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Whole Foods Market- Champions Store and SIRE
Whole Foods Champions 1% Day
On June 29th, as part of the Whole Foods Market Champions store Grand Opening, SIRE gave demonstrations and taught how we keep our horses at optimum health for the best experiences for our clients. A few hundred store guests were able to learn about horse nutrition, get a close-up look at some of our adaptive equipment, and visit with two miniature therapy horses, Oreo and Rosie, and two full sized therapy horses, Bob and Hadley. In store displays were set up informing guest of many of the important parts that go into a horse’s diet such as grains, minerals, salts, and carbohydrates. As part of the Whole Foods Market charitable giving appreciation, the Champions store donating 1% of their net proceeds that day to SIRE!
Collaborative volunteers from the National Charity League and several SIRE clients took part in the festivities including Shelby Day who helped out as her parents chatted with others and shopped. Shelby was heard saying “this is where I want to be, I’m the happiest girl alive” as she stood with Bob, answering questions about her riding and the horses she loves.
As the year of the horse continues we want everyone to remember the importance of a healthy horse makes for a healthy ride and experience for SIRE’s clients. A partnership with Whole Foods Market means that we can continue our mission and educate the community about the need for therapeutic horsemanship while improving the quality of life for people with special needs.In addition to promoting healthy lifestyles, both SIRE and Whole Foods Market value and operate through teamwork. Whole Foods Market benefits from the knowledge that “success is dependent on collaborative energy and intelligence of the team,” and likewise, at SIRE, success is dependent on the quality of our team: the rider, horse leader, side walkers, the instructor, support staff, and of course the therapy horse.
SIRE has been designated a Premier Accredited Center since 1984 by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International. 98% of our clients report physical improvement. The benefits extend to families and schools. Clients who gain the stamina to sit up on a moving horse for 45 minutes can join the family dinner. Others who gain self-control can participate more meaningfully in their school classes. Paige Pharis, a parent of a SIRE rider said “My child began as a non-verbal, anti-social young girl. Through the love and dedication of the SIRE staff, volunteers and wonderful horses, she is a happy, confident, funny young lady.” Though the details change, the basic story of improvements, of “Riding Beyond,” repeats for every one of our 307 riders. Add to that our more than 400 volunteers who donated 33,268 hours of their time in 2013, worth $736,570. And SIRE’s award-winning staff delivered 2,556 hours of training to other professionals in 2013.
SIRE provides a Reduced Tuition Program and wants to expand the program to more families. Last year 20% of our clients participated in the Reduced Tuition Program to the sum of $36,666.00. Support from Whole Foods Market and other generous supports help with program costs and in-kind donations so we can continue to make the program affordable for people of all economic situations. As our resource base improves, we can offer services to even more people. These services change lives and help our riders “Ride Beyond” into more strength, confidence, and independence. First words, first steps, first smiles all happen because of generous supporters who care about making a difference through SIRE.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]