Therapeutic Equestrian Center Surpasses Fundraising Goals at 2014 TEC Fest
The Therapeutic Equestrian Center (TEC) would like to thank our community for making TEC Fest 2014 the most successful year yet, raising just over $10,500. TEC Fest 2014 expanded this year from a small annual cornhole tournament at the TEC barn in Watervliet to include a chip-timed 5K, 10-mile bicycle ride, and charity motorcycle ride. Results from the 5K, organized by the SWMI RACERS (Southwest Michigan Red Arrow Club for Endurance, Running and walking Sports) organization, and included Jeff Pisarsky as the overall male finisher in the run and Michele Sedlar as the overall female finisher in the run. Walk overall finishers were male, Mark Valenti and female, Pam Behm. After the rides and run/walk, participants enjoyed a picnic together under Briarwood Pavilion in St. Joseph’s Riverview Park with food, BBQ, vegetarian dishes, deserts, live music by country classic rock band Idah Red, our official cornhole tournament, games for the children, pictures with Stikla (our TEC pony), local craft beer and wine, a photo booth, and an all-around great time for the whole family!
The purpose of TEC Fest is to raise vital funds to help the special needs men, women, and children in our area have access to year-round therapeutic horseback riding and horse-related activities. Therapeutic Equestrian Center is the only year-round therapeutic riding facility in the tri-county area. TEC never turns riders away for monetary reasons, and offers low-cost lessons and scholarships to those in need. To see photos from this year’s event visit the TEC Fest 2014 photo album on TEC’s Facebook page (http://bit.ly/TECFest2014pics). For those interested in participating next year and to follow the happenings at TEC, please sign up to be included on our TEC mailing list (http://bit.ly/TECFestsignup) and follow us on Facebook.
TEC Fest thanks our 2014 sponsors Fairmount Minerals, Honor Credit Union, 97.5 Y-Country, Lakeland Healthcare, Hartwell & Wolf, United Federal Credit Union, Chemical Bank, Midwest Family Broadcasting, Vail Rubber Works Inc, Insurance Management Services, Timothy Walls & Family, Charlie’s Piggin’ N’Grinnin’, Jollay Orchards Farm & Market, New Country 99.9, Mailmax, Joe’s Café, Schu’s Bar & Grill, the SWMI RACERS, volunteers from Honor Credit Union, our TEC Volunteers, and all the area businesses that donated silent auction items
