Mirror publisher Dan Slep and Jodi Cessna, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation, presented Dreams Go On program manager Debbie Kelly with the check Thursday afternoon.

“It’s like my dream is coming true,” Kelly said after opening the envelope and discovering the generosity provided by donors. (See the list of past Season of Sharing recipients and this year’s contributors on Page A7).

“We are thrilled the community rallied around Dreams Go On,” Slep said. “This program and so many others often get overlooked, but they provide valuable services to the community.”

This year’s campaign brought in its third-highest total, Cessna said, as the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society received about $74,000 in 2025 and the Altoona Food Bank received about $60,000 in 2020.

A horse and rider weather vane can be seen atop the new barn being constructed at Dreams Go On, which offers programming to help physically and/or emotionally challenged community members through therapeutic horseback riding lessons. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

In addition, this year’s fundraiser, the 21st since its inception in 2005, helped the Mirror’s Season of Sharing pass the half-a-million mark in donations earmarked for nonprofits.

Cessna said the Dreams Go On campaign received a boost with one donation of $25,000. About 162 donors contributed to the Season of Sharing effort with an average gift of $143, she said.

The Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation administers the Season of Sharing fund, and Cessna said they received many $50 and $100 donations this season, along with some donations reaching the hundreds, but she noted that every donation makes a difference, no matter the size.

The Season of Sharing campaign has become a tradition for some, she said, because “we have people who give every year to every cause, and we have new people who learn about it.”

Kelly said the funds received by Dreams Go On will be used toward the construction of their new barn, which is expected to be ready for use by May.

The new Dreams Go On barn, at 206 Dream Road, off Turkey Valley Road in Hollidaysburg, will feature an indoor and outdoor ring, observation room, 12 stalls and a hypo-allergenic floor to alleviate participant and horse allergies. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) program, Dreams Go On has provided therapeutic horseback riding lessons for physically and/or emotionally challenged individuals for more than 35 years. They regularly rely on grants and donations to keep doors open at their current location, a shared facility at Lakeview Stables, near Canoe Creek.

In 2020, Dreams Go On purchased a 14.5-acre parcel along

Turkey Valley Road in Frankstown Township. The township was awarded a $1 million grant on behalf of Dreams Go On for construction and engineering costs to construct a barn with an indoor riding facility.

The barn, at 206 Dream Road, off Turkey Valley Road in Hollidaysburg, will feature an indoor and outdoor ring, observation room, 12 stalls and a hypo-allergenic floor to alleviate participant and horse allergies. In addition to outdoor pastures, there will be an indoor horse washing station and a lift to help riders mount.

“We hope this successful campaign provides Dreams Go On with the financial boost it needs to accelerate the construction of the new barn,” Slep said.

Construction continues for the new barn at Dreams Go On. The organization regularly rely on grants and donations to keep doors open at their current location, a shared facility at Lakeview Stables, near Canoe Creek. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

With the new barn and facilities, Kelly said Dreams Go On will be able to expand their services.

Cessna said she has seen the positive effects of therapeutic horseback riding firsthand. Her daughter’s childhood friend was in a wheelchair, and she was able to run for the first time in her life after taking part in the program at High Hopes, which later merged to become Dreams Go On.

“This organization allows people to do things that they couldn’t otherwise do that so many of us take for granted,” Cessna said.

Kelly said the fundraising campaign offered through Season of Sharing did more than help raise money — it helped bring awareness of the program to the community.

The campaign helped “residents recognize Dreams Go On and what ways the program can serve people,” Kelly said.

A proposed office area is seen at the Dreams Go On barn. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“We want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who donated,” Slep said. “When we all work together, we can make great things happen.”

Nominations for a new Season of Sharing recipient will be accepted later this year.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.

Dreams Go On program manager Debbie Kelly (left) reacts as Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation Executive Director Jodi Cessna read the check total of $48,183. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski