Riding To The Top elects new officers, receives $5,000 donation

 March has been a big month so far for The Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center of Windham with the announcement of newly elected officers, new board members and also receiving a $5,000 donation from Norway Savings Bank.

Norway Savings Bank has made a generous $5,000 donation
to Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center in Windham.
From left are Sarah Bronson, RTT executive director, Troy, a
RTT participant, Buddy, and Dan Walsh, the Chief Executive
Officer of Norway Savings Bank. SUBMITTED PHOTO   

New RTT officers include Casey Etter-Bobb (Board President), Janis Childs (Board Vice President), Carissa Robb (Board Treasurer), and Lindsey Lombardo (Board Secretary).  

New RTT board members include Tara Long of South Portland, a Senior Consultant with Kymanox, and Dr. Carrie Niederman of Portland, an Equine Veterinarian. They join fellow board members Shelby Poduch of Gray and Marisa Rossi of Casco in leading the nonprofit organization.  

Dan Walsh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norway Savings Bank, visited and toured Riding To The Top’s Therapeutic Riding Center earlier this month where he witnessed the impact of the bank’s support for the Windham based non-profit.

This was Walsh’s first trip to RTT and in addition to presenting a check to the center for $5,000, he observed a lesson, met many of the RTT herd members and saw the solar panel array that Riding To The Top was able to purchase last fall, thanks to support from NSB and other donors whose gifts were matched by a solar energy philanthropist.

In addition to the bank’s financial gifts to RTT, Norway Savings supports the gifts of time and talent of their employees, many of whom volunteer at the center for special project work days or to serve on the Board of Directors for the organization.

“We are so proud of our long-standing partnership with Riding To The Top,” said Walsh. “Meeting the volunteers, staff and students was certainly a highpoint for me. It’s particularly gratifying that our support is not only assisting with their great mission, but also contributes to environmental sustainability on the farm.”

Since 2004, Norway Savings Bank has contributed over $155,000 to Riding To The Top in addition to the gift of many volunteer hours.

“We are grateful for Norway’s Savings Bank’s longtime support and we were glad Dan was able to visit the farm in person this year! We were proud to show him the impact of the bank’s contributions,” said RTT Executive Director Sarah Bronson.

She said Norway Savings Bank’s contribution jump-started RTT’s 2022 annual fund and RTT invites other Maine businesses to join in supporting services for children and adults with disabilities.

For more information, visit ridingtothetop.org

About Riding to the Top 

Founded in 1993, Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center’s (RTT) mission is enhancing health and wellness through equine assisted services. RTT is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International). 

 

Located in Windham, RTT is the state’s only year-round PATH International Premier Accredited Center and is dedicated to serving people with disabilities through equine assisted services. RTT is a community-based nonprofit, receives no federal or state funding and provides scholarships to over 60 percent of its clients.

 

Currently visitors at the farm are limited due to COVID-19.

 

For more information about client services, volunteering or making a gift, please visit us at www.ridingtothetop.org or call 207-892-2813. <