How Does SMILES Use Their L.E.O. Funds?

ABOUT SMILES:

SMILES (Special Methods In Learning Equine Skills) improves the lives of children and adults with all types of disabilities and special needs, through a partnership with horses.  This partnership takes on many forms and produces a wide array of positive results - emotionally, medically, educationally, and functionally.  Through therapeutic riding, Hippotherapy, barn activities and the HEARTS program, participants become engaged in learning, games, socialization, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapies.  Their Equiine Assisted Learning Program also partners with school districts to assist children at risk of failing due to special needs, behaviors or self-esteem problems.

The Geneva National Golf Club and The Geneva National Foundation have been a driving force behind SMILES' ability to create a year-round, therapeutic riding program for its clients.  Through the Golf Club's support from 2000 to 2004, and the GNF's continued support over the past 5 years, a program that had been operational only 8 months of the year quickly became a year-round program where uninterrupted service has allowed a more constant progression for their riders.

The Geneva National Foundation has raised $283,200 for SMILES since 2007.

-Paid down the mortgage, and eventually paid it off.

-Additional rider scholarships were provided.

-A geothermal heating & cooling system removed the need for canceled classes due to heat or cold.

-Rubber matting of the mounting area for safety, and handicapped-accessible doors were added.

-A carport with paved driveway and parking lot were added for further ease and accessibility.

-Office/therapy/conference area was remodeled to better serve staff and volunteers.

-Installed automatic watering systems, fencing & shelters for rotating their horses.

-Purchased horses that have specific body and gait types to accommodate different therapeutic riding needs.

Plans for the 2011 L.E.O. Funds:

The funds from the 2011 L.E.O. will allow SMILES to acquire the building they need to store and protect their equipment.  It will also allow them to complete the excavation needed in the horse paddock area to control storm water run-off, eliminating flooding of the arena and barn areas. ($32,800)