Staff and volunteers, from left, in back are: Tyler Muka, Maleri Kelsey, Savannah Chicora, Jean Lozier, Donna Sedota, Alison Mitchener, Olivia Shearer, Grace Graham. In front are Claudia Monroe, Holly Reslink. Missing from photo: Khloie Ayers.

Many people don’t truly understand the importance of something until it becomes personal, either to themselves or someone they know. That is even true for me, and I focus my time and energy on what makes the greatest difference, based on my perceptions. I am fortunate to know how important Centaur Stride is to the people who have benefitted from the services, both through observation and testimonies.

We have had so many others who have helped us along the way, and have some great things going on right now.

The E.A.S.E. Growth Program (Equine Assisted Social Emotional Growth) was just launched on April 10. We are currently accepting registrations for the new session. Centaur Stride also has two new programs currently in development.

We are recruiting for a Program Director, a vital role for the successful launch of the new programs and critical for program cohesion for existing programs as we grow. Please send letter of interest to info@centaurstride.org.

June 11 was CHQ Give Big Online Fundraiser hosted by the Chautauqua Region

Community Foundation (CRCF). It was a day for the community to give freely to support

the 141 non-profits in Chautauqua County who registered for this fundraiser. In one

sense, it is a measure of what is important to the people of our community, and how many people show their support. Even small donations add up and increase the chances for bonus funding or matching gifts. Centaur Stride is so grateful for those who donated, to the CRCF for making it possible, to all the corporate donors for the incentives, for Holly Reslink for managing the online account, and especially for Donna Sedota, our summer volunteer from Texas, who spends summers in Chautauqua County, and who provided $5000 in matching funds for all who donated to Centaur Stride for this CHQ Give Big Fundraiser. In total, $6,488 was raised with 26 donors.

We have a second chance in July to raise more money through the WNY 716 Bills-Sabres fundraiser. Follow us for details.

Centaur Stride relies on the generous donations and volunteers to operate.

The care, feeding, training and health of our horses takes the greatest percentage of our operating funds. Besides staff wages, there are the operating costs of the facility, as well as repairs, upkeep and the unexpected surprises.

The satisfaction of providing our services is felt by all the volunteers and staff who are instrumental in making it possible.

Nonprofits and the services they provide are important to those they serve, even if it is

not yet personal for you. Give where you can, when you can. It is in giving that you

receive the best of what life has to offer, even if you don’t yet consciously know what that is.

Come visit us and feel, see and experience what we do. It may change your life. It certainly does for all that come here.

Horses are so amazingly therapeutic on so many levels. And the number of people affected over our 34-year history is significant. Are there testimonials besides what I have witnessed and yet to write about? If you have a personal testimonial, please write it out and send to info@centaurstride.org. Thank you for your support! Linktr.ee/centaurstride

Claudia Monroe is president and founder of Centaur Stride.