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MAX is the CH&H - "RUN for the ROSES"WINNER !
WITH YOUR GENEROUS HELP...Max took an early lead & never looked back !
Honorary Chairperson
Robert G. Cooper, President/CEO
Johnson, Morgan, & White
Max & Tom say "Thank You" ... to all for your great support.
The little guy raised almost $2500 for the kids....
and led the pack the entire way!.... Nice job Max !
Nice job ......everyone !!
Order of Finish
Win - Max - Tom Newbery (we left them in our dust)
Place - Dakota - Neil Austrian
Show - Beau Tie - Hannah Bentz
4th - Brag About - Robert Cooper
5th - Show Stomper - Janice Williams
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Whenever we see an image of one of history's great leaders posed on the back of a mighty steed, we are reminded that horses have long been viewed as symbols of strength and power. Today, thanks to the efforts of an innovative nonprofit organization in Palm Beach County, Florida, another characteristic has been added to these familiar attributes: HOPE.
Children, Hope & Horses reaches out to some of our most fragile young people-those who have suffered abuse, neglect, and even abandonment in their first years of life. As a result of these traumatic experiences, many of these children develop Attachment Disorders (ADs), which are manifested by the inability to form natural bonds or relationships within families, communities and society.
As these troubled children grow, they often become withdrawn, untrusting, detached, and frequently, aggressive or even violent. Inhibited by an inability to bond, the children will not let people get close to them emotionally. Sadly, unless AD children are given opportunities to heal, they have little chance of developing into happy and productive adults.
By introducing boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 17 to sensitive, non judgmental, and trusting horses, this downward spiral can be interrupted. With the support of dedicated equine professionals, therapists, and volunteers, Children, Hope & Horses provides a foundation for healing to begin. |
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| Remarkably, this program is provided free of charge to children and families who often have nowhere else to turn. We invite you to join this important effort by making a contribution to support Children, Hope & Horses - and giving a child the "Wings to Fly." Please look around our website to learn about our Program and learn how you can help support our work.
IN THE NEWS
Children, Hope & Horses Selected as a South Florida Hunter Jumper Association Charity Show Beneficiary
Gunston Day School students raised money for Children, Hope & Horses
A NOTE FROM TOM, LAURA'S FATHER
Yes.... this is a snapshot of Tom and his pal ....
a very special "steed"..... named, Max. Max's full name is "Max is Worth a Milion".... and, according to Tom this is the reason he is so special......
Max is a full grown, 3 year old miniature horse who has a lot in common with the kids he is helping to heal.
You see, Max, like all the kids a "Children, Hope and Horses".... was abused and neglected. Max was found, skinny and malnourished, tied to a tree on a short four (4) foot line that barely gave him enough slack to eat the meager and moldy rations he occasionally was fed and to get a drink of dirty water out of an
algae polluted trashcan lid.
Poor little Max was wearing a halter (like the blue one in the picture) that he had long since outgrown and was so tight it was growing into his flesh. Needless to say, when he arrived, the children in our program were immediately drawn to him.... but, Max would have nothing to do with them...or, anybody.
Just like our kids when they arrived, he was not able to trust ! He would not let anyone near him. He was afraid of everyone..... especially the big people.
This is where the similarities diverge. Max, like all horses, is very intuitive by nature
and has a "sixth sense" that alerts him to "friend or foe". All horses need that instinct in the wild and Max is no different.....but, that is a big advantage. His recovery has been nothing short of astounding.
The kids can see that he is healing. Max is becoming a real 'social' animal these days .... (look at how close we are in the photo) and, he will even come over to say hello when the kids come these days. And, this is why "Max is Worth a Million" !!! What an example Max has been for them. |
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They watch as he progresses and as he gets better and more confident ...he is pulling them along ! ...... Priceless !
His (& our) next BIG challenge will be the CH&H "RUN for the ROSES" on May 2nd. SAVE THE DATE .... That is DERBY DAY... ! It is a BIG day for us.... Max & me....
and, we would like you to be part of it ! It's time to feed Max...so, I have to go & do it ..... not just because he is hungry, but, because that is one part of the 'trust' issue that is so fundamental to the program's success ...
and, what's more, the kids are watching Max!
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