On a beautiful May afternoon a crowd gathered in High Hopes new Legacy Garden for its dedication. The garden (pictured at left) features a small magnolia tree that will be majestic in years to come.
Winding paths made of bricks also serve to memorialize the names of individuals who have made a bequest to High Hopes in the past, as well as honor individuals who have joined the Legacy Society.
Installed in the fall, the garden was created with the generosity of the Richard P. Garmany Fund of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, as well as a hardworking crew from Shoreline Landscapes and a team of remarkable High Hopes volunteers.
High Hopes Executive Director Kitty Stalsburg welcomed the attendees and introduced David Polk and Maggie Willard from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving that oversees the Garmany Fund. Alice Fitzpatrick, President of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, spoke about the benefits of planned giving, citing examples of local residents whose thoughtful endowments have contributed to the lives of area residents throughout the years.
The Legacy Society was launched last year as the keystone of High Hopes’ planned giving program. To date, 29 High Hopes friends have signed Statements of Intent, which denotes their intent to include High Hopes in their estate plans. Their planned support will help High Hopes ensure its financial security and ability to continue to serve the broadest possible community.
For more information about the Legacy Funds and Legacy Garden at High Hopes, contact Kitty Stalsburg, Executive Director, or Sara Qua, Development Director.
Editor’s Note: High Hopes is one of the oldest and largest therapeutic riding centers in the United States, operating since 1974 and accredited by PATH Intl. (formerly the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) since 1979. Annually, High Hopes serves over 1,700 individuals.
Assisted by over 600 volunteers and a herd of 26 horses specifically trained for therapeutic riding, High Hopes is committed to providing the highest quality of services to the community. Of the more than 800 programs that are members of PATH Intl., High Hopes is one of only six centers in the United States approved by PATH Intl. to provide their training courses in therapeutic riding instruction and has trained instructors from all over the world.
High Hopes is located at 36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371.
