OSWEGO, NY – The Harmony Riders Association want you to “Saddle Up” for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The St. Jude Trail Ride is being planned for June 28.
Harmony Riders Association will hold its third annual “Saddle Up for St Jude’s†trail riding event at the club’s grounds in Parish.
A pig roast dinner will be held at 6 p.m. to raise additional funds for St. Jude’s, according to Wendy Page, an association member.
“By participating in or attending this event, you will help raise funds for the world’s premier pediatric cancer research center,” she said. “Other fund-raising events are also being planned. We will be doing a fund-raiser at Fajita Grill in Fulton, but I’m still confirming the date.”
All funds raised will help St. Jude in its ongoing fight against childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases, Page added.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Founded by the late Danny Thomas, and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude’s freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world.
St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.
Page and her family are members of Harmony Riders Association, located in Parish.
“We have been members for about five years now. We currently own three horses and a pony; and we love to show and ride together. We also enjoy the privilege of camping / riding at Harmony on non-event weekends, and spending time with friends and family there (This privilege is part of membership),” she said.
Harmony has members from all over the region, including Syracuse, Liverpool, Oswego, Fulton, Sterling, and other places, she added.
They are a diverse group, but share a love of horses and the outdoors, she explained.
Harmony tries to center activities around the family and family values.
Activities include monthly shows in the summer (open to the public) and trail rides in the spring and fall.
Members do all the work and upkeep on the grounds as well as running the shows and operating the kitchen, Page explained.
Representatives from St. Jude’s hospital contacted them in 2006 regarding the Saddle Up program, Page said. Her mother, Elizabeth, was their primary contact.
“We felt it was another great opportunity for Harmony families to work together to promote both riding and community service,” Page said. “St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital provides invaluable aid to families of children with serious illnesses at no cost to the families, regardless of their insurance or ability to pay. St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital is one of the world’s leading centers for the study and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children.”
2006 was their first ride, she said.
Many of their riders were members, but several others were not, she pointed out.
“People joined together to get sponsors for the event. Many sponsors simply gave a flat donation, and some pledged per mile. We plan for about 10 miles, and split this up into two rides,” she said.
The first ride begins in the morning and the second is in the afternoon.
Following the rides, the participants gather together for a celebration.
They give out door prizes and draw some raffles, all of which are donated by businesses, organizations or members.
In 2006, they were able to send St. Jude a check for approximately $4,200.
“Last year, we made about $4,500. This year, we hope to raise $5,000,” Page said.
The community has been very supportive of the vent the past two years, she said.
St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization, through events such as Saddle Up for St. Jude and generous donations from community members.
The children’s hospital is a wonderful organization and the association’s members want to do as much for them as possible, according to Page.
“I know that I can’t lead research and development to stop the horrible illnesses facing our children, but I can put the money into the hands of those who can,” she said.
For more information about the trail ride, fundraisers, pig roast, or to obtain sponsor sheets and participate in the trail ride, contact Liz or Wendy Page at 342-8314, or via email at [email protected] or visit www.harmonyriders.org
For more information about St. Jude’s Hospital, please visit www.stjude.org
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