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January
Greater Philadelphia Cares
Greater Philadelphia Cares continues to send volunteers to Pegasus on a bi-monthly basis to help with various jobs at the facility. Through the hard work of these individuals we are able to get many maintenance chores performed.
February
Annual Dinner/Dance
Our Annual Winter Dinner Dance was reformatted this year and became an event to honor the memory of the program’s founder, Carol Tatum. The semi-formal event which was held on February 5, 2007 at Knowlton Mansion in Northeast Philadelphia became known as the Carol Tatum Memorial Dinner Dance and Silent Auction. Over 200 people attended the event which featured over 60 silent auction items and 12 beautiful raffle baskets. The mistress of ceremonies was Dorothy Krysiuk from Fox TV. This fund raising event, which was combined with the Ad Book that had previously been attached to the now abandoned Benefit Horse Show, raised over $18,700.00 this year, is a substantial source of assistance for our winter operating budget and a wonderful opportunity for our riders and their families to socialize with the greater Pegasus community. The Pros, entertainment specialists, donated the DJ and have done so for several years. Our gratitude is extended to Dennis Tessler, the Pros’ CEO, for his generosity. We look forward to planning the event for 2008 and making it even bigger and better.
Chances Day
Chances Day, a program for adults with mental illness diagnoses, began riding at Pegasus. The group is instructed by Pam Albright and Berta Britz, NARHA certified instructors. They were excited about using our indoor arena and therapy horses that make suitable mounts for these riders. The program participants also are involved in the cleaning and tacking of the horses as well as doing other chores around the barn.
March
FreemanCamerata Benefit Concert
On March 3, 2007 a benefit concert was held for Pegasus featuring the music of Constance Kyriacos and Jonathan Miles Freeman. The event was held at Jacobs Music in Willow Grove, Pennsylvia.
Parelli Clinic
On March 18, 2007 Pegasus held a horse training clinic by Peter Fuller, a horse expert and trainer in “natural horsemanship”. The clinic, which used Pegasus horses, was attended by members of the local horse community and Huntingdon Valley Riding and Driving Association. It was also offered to the Pegasus volunteers free of charge as a continuing education experience.
NARHA Region 2 Conference
Executive Director, Barbara Wertheimer and Program Director Ami Ledesma attended the NARHA Conference on March 23-25, 2007 in State College, PA as part of their continuing education. This conference enabled them to establish contact with many of the people in the equine therapy world.
Scholarship Fund Fundraiser - Ancient Order of Hibernians
On March 25, 2007 the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mayfair Chapter, sponsored a Beef and Beer Fundraiser for the Pegasus Scholarship Fund. The entire event was organized by Kathy McKenna, the parent of one of our riders. This was the first event of this kind for Pegasus by the AOH who recently expressed an interest in sponsoring one of our riders. We thank the AOH for their support.
Camden County College
Each year an Animal Assisted Activities course is offered at Camden County
College. Professor Phil Arkow brings his students to Pegasus to observe
equine therapy in progress. A question and answer time is made available
as well as a tour of the facility. This program has been very successful
and continues each year.
April
National Volunteer Week - April 15-21, 2007
Pegasus celebrated National Volunteer Week by hanging a banner in the arena for the volunteers. In appreciation for their hard work, all volunteers were given a Pegasus 25th Anniversary T-shirt and treats were served throughout the week.
Pegasus Horse Show
On April 29, 2007 Pegasus held a horse show for all riders at the facility.
The event was
formatted to mirror able bodied horse shows and included seven different
levels with different classes within each level. All riders received blue
ribbons for participation and special awards of a non-competitive nature
i.e. best dressed, best smile, etc. were awarded. On hand to award the
ribbons were State Senator Michael Stack, State Representative John P.
Sabatina, Jr. and a representative from the office of Philadelphia Councilman
Frank Rizzo. Earlier that day over fifty fifth graders from Main Line
Reform Temple and their parents performed a volunteer clean up day and
helped prepare the facility for the show. Some of the children and their
parents stayed for the show and helped with the sales of shirts and refreshments.
May
Country Round Up Dance
On May 19, 2007 Pegasus sponsored a fundraising event for the Variety Club Summer Camp at Pegasus. Lee Richards from WXTU promoted the event and provided the musical entertainment. Pegasus provided the opportunity for people to take carriage rides on the property.
Therapeutic Riding Week – May 13-19, 2007
Pegasus celebrated Therapeutic Riding Week by hanging a banner in the arena so that everyone would be aware of the event. We also served refreshments for the riders and their families.
Widener Memorial School Event Fair
On May 23, 2007 Barbara Wertheimer, Executive Director, represented Pegasus at the Widener Memorial School Event Fair. This event served as an outreach activity so that parents of children with disabilities would learn about our program. It also enabled us to see many old friends and discuss with staff the possibility of expanding the Widener scholarship program.
Abington Senior High School Service Learning Day
On May 25, 2007 students from Abington Senior High School volunteered at Pegasus and helped with various spring cleaning chores and horse show preparations.
Handicapped Riding Event of the Devon Horse Show
On May 26, 2007 Pegasus attended the HRE at Thorncroft. We brought 6 riders and 3 horses. As always, this event is exciting for our riders and volunteers. All of the participants placed in the ribbons and displayed great poise and skill during this competition. We are very proud of all of the riders; they each demonstrated the finest qualities of sportsmanship and determination. This year we did not participate in the costume class due to the hectic scheduling of additional riders and horses. However, we outdid ourselves and won the Best Overall Picnic Prize in the Tailgate Competition which was themed “A Day at the Beach.” Lewis Smith, made a special appearance as our “lifeguard” watching over the event in his specially constructed lifeguard stand. . A special thank you to Jonathan and Joanne Smith for organizing the picnic lunch which was appreciated by all. We had a great time and plan to continue to enter these competitions each year.
Lower Moreland High School
As part of her senior year CAPS service project, a student worked at Pegasus for four weeks. She not only volunteered with therapy sessions, but also helped perform many maintenance tasks on the premises.
June
Petey
On June 26, 2007, Petey, one of our beloved therapy horses became seriously ill. After determining that he had a “flipped stomach” he was taken to Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center and had life saving surgery later that evening. After a recuperation period Petey was back in the program and we were delighted with his recovery. Shortly after his return home we started our “Pennies for Petey” campaign to raise funds to pay for the cost of his medical expenses and the response from our “friends” was overwhelming.
July
Variety Club
On July 9 through August 17, 2007 The Variety Club Summer Day Camp at Pegasus became a reality. The camp was located in the house on the premises and involved approximately 21 campers who were developmentally disabled teens. The riding component of the program involved having willing campers participate in therapeutic riding. Fourteen campers actually were involved with the riding and two campers who were deemed unsafe to ride participated in a “driving” activity with the horses and carriages. The program was a wonderful success and progress was observed within the short five week period. Pegasus hired camp counselors to assist with the equine therapy and provide horse handling and side walking assistance.
Camp Funday Visit
On July 19, 2007 developmentally challenged children who participate
in Camp Funday in
Abington, PA came to visit the horses at Pegasus. The activity was very
rewarding for the children who were able to interact with a group of our
horses inside the arena under the supervision of their staff.
August
Pegasus Camp Staff Swim Party
At the end of the camp program all of the Pegasus staff spent an afternoon swimming and relaxing while discussing the camp program and the manner in which it could be improved upon.
September
Pilot Autism Program
The Pilot Autism Program involving four children who were already participating in the Pegasus program began on September 17, 2007. The unique program involves both the riders and a parent in a series of exercises and activities that is specifically targeted for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The 8 week pilot program was funded by the Connolly Foundation and additional funding was obtained by the Build A Bear Foundation. The program has become a permanent Monday evening program and funding to expand the program is being sought.
United Way's Day of Caring
On September 19, 2007 volunteers from the Philadelphia Business Journal and the Fox Chase Bank painted the hallway, front waiting room and back meeting room as a project for United Ways Days of Caring.
Holy Ghost Prep Service Day
On September 28, 2007 over 25 students and parents from Holy Ghost Prep volunteered at Pegasus for a day of service. The students and parents participated in many different maintenance and clean-up jobs including putting a second coat of paint on the front waiting room area as well as outdoor maintenance tasks.
25th Anniversary Party
September 29, 2007 we held a 25th Anniversary Party at Pegasus for the riders, their families and the volunteers. Music was donated by a local DJ and members of the Abington Senior High School Key Club volunteered to serve and food and run the games and activities. The highlight of the evening was the wonderful photo backdrop painted by Sarah DelRicci that was used for pictures with our own miniature horse, Banjo.
October
Main Line Reform Temple Mitzvah Program
On October 16, 2007 Barbara Wertheimer spoke to two classes of fifth graders at Main Line Reform Temple who designated Pegasus for their annual Mitzvah (charity) project. She described the program and showed a short video and then answered questions from the students. During the year the students will raise money for Pegasus and do a volunteer day in the spring.
Abington Senior High School Senior Give Back Day
On October 18, 2007 eight seniors from Abington Senior High School volunteered at Pegasus as part of the annual Senior Give Back Day where seniors contribute five hours of community service. The young ladies who were present not only participated in lessons, but also helped with several long overdue maintenance chores.
Thorncroft Fall Horse Show
On October 21, 2007 four riders who had previously never competed at a horse show and two horses from Pegasus attended the Fall Horse Show at Thorncroft. Our riders performed admirably for their first showing.
Shavings Storage
Barbara Wertheimer and Sarah DelRicci originally met with representatives of the Fairmount Park Commission in April to review our plans for a shavings storage “structure” on the premises. Previously, the shavings had been stored in the arena. However, it was determined that they were doing damage to the walls and using valuable space. After consideration of several possibilities it was determined that a large three sided block “structure” would serve our need while being the least obtrusive. The “structure” was completed and will be painted to blend in with the surrounding foliage and a planted buffer will be installed as per the recommendations of the Park Commission.
November
Roman Catholic High School Alumni Assn. Holiday Raffles
Pegasus participated in the Roman Catholic High School Alumni Assn. Holiday Raffle fundraiser. Raffle books were distributed to all interested parties and Pegasus received 70% of the proceeds collected. This was the second time we participated in this easy fundraiser that was brought to our attention by former Board Member, Gene Murray.
7th District Police Advisory Council
Pegasus joined the 7th District Police Advisory Council and Executive Director, Barbara Wertheimer attended the first meeting and met with many representatives of groups in our area. We are pleased to be associated with the Advisory Council and look forward to our continuing relationship.
Fairmount Park Commission Celebration of Stewardship
On November 29, 2007 Executive Director, Barbara Wertheimer and Equine
Director, Sarah DelRicci attended the Fairmount Park Commission Celebration
of Stewardship at the Horticultural Center. It was a wonderful opportunity
to see the Park Commissioners and staff who have been so very helpful
to Pegasus over the years.
December
Ancient Order of Hibernians Scholarship Fund Beef and Beer
For the second time this year the Mayfair Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians sponsored a Beef and Beer fundraiser to benefit the Pegasus Scholarship Fund. This event which was held on Sunday, December 2, 2007 was well attended with several local political representatives making appearances as guest bartenders. Original plans to have our miniature horse, Banjo, present for photo opportunities was cancelled due to inclement weather. The AOH raised sufficient funds to sponsor a young lady who resides in a residential facility with riding lessons for an entire year. This event was supported by many groups at the AOH including the Ladies’ Group and the Children’s Group.
PATH Volunteer Program
Pegasus made arrangements with PATH to sponsor a mentally retarded adult
to do volunteer work at our facility one morning a week. Initially, he
will be accompanied by a PATH counselor who will help guide him through
the tasks which will primarily be cleaning the waiting room, bathrooms
and office areas.
Major Maintenance Projects
During 2007 the following maintenance projects were performed on the premises:
- Installation of a shavings storage “structure”
- New hot water heater for the barn
- New heat pump for rear office area
- Installation of new carpeting and repainting of front office
- Painting of front waiting area, hallways and rear meeting room
- Installation of washer and dryer in barn
- Mold removal and abatement in basement of house
- Termite treatment and damage repair in house
- Rebuilding of front porch of house
- Installation of new bathroom vanity and sink in house
- Replacement of cracked bathroom sink in house
- Waterproofing of basement walls in house
- Repair of downspouts for house
- Removal of large dead tree from premises
