To the editor:
Thank you Aroostook County people for the great way you support each other. Through thick and thin people have been able to reach down and help when there is a need. County residents from top to bottom have, over the years, purchased assorted raffle tickets for our Manes and Tails fundraiser.
Manes and Tails is a nonprofit organization made up of a small group of volunteers who network toward the goal of expanding and supporting relationship based equine programs in Aroostook. The group is not a regulating body or competitive, but cooperates, shares and networks to see growth and development in equine activities for the County.
Recently Manes and Tails, pulled the winning ticket for a NASCAR quilt, homemade and anonymously donated, to the very honored Betty Bishop of Island Falls. The money raised through this fundraiser is used to scholarship children and families with special needs to attend equine facilitated improvement programs throughout the county.
For the horse season of 2010, Manes and Tails is glad to announce a record number of participants have benefited from the scholarship program! Good news and many are attending programs on their own. Thank you to everyone who have supported and facilitated equine assisted programs in any way in Aroostook County!
Based on past requests and more coming in, Manes and Tails has set a $5,000 fund-raising goal for 2011 to continue the scholarship programs for participants and facilitators’ trainings. This will mean more raffle tickets, but much of the funds raised are from contributions. No matter how large or small, sponsorships and donations are greatly appreciated. Contributions may be designated as the giver indicates. Some may want to sponsor participants in a certain area, a facilitator for a certain of training, individuals, and/or families, equipment, or riding gear. Scholarships are awarded to the location the participant or family chooses, sometimes a small seasonal barn, sometimes a larger full-time facility. Some contributions are made in memory of a loved one.
Please consider making your contribution to help Manes and Tails continue supporting the equine experiences that benefit all involved. Again thank you! For more information please contact me at 868-5324 in Van Buren, Shelley Taylor at 538-9376, in Monticello, or Pam Scheppele 496-4361 in Caribou.
Nancy Dumond Violette
Van Buren
