For further information, contact: Marge Holden mholdit@hotmail.com or Katie Campbell kcglc12@yahoo.com

PRESS RELEASE:

MEMORIAL FUND

The Marines who died June 23, 1967 in a mid-air helicopter collision at New River NC MCAS are the inspiration for a special Memorial Fund dedicated to developing healing programs for families of fallen Marines as well as injured Marines and their families in the Jacksonville area. The Fund, started by the fallen Marines families, aims to assist Miracle Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center in their efforts to obtain the necessary equipment, staff and whatever needed to enable them to begin helping our Marine families as soon as possible. Their website is www.miraclemeadowstrc.org. Tax deductible donations as well as offers of in-kind contributions and assistance may be made to Miracle Meadows by telephoning 910-389-9726, 910-389-1959 or 910-938-9221.

Horses with hearts for healing have a proven track record of restoring emotional, mental and physical well-being to their riders. Families of people with disabilities of every age range seek out therapeutic riding centers for the professional expertise of Physical Therapists and Therapeutic Riding Instructors to provide an environment equipped to transform the world of their loved ones. What happens is nothing short of a miracle they say. Being able to ride a horse this way has seen the rider who no longer needs a wheelchair; a grown child who utters her first words to the horse; the building of confidence, self efficacy and self-worth. Smiles abound and excitement reigns in this atmosphere where riders bond with the horse, and the horse becomes the rider’s legs of empowerment. For decades, these centers have survived and thrived in many countries only as the result of extraordinary dedication of volunteers and generosity of donor funding.

Nationwide, therapeutic riding is set to play a key role in the treatment of wounded warriors and their families. According to a NARHA Press Release in April 2007, retired Navy Commander Mary Jo Beckman, a North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Advanced Instructor, conducted a Caisson Platoon pilot therapeutic riding program and was also instrumental in creating the Horses for Heroes Program which hopes to offer equine assisted activities to wounded personnel and veterans. For more info on the national planning, etc. see www.NARHA.org