August Volunteer Milestones

Big Cheers for Our August Volunteer Milestones! Every hour given and every year served powers our mission forward. This month, we’re thrilled to celebrate our volunteers marking 1, 3, and 5-year anniversaries, as well as those hitting major 100-hour and 300-hour milestones! We are so grateful for your passion, energy, and unwavering commitment.

Join us in thanking this month's milestone makers.

Elaine Milano 5 years & 1,425+ hrs
If you’ve ever worked alongside Elaine Milano, you know she’s truly top-tier! Marking 5 years and 1,425+ hours, Elaine really does it all. Flexible, deeply dependable, and always proactive, she seamlessly takes on leadership and head barn duties to keep everything running smoothly and effortlessly. Best of all, Elaine is consistently cheerful, positive, and a total joy to be around; she and the participants are always smiling throughout their time together! We are so lucky to have her, and we join everyone in celebrating this remarkable milestone!

Clara Wormann  3 Years & 350+ hours
One of our standout camp volunteers, who also steps up throughout the year, Clara brings endless fun, warmth, and a wonderful gift for connecting with campers of all abilities. Though she might prefer to stay out of the spotlight, her exceptional leading skills regularly put her right where she’s needed most: guiding the campers who rely on her extra care and patience. Thank you, Clara, for three incredible years of making camp a brighter place!

1 Year Anniversary
Anna Luiza Fiuza, Jill Jackson, Alessia Morgan, Nora Stashefski

100+ Hours
Hart Callanan, Karen Evans

Welcome NEW Volunteer
Chloe Iglesias

Tiles & Smiles - 2nd Mah Jongg Event

On July 9th, the Mane Stream office and lobby were filled with energy, conversation, and the lively clatter of tiles for our second official Mah Jongg fundraising event!

While a group of riders from Mt. Bethel was busy out in the barn, the lobby and main office were turned into game rooms, proving once again that we utilize every single inch of our facility. A total of 28 players, ranging from eager novices to seasoned pros, came together for the afternoon. It was a wonderful way for newcomers to learn about our work while playing alongside Board Members, volunteers, and parents of participants. Players stayed refreshed throughout the event thanks to a gorgeous grazing table and chilled beverages.

In total, the fun-filled afternoon raised $1,350, directly benefiting our programs. Thank you to everyone who played a hand in making our second Mah Jongg event such a success! And be on the lookout for the next Mah Jongg event!!

Take Your PT Skills Outdoors!

Fresh Air, Farm Terrain, Big Smiles: We’re Hiring a Part-Time Pediatric PT!

Maybe you are ready to trade four walls and fluorescent lights for fresh air and horses. Mane Stream is looking for a part-time PT who wants to bring their creative physical therapy skills to our unique farm environment. We’re searching for an NJ-licensed Physical Therapist with pediatric experience who thrives in non-traditional, active therapy settings. This position is part-time with hours on weekday afternoons or Saturday mornings. Pick a day of the week that works for you and treat 3 clients in a 3-hour slot, plus documentation.

Help us spread the word! Share this with a PT who loves a creative clinical challenge.

FIND OUT MORE

Mane Stream Pride Shines Bright at the USET

What a spectacular weekend it was at the historic United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation headquarters! After a few days of intense heat leading up to the event, Mother Nature smiled on us with a perfectly lovely, sunny, and beautifully breezy day for our Annual Horse Show.

The energy in the air was pure joy as 28 of our very own Mane Stream riders and 4 fantastic riders from our friends at TRAC (Therapeutic Riding at Centenary) took to the arena. Every single participant showed incredible sportsmanship, determination, and horse show spirit. Even more exciting, thanks to the immense generosity of our participants, families, and sponsors, the event raised nearly $30,000, shattering previous records for our annual show!

While every ribbon pinned was well-deserved, we want to give a massive round of applause to this year’s top award winners:

Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award: Joseph O’Leary
Gracie Memorial (High Point Youth Rider): Logan McGrory

Of course, none of those ribbons could have been awarded without our incredible judges, Hala Bailey and Lily Clair Hedley! They spent the entire day meticulously watching, evaluating, and scoring all 18 classes. Keeping focused through that many rounds is no small feat, and we are so grateful for their time, expertise, and dedication to giving our riders such a wonderful, encouraging show experience.

Putting on an event at a historic venue like USET takes a village, and our Mane Stream family absolutely showed up. A giant thank you goes out to our 28 dedicated Mane Stream volunteers who kept the day running seamlessly, from dawn until the final trailers were loaded. To keep everyone fueled, we treated our riders and guests to a yummy breakfast spread, followed by a delicious volunteer brunch, a small token of appreciation for the heavy lifting our team does!

It was also wonderful to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. Long-time Mane Stream riders came out to cheer on their friends, and even our farrier, who generously sponsored a division this year, dropped by to watch the action.

We were also incredibly honored to have Doug McCullough spend the day with us. Doug had a wonderful time watching the classes and chatting with our volunteers, staff, and parents. It was a beautiful reminder of how interconnected our local community is with global advocacy. (By the way, many of us on staff already have our copies of Doug's book on our shelves. How about you? If you haven't grabbed one yet, you definitely should!)

Finally, a huge shout-out to the four incredibly talented photographers who donated their entire day, and are currently spending hours editing to capture these memories for our families. We can’t wait to share even more photos with everyone soon. Keep your eyes peeled, because those beautiful shots will be coming your way shortly!

Thank you to everyone who rode, cheered, groomed, clapped, and supported our participants. You make the Mane Stream family what it is!

Winners Circle

Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award – Joseph O’Leary
Gracie Memorial (High Point Youth Rider) - Logan McGrory
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DIVISION 1
Champion – Lindsay Sabattis Reserve Champion – Cliff Murtha

DIVISION 2
Champion – Miles Carden Reserve Champion – Germaine Gunnell

DIVISION 3
Champion – Emily Kane Reserve Champion – Emily Boehmer

DIVISION 4
Champion – Logan McGrory Reserve Champion – Caitlyn Branch

DIVISION 5
Champion – Lucian Rodriguez Reserve Champion – Reagan Reed

DIVISION 6
Champion – Josh Ciccione Reserve Champion – Sara Reilly

DIVISION 7
Champion – Allie Harabin Reserve Champion – Grace I.

DIVISION 8
Champion – Joseph O’Leary Reserve Champion – Daisy DeSimone

DIVISION 9
Champion – Stella Andreski Reserve Champion – Liesel V.

HORSE SHOW SPONSOR
The Kamine Family, Karen & Steve Kaufhold, Emily Maillet Kellogg & Kirk Kellogg,
Pine Woods Farm, Red Tail Farm
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RIDER & VOLUNTEER BREAKFAST SPONSOR
FirstBank Charitable Foundation
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VOLUNTEER LUNCH SPONSOR
The Rogalin Family
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RIBBON SPONSOR
A Jersey Angel
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DECOR SPONSOR
BondVet
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PRIZE SPONSOR
Jen and Chris Backshall
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DIVISION SPONSORS
Baseline Farrier Service & Scott Previte CJF, Tess Coffey and the Coffey Family,
Elizabeth Henne, Ms. Jane E. Jermyn, KMS Farm, Somerset Grain and Feed,
Melissa & Norm Thomas, The Neville Family, The Zukowsky Family
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CLASS SPONSORS
Joyce Danelski, The Flanagan Family, Katherine “Chat” Hollerith,
Rosemarie Hunninghake, Patricia W. Illuzzi
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JUDGES
Hala Bailey and Lily Clair Hedley
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MANE STREAM VOLUNTEERS
Terri Andrechick, Cynthia Barkman, Jen Baumgartner, Terry Callahan, Eric Carlson, Jessie Crowell, Nancy Cunningham, Debi DeLorenzo, Laura Edelson, Bridget Eklund, Karen Evans, Calista Fenton, Andrea Greenspan, Nancy Grossweiler, Leroy Hunninghake, Karen Mikita-Kaufhold, Elaine Milano, Josephine Neville, Gretchen Oberfranc, Barbara Schaffer, Carole Strickroth, Karen Ricciardi, Kimara Ramsey, Brandon Robinson, Jill Rodgers, Clara Worman, Mary Ellen Yen, Karen Zavaglia
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PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIAL THANKS
Brian Greenspan, Jessica Sanders Photography, Jenna O’Connor, Wolfy
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TRAILERING SERVICES
Tom & Kathy Dermody
Greg Tucker

Moving Beyond Fluorescent Lights

The impact of Horses for Healing is like a breath of fresh air.

When our latest group of four Horses for Healing participants arrived at Mane Stream for their FREE five-week session, many didn’t know what to expect. Two of our riders weren't even sure if they’d physically be able to get on or off a horse. (But at Mane Stream, we have a variety of ways to make it happen!)

Over the course of five weeks of learning to groom, tack, and master the basics of riding, something incredible happened. They didn't just build physical strength and balance; they found a community. They found "quiet time" to focus on themselves, shared long talks in the parking lot, and became friends.

One of our participants put it beautifully:

"You really have no idea what it’s like to be able to be outside, exercising, practicing balance and hand-eye coordination, and feeling like you’re making progress finally, instead of being in yet another depressing PT setting with fluorescent lights overhead... One year ago, I could not participate or even imagine in my wildest dreams getting on a horse, much less riding one."

Every single rider progressed, grew stronger, and found their balance (with plenty of laughs along the way, courtesy of Instructor Kelly!). A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers who stayed with the same riders each week, building deep trust and camaraderie.

Want to learn more about how horses help heal? Check out our Horses for Healing page on the website.

It Takes a Village…

…and some amazing community service days!

Spring prep at Mane Stream is no joke, but our spring volunteer groups absolutely nailed it. Over the last two months, as the weather warmed up and we tackled various seasonal projects, we welcomed 60 volunteers over 4 separate days from Gill St. Bernard’s School, Liberty Mutual, and TEVA Pharmaceuticals (our double-visit superstars!).

As our needs changed, these groups were able to divide and conquer a mountain of tasks. They hauled heavy jumps into the arena, organized the Pony Palace, cleared out the sheds, and swept the hayloft. They also got down to the nitty-gritty: weeding, scrubbing stall walls, de-cobwebbing, cleaning paddock 5, and sanitizing our therapy clinic and toys.

There are far too many tasks for our small staff to tackle alone, which is why these Days of Service are so vital. But it's not all hard work! We always make sure our teams get to relax with lunch outside under the trees, take a walk around the pastures to meet the horses, and get all their questions answered.

Thank you all for giving back to Mane Stream!

Ready to get your team's hands dirty for a good cause? Reach out to volunteer@manestreamnj.org to book a Corporate/School Day of Service.

July Volunteer Milestones

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the amazing volunteers hitting major milestones this month, from reaching 100, 1,000, and an incredible 2,500 hours of service, to marking 3 and 5 years of dedication to our mission! Our volunteers truly are the heart of everything we do. We’ve featured several of these wonderful individuals in special spotlight articles, and we highly encourage you to click the links below to read their inspiring stories, learn more about their journeys, and join us in celebrating their remarkable commitment!

Join us in thanking this month's milestone makers.

Laura Edelson – 2,500 Hours
Janie Murphy – 1,000 Hours
Terry Callahan and Joseph O'Leary – 100 Hours
Laura Kinney and Elsa Huelsbergen – 5 Years
Andrea Greenspan, Wolfy, Shannon Santoro – 3 Years

Summer Daily Fun

Looking to fill a gap in your summer schedule?

We’ve got you covered, no matter what age your child is! Bring them over to Mane Stream for Summer Daily Fun, a morning packed with pony power for kids of ALL abilities! We're talking homemade horse treats, awesome arena games, painting a pony, and cooling off with sudsy horse baths. It’s all the best parts of camp packed into one incredible morning!

Check out our age-group line-up and plug a day into your calendar:

  • Mon, July 6 (9:30–11 AM) | Ages 4–6: A perfect intro for the little ones!

  • Tue, July 7 (9:30–11:30 AM) | Ages 7–11: High-energy games and grooming.

  • Wed, July 8 (9:30–11:30 AM) | Ages 12–13: The basics and beyond!

  • Fri, July 10 (9:30–11:30 AM) | Ages 7–11: Round two for the kids!

The Rules of Fun: Closed-toe shoes are required, and dress to get dirty & wet!

Cost: Only $35/participant! (We’ll email you the required forms right after you sign up)

Spaces fill fast! Tap HERE to lock in your child’s fun day.

Questions? Renae has answers! Reach out at RENAE@manestreamnj.org or 908-439-9636.

A Wealth of Experience Meets a New Passion

Turning Milestones into Magic: Meet Kim Wallace, MS, OTR/L

We are thrilled to introduce Kim Wallace, MS, OTR/L, who joined the Mane Stream team to lead our Pillar School OT sessions on Tuesday mornings. Kim also treats individual clients on weekday afternoons.

Kim is a seasoned therapist with over three decades of experience across an incredible range of settings, from the high-intensity environment of the NICU and acute care to private practice and early intervention. She is a lifelong learner, constantly adding to her toolkit with certifications in areas like primitive reflex integration.

The "Mane Stream" Spark

While Kim is a veteran in the clinical world, she is embarking on a new journey here: incorporating equine movement into her practice. For Kim, seeing the horse in action was a "lightbulb moment." She immediately recognized how the three-dimensional movement of the horse could be harnessed to achieve specific developmental milestones, sparking a level of creativity and excitement that traditional clinic walls simply can’t match.

“I am incredibly excited to be working at Mane Stream, a place I have admired for years,” Kim says. “Watching children arrive using walkers or wheelchairs and then sit upright on horseback, smiling and thriving, is nothing short of inspiring. Activities that support sensory integration and motor planning become even more impactful through the horse’s natural motion, providing unique vestibular and proprioceptive input that closely mimics walking.”

Creative Interventions, Personal Care

Known for her vibrant, outgoing personality, Kim doesn’t just "do therapy"; she designs it. She has a gift for creating purposeful, inventive interventions that make the hard work of reaching milestones feel like an adventure. Whether she’s brainstorming a new way to use the outdoor environment or collaborating with our "amazing, patient, and flexible" volunteers, Kim’s focus is always on providing comprehensive, personal care to our young clients.

At Home in the Community

Kim lives locally with her husband, two children, and two Labradors. She’s already diving into planning "fun fall activities" for our clients, and we can’t wait to see the creative energy she brings to the barn this season.

Please give a warm (and vibrant!) welcome to Kim next time you see her in the arena!

Building a Safer Mane Stream

Participant & volunteer safety - please read

Team, it’s time to put on your hard hats! Our top priority is keeping Mane Stream the safest barn in Jersey. In honor of National Safety Month, we are rolling out the blueprint for our top 6 safety protocols.

Safety isn’t just a checklist; it’s a team effort. This June, we’re asking our entire "herd" (parents, participants, and volunteers) to help us maintain a rock-solid foundation in the ring, the clinic, and the barn. Let's work together to keep our safety standards high!

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