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Trail ride, walk raises $29,256 for Dreams Go On

Courtesy photo Celebrating a Successful $29,256.41 raised for Dreams Go On at the 2019 Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride and Trail Walk are (from left): P. Joseph Lehman Jr., president, Lehman Engineers; and Brenda Fix, DGO treasurer, with representatives from the top fundraising team: SFU Phi Lambda Psi members (front row): Kelly Brown, Meghan DeFrancesco, Vanessa Wissinger, Gillian Elliot and Megan Edmiston; (back row): Abigail Lapid, Cassandra Caparo and Ashley Astle; Deb Kelly, DGO program director; and Joe Murgo, chief meteorologist at WTAJ-TV, celebrity emcee.

HOLLIDAYSBURG — The 13th annual Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride & Trail Walk to benefit Dreams Go On was held Oct. 6 at Canoe Creek State Park.

The event generated a record $29,256.41 for Dreams Go On, a nonprofit therapeutic Horseback riding organization for adults and children who are physically challenged, receive mental health and behavioral health or family therapy services.

Joe Lehman Jr., president of P. Joseph Lehman Inc. Consulting Engineers, said, “We are thrilled to help Dreams Go On again this year and are grateful for the many sponsors and volunteers who join us to make this event a success. Dreams Go On helps many individuals in our area by providing a unique and rewarding opportunity in nature while building their self-esteem. They provide the riders and their families a rewarding and peaceful environment to soar. Our thanks go out to all who volunteered and participated at the event.”

Riders and walkers at the event had the opportunity to meet 11-year-old Anna Gority, the 2019 Dreams Go On ambassador, who has been riding with since she was 5 years old. The Dreams Go On Celebrity Emcee, Joe Murgo, chief meteorologist at WTAJ-TV, along with Marty Malone, Lehman Engineers director of client services, and Debbie Kelly, program manager for Dreams Go On, hosted the early morning activities.

Memorial tributes were also held for Melinda Little, Janet Thompson and Robert McMillan for their dedication and support to Dreams Go On. While their families looked on, student volunteers placed flowers on Canoe Lake in honor of their memory and distinguished service.

All trail riders and walkers received a free event T-shirt and a barbecue chicken lunch, provided through the generosity of Imler’s Poultry. Other in-kind food donations came from the generosity of the following sponsors: Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, Blair County Beverage, Roaring Spring Water and Ruth Keller’s homemade cookies.

The event also featured a silent auction with items donated by volunteers, sponsors and more than 75 area businesses. Children participated in many arts and crafts and face painting. The children’s activity area, event set up, registration, trail guidance and many other aspects of the event was staffed by the event committee and 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 team award was given to Saint Francis Phi Lamb-da Psi ladies for their $2,543 contribution.

The top individual fundraising award went to Whitney Mussel-man with a $690 donation.

Second and third place were awarded to Pam Wilt and Amy Robison with $310 and $245.

Awardees received prize packs from Best Way Pizza, Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, Marzoni’s Brick Oven & Brewing Co. and DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash.

Event photos can be viewed at: https://joelehman.smugmug.com/Lehman-Engineers-Trail-Ride

-Walk/.

Deb Kelly, program manager for Dreams Go On, said, “Dreams Go On is blessed to have the support of Lehman Engineers. Each year, we are so impressed with the creativity and hard work that is put into this event.”

The 2019 Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride and Trail Walk Committee included Betsy Lehman and Sherrie Ayers who served as co-chairs, Ashley O’Neil, Denise Lear, Tiffany Bryant, Joe Lehman, Marty Malone, Annette Lehman, Nancy Baker, Laura Koss, Melinda McEldowney, Brenda Fix and Deb Kelly.

The 2020 Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride and Trail Walk will take place Sept. 27. Contact Deb Kelly at dkelly1006

@atlanticbb.net to learn how to become a therapeutic horseback riding volunteer and visit www.DreamsGoOn.com for more information.

The therapeutic horseback rides will resume in March.

The 2019 sponsors were:

Barn Sponsors — The DeGol Organization and DeGol Carpet; Holliday Real Estate; and Imler’s Poultry.

Horseshoe Sponsor — Smith Transport.

Stirrup Sponsors — St. Michael The Archangel Parish; Young, Oakes, Brown and Co., P.C.; Hoss’s Steak and Sea House; Encompass Health; Congressman John Joyce, 13th District; Ketrow Kurtz Travel; Kodiak Field Services; Link Computer Corp.; DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash; Juniata Troutfitters; Prime Design Solutions, The Press Box; and Best Way Pizza of Hollidaysburg and Duncansville.

Mane Sponsors — Altoona First Savings Bank; Arrow Land Solutions; Edgar Snyder & Associates; Harcon Corp., Bridge Access Service; Homewood at Martinsburg; Kiwanis Club of Altoona; Reliance Bank; Seltzer Financial Strategies; Structural Fiberglass Inc.; The Allegheny Club of Hollidaysburg; UPMC Altoona; Ward Transport & Logistics Corp; Sheetz Inc.; Acorn Markets Inc.; Blair Companies; Gwin, Dobson & Foreman Inc.; Roaring Spring Water; The Jane and Lee Hite Family; Urban & Blattenberger, PC; 1st Summit Bank; French Engineering, LLC; NPC Inc.; The Markosky Engineering Group Inc.; Carol Myers Confidential Insurance Consulting Inc.; Grove Miller Engineering Inc; RADD Development Co.; Looks Hair Design; PC Works Plus; Dr. Joan Bartolotta Optometrist of Roaring Spring and Ebensburg; and Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites Altoona.

Other supporters — Ameriserv; American Geotechnical & Environ-mental Services; Buccinese Society; A & A Insurance; Bill Wertz & Sons Inc.; Doctors of Optometry, Drs. Centar, Imler, Gjurich and Caldwell; John and Donna Gority (in honor of Anna Gority); Burgmeier’s Hauling Inc.; Fraternal Order of Eagles; Ritchey’s Dairy; Wix Pix Productions; New Look Uniform & Embroidery Inc.; Top 10 Salon; and Emmaus Counseling Services, LLC.

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