The time has come again for Reins to Recovery Inc. Therapeutic Riding Center’s largest moneymaker.
The facility’s annual fundraiser, featuring dinner, live and silent auctions, face painting and a performance by an artistic horse, is set for 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus.
Admission is free, but free-will donations will be accepted for the dinner.
Money raised will help the nonprofit organization gain most of its operating funds to support its programs, including therapeutic riding, equine-assisted psychotherapy and equine-assisted learning for children and adults with disabilities, victims of violence and at-risk youth.
Since Reins to Recovery opened its doors in 2008 near Seymour, an annual fundraiser has been conducted in the summer.
Kristye Lewis, chairwoman of Reins to Recovery’s fundraising committee, said the event averages around 200 people, and the goal is to raise $12,000.
“We would just love to have them all come out and join us and have a good time,” she said. “It’s a nice family, casual event.”
Dinner will be available starting at 4 p.m., featuring pork barbecue sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, watermelon, cantaloupe, assorted desserts and drinks.
Justin the Artistic Horse will perform from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Lewis said weather prevented Justin from attending last year, but his owner, Adonna Combs, talked about what he does.
“We’re praying for nice weather so he can do his performance and paint us a nice painting,” Lewis said. “That is a very popular thing.”
The silent auction will close before Justin’s performance, while the live auction will start after the show and continue until the end of the event.
Lewis said she usually receives around 175 items for the auctions. Items include resort packages, restaurant gift cards, paintball packages, a photography package, tools and tickets to various area attractions.
“I’ve just got all kinds of stuff,” Lewis said. “I’ve got all price ranges, too. There’s a wide range.”
She starts asking for donations in January. Some people have heard of Reins to Recovery, while others are unfamiliar with the services it provides to the area.
“I really have to explain everything and what kind of population that we do help,” Lewis said. “For the most part, people are very apt to donate.”
Members of the Columbus Young Marines will help with various tasks Saturday, from taking people’s plates when they are done eating to helping with cleanup after the event.
Another upcoming fundraiser is the Giddy Up and Golf 18-hole golf scramble Sept. 23 at Seymour Country Club. The shotgun start is at 9 a.m.
The cost is $50 per player, including a golf cart and a meal. Payouts will go to the first-, second- and third-place teams, and there will be prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin.
There is a limit of 13 teams.
“We’re still looking for some hole sponsors and teams,” Lewis said. “We’ve got six hole sponsors and six teams.”
The scramble was conducted at Hickory Hills Golf Club in Brownstown in recent years but didn’t have a good turnout last year, so Lewis said they are trying a different location.
“We’ll see how that works with trying one here (in Seymour) and maybe trying to have two a year,” she said.
The annual fun show is planned for October, and a comedy show fundraiser will be in November. Details on those events will be released when they are available.
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What: Reins to Recovery Inc. Therapeutic Riding Center’s annual fundraiser, consisting of a dinner, live and silent auctions, face painting and a performance by an artistic horse
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday (dinner starts at 4 p.m.; Justin the Artistic Horse performance at 5:30 p.m.)
Where: Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, 750 W. County Road 200S, Columbus
Cost: Dinner is a freewill offering
Information: Calli Johnson, 812-350-4864
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What: Giddy Up and Golf 18-hole golf scramble
When: 9 a.m. Sept. 23
Where: Seymour Country Club, 1400 Shields Ave., Seymour
Cost: $50 per player, includes a golf cart and a meal (only 13 teams can play)
Registration: Kristye Lewis, 812-521-0901
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