Sponsors, volunteers, and mission families of Greystone Manor Therapeutic Riding Center (GMTRC) came together on Oct. 21 for the 11th annual "Mane" Event Dinner and Auction presented by Garman Builders at Bent Creek Country Club. The evening raised $75,000 to carry out GMTRC's mission to enhance the lives of individuals with special needs and other diagnoses through equine-assisted activities. Other event sponsors included E.G. Stoltzfus and AssuredPartners.

The fundraising event's mission ambassador was 13-year-old Connery Pham from Columbia. Connery started therapeutic riding at GMTRC in July 2019 after her mother, Kara Donatucci-Pham, researched the benefits of equine-assisted activities for children and adults with special needs. Like many families of people with disabilities, Connery has found friendship, confidence, and acceptance at GMTRC.

Since 1981, GMTRC has provided therapeutic equine-assisted activities to children and adults with special needs and other diagnoses. The $75,000 raised at the fundraiser will assist GMTRC in getting the more than 40 people on its waiting list into programming sooner.

In addition to therapeutic riding, GMTRC offers customized programming for special interest groups consisting of people who share a common interest but do not have a disability or diagnosis. Recently, GMTRC launched a free program for first responders and frontline workers who report ongoing trauma as a result of their COVID-19 experiences. There is additional availability for this program for interested parties in the spring of 2024. To learn more, visit http://www.greystonemanortrc.org or call 717-844-3941.