The cart before the horse; a sharingVillage Dilemma

sharingVillage is fortunate to have been given an extraordinary horse trailer, by an exceptional organization, "The United States Equestrian Team Foundation",  to carry our minis and carriages to children and hospitals in the tri-state region. but we have no vehicle to pull the trailer. 

USET Foundation Donates Trailer to sharingVillage's Driving For Surviving

GLADSTONE, NJ - July 24, 2008 - In a handing over the keys presentation on July 14, 2008, at its Gladstone headquarters, the USET Foundation donated its horse trailer to sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups, Inc., a unique 501c 3 non-profit organization based in Far Hills, NJ. sharingVillage offers complimentary self-help and educational programs to cancer patients and survivors. Part of its mission is to use animals to facilitate healing. The organization's Driving For Surviving is a pediatric oncology equestrian carriage driving program that offers children the opportunity to receive physical therapy in a new and fun way - they learn to drive miniature ponies and then put on special exhibitions and take part in local driving competitions.

"We're donating our trailer because we no longer have a need and sharingVillage can greatly benefit from having a trailer of this size," explained Maureen Pethick, USET Foundation Communications Coordinator. "Now they can transport their miniature ponies and equipment to the various areas where they run their program. It's always been a challenge getting the animals and equipment to the various locations where they run the program, compete and give exhibitions."

The most recent Driving for Surviving exhibition was held at the Garden State Horse Show in Augusta, NJ. Show jumping Olympian Beezie Madden participated in the event, riding along with one of the children.

"The kids in the program either have cancer or are in remission. It's a way for them to get out and have fun and be proud of themselves for learning something new," noted Pethick. "It also gives them physical therapy that they don't even realize they're getting. When you have radiation it can make your body weak. Rather than going to physical therapy and lifting weights, they're out there getting the therapy without realizing it."

The USET Foundation has been involved with sharingVillage since 2005. The Foundation donates the use of its Gladstone, NJ, facility to sharingVillage for the organization's annual fundraiser and has also hosted the Driving For Surviving program.

"If it weren't for the generosity of the USET Foundation we would not be able to have our children with cancer proceed with their hopes and dreams of competing in horse shows," said Shelley Zlotkin, co-founder and Executive Director of sharingVillage. "Our children's dreams could be realized thanks again to the Foundation's help."

Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive Director, said, "The USET Foundation is so pleased to be able to donate the trailer to an organization that gives these kids the means to achieve great things and inspire us all."

For more information about sharingVillage and Driving For Surviving please visit their website, www.sharingvillage.org.