Event raises $22,385 for Dreams Go On
Lehman Engineers sponsors annual trail ride, walk at Canoe Creek State Park
HOLLIDAYSBURG — The 10th annual Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride & Trail Walk to benefit Dreams Go On was held on Sept. 5 at Canoe Creek State Park.
The event generated a record-breaking $22,385.46 for Dreams Go On, a nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding organization for adults and children who are physically challenged, receive mental health, behavioral health or family therapy services.
Joe Lehman Jr., president of P. Joseph Lehman Inc., Consulting Engineers, said, “This event is near and dear to our hearts at Lehman Engineers. Many of our employees work for many months behind the scenes and on the planning committee to organize and improve the event each year.
“We believe in the mission of Dreams Go On and are pleased to support this unparalleled therapeutic horseback riding program founded by my sister, Sue Lehman. It’s important to our family to support this activity that helps so many young people in our area.
“There’s no better way to lift the spirits of a child or young adult than to place them on a horse. I am very grateful to be able to continue to help Dreams Go On and appreciate the many sponsors that come back year after year.”
Riders and walkers at the event had the opportunity to meet Tomasz Dorabiala and Aaron Rose, the 2016 Dreams Go On Trail Ride & Trail Walk Ambassadors.
Both riders have been taking therapeutic horseback riding lessons for more than 15 years together. The Dreams Go On celebrity emcee, Joe Murgo, chief meteorologist at WTAJ TV, along with Betsy Lehman, event chairwoman and special projects director at Lehman Engineers, and Debbie Kelly, program manager for Dreams Go On , hosted the early morning activities.
Riders enjoyed a 2.5-hour trail ride led by Dreams Go On therapeutic riding instructor, Karen Strayer. All trail riders and walkers received a free event T-shirt.
Event participants and riders from the Dreams Go On therapeutic program and their parents or guardians were also invited to a barbecue chicken lunch provided by Imler’s Poultry.
Landon Focht of Imler’s Poultry led a team to barbeque the chicken on location the morning of the event.
Other in-kind food donations and talent to support the event came from the following sponsors: Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, Sheetz, Blair County Beverage, Roaring Spring Water, Troutfitters, The Press Box and Prime Design Solutions. Ruth Keller baked cookies for all participants.
The Sheetz Brothers Coffee Truck provided free coffee, smoothies and MTO milkshakes to event volunteers and participants. The Sheetz Coffee Truck staff also collected donations for Dreams Go On at the mobile beverage station.
The event also featured a silent auction with items donated by volunteers, sponsors and area businesses. Children participated in many arts and crafts, as well as face painting. The children’s activity area, event set up, registration, trail guidance and many other aspects of the event was staffed by Dreams Go On volunteers and 30 student volunteers from Saint Francis University sorority Phi Lambda Psi and Penn State Altoona Sheetz Fellows.
Registered trail riders and walkers were asked to hold fundraisers and collect donations and pledges for the event.
The top fundraising trophy in the individual category for the horse trail ride was presented to Pam Wilt with a $115 donation.
Second- and third-place trophies were awarded to Karen Anderko and James Kensinger with $100 and $30, respectively.
The top fundraising horseback riding team trophy was given to Team Path Valley Saddle Club for its $410 contribution. The team included Chrissy Knight, Norma Shoop and Carol Daniel.
The top fundraising trophy in the individual category for the trail walk was presented to Daniel Weitzel with a $152 donation. Second- and third-place trophies were awarded to Anna Gority and Sophia McMillan with $100 and $95, respectively.
The top fundraising trail walk team trophy was awarded to Team Rose, represented by Dave, Cathy and Aaron Rose with a $120 donation.
With a score of 34, Paul Vaughn won the disc golf contest and prize pack from Point of Fitness and Comfort Inn of Altoona.
The 2016 Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride and Trail Walk Committee included Betsy Lehman, Sherrie Ayers, Ethan Weyant, Allan Derr, Tiffany Bryant, Annette Lehman, Rhonda Burchfield, Laura Koss, Brenda Fix, Deb Kelly and Terry Wasovich.
The title sponsor was P. Joseph Lehman Inc. The 2016 horseshoe sponsors were Smith Transport, Inc. and Holliday Real Estate, LLC.
Stirrup sponsors included HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona, The Markosky Engineering Group, Empower Business Solutions, Young Oakes Brown and Co.; Kohl’s Department Stores, M&T Bank and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
T-shirt sponsors included French Engineering LLC, Bill Shuster for Congress Committee, Ameriserve Bank, DeGol Carpet, Wolf Furniture, The RADD Development Co., Bartolotta Vision Care, the Kiwanis Club of Altoona and 1st Summit Bank.
Dream Trail Marker sponsors included Drenning Leasing Inc., Seltzer Financial Strategies, Ward Transport & Logistics, Stuckey Ford and Subaru, Homewood at Martinsburg, Sheetz Inc., S&T Bank, Cesare Battisti Mutual Benefit Association, NAC Inc., Reclamere Inc., The Hite Co., Saint Francis University, Comfort Inn/Comfort Suites of Duncansville and Altoona, Grove Miller Engineering, Urban & Blattenberger, PC, and Clearfield Bank and Trust.
Many other businesses and individuals supported the event and contributed to the auction.
To volunteer with Dreams Go On or for more information, visit DreamsGoOn.com.
The therapeutic horseback rides will resume in March.