The Morrison Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce it has awarded a grant to White Oaks Therapeutic Equestrian Center.  Shown is Morrison Area Community Foundation board member Jan Horberg, left, and Kiley VanDerLeest, Executive Director of White Oaks.

Horberg-VanDerLeest

White Oaks Therapeutic Equestrian Center provides therapeutic horseback riding and animal-assisted activities for children and adults with physical and/or mental disabilities.  VanDerLeest stated, “WHOA provides recreational, educational, therapeutic, and social opportunities for persons, ages four through adult, with disabilities.  Basic instruction is given in grooming, tacking, horsemanship, riding, and driving skills.  Classes include mounted exercise, reinforcement of learning objectives, games, trail riding, and a great deal of fun for all involved!  Therapeutic riding is made possible through the assistance of dedicated, trained volunteers who help with horses and riders, stable maintenance, special events and fundraising.”  

The grant award will be used to help WHOA provide English and Western saddles, saddle pads, reins, and various other tack items.

A 501(c)(3) entity, the Morrison Area Community Foundation awards grants for charitable projects and programs impacting a wide range of needs in the community:  arts and culture, health, human services, education, community betterment, historic preservation, etc.  Grants are made possible through the generosity of those who give to the Morrison Area Community Foundation’s Impact Fund.  This endowment provides a continuous source of funding to non-profit organizations which serve the needs of the Morrison community. 

For information about making a tax-deductible donation to the foundation, or to request assistance from the Morrison Area Community Foundation, please visit www.morrisonareacf.org.  Assistance applications are also available at the Morrison Community Development Office, 221 W. Main Street.   

If you have any questions or would like more information about the Morrison Area Community Foundation, please contact Bill Shirk, 772-7213, or Ann Slavin, 772-2345.