Special Projects & Charities

MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada Chapter
2008-2009 Charities of the Year

Saddle Pals Takes People for Ride of a Lifetime

Saddle Pals, a therapeutic horsemanship program offered by United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento, was launched in Granite Bay in 1993. In November 2005, the program moved to the Diamond K Ranch in Orangevale, which happens to be the home of MPI S/SN member Litza Coughlin, MAS.

This program uses horses and horseback riding as rehabilitative tools to: help relax muscles, improve balance and coordination, increase strength and endurance, and increase self confidence and self esteem. Saddle Pals offers services to individuals whose needs can be met safely through therapeutic horsemanship. Saddle Pals may be beneficial for individuals with such conditions as: Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, developmental delay, sensory integration disorders and learning disabilities.

The program’s successes are often seen in the smile and look of pride of the person’s face as he/she rides a horse “like anyone else.”

Give Hope Foundation Focuses on Families

The second charity selected to receive funds from MPI S/SN this year is the Give Hope Foundation, which was launched by Amanda Flangas in 2002 in the greater Reno area. When a child becomes seriously ill, families must deal with the emotional and financial toll. That’s where Give Hope comes in providing financial assistance to the families.

The Foundation is not illness specific so is able assist children with many different types of illnesses. Often these families from Northern Nevada must travel to California for their treatments and incur travel and hotel costs in addition to their treatment bills. The Foundation works closely with social workers from Stanford and Oakland Children’s Hospitals to determine which families are in need of assistance. Today the Foundation not only has a golf tournament to support their cause, but an Annual Gala and Silent Auction which also brings in significant proceeds.