have 17 different programs and also serve adults. They now offer adults with MS services that have a huge impact on their ability to improve movement.
The growth of the program has been primarily through word of mouth. The primary Children’s Programs are hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, art therapy, camps, job skills, horse care. The Art Therapy is primarily program is primarily for people with communication challenges. There is also a program for preschool age children. Equestrian Connections is now helping quite a few kids with autism.
For adults, there are several programs: hippotherapy, MS, Silver Spurs – Alzheimers, Veterans, caregivers.
Illinois is ranked 48 out of the 50 states in funding for human services. EC is funded by private and corporate contributions. 90% of contributions goes directly to programs. It is $3600 a year for year of services. This includes one hour a week with personal individual therapy.
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