Maine Marathon donation to benefit Riding To The Top

Bob Dunfey, the Volunteer Race Director for The Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, has announced that Riding to the Top in Windham is one of six beneficiaries of this year’s event which will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Riding To The Top herd member Paxton Abbey is excited 
about this year's Maine Marathon which has pledged to
donate $10,500 to the therapeutic equine facility in
Windham. This year's Maine Marathon will be held
Saturday, Oct. 6. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

As a result, Riding to the Top will receive a $10,500 donation from the event.

“Riding To The Top is thrilled to be one of this year’s beneficiaries of the Maine Marathon. As a heavily volunteer-centric organization, we applaud the incredible volunteer effort that goes into making this race happen,” says Sarah Bronson, Executive Director.

She said that for 31 years, RTT has been serving the greater Portland community, providing equine-assisted services to children and adults ranging in age from 3 to 90-plus, with a small paid staff supported by a phenomenal group of volunteers who assist with all aspects of its program.

“Funds received from the Maine Marathon will directly help the clients, horses and programs at Riding To The Top and we look forward to helping to make this year’s Maine Marathon a success,” Bronson said.

The Riding to the Top organization focuses on therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted services for children and adults with disabilities in Maine.

By facilitating meaningful connections between people and horses, the organization aims to improve physical, emotional and social well-being, offering participants a unique and empowering therapeutic experience.

The Maine Marathon, organized by the Maine Track Club, is a volunteer driven, nonprofit event with proceeds going to local charities and since 1997, the race has raised over $7 million to support a wide range of causes. Over 50 volunteer race coordinators plan the event during the year and about 900 volunteers deliver the event on race weekend.

Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center (RTT) was founded in 1993. Its mission is enhancing health and wellness through equine assisted services.

It is the state’s only PATH Intl. accredited center (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) solely dedicated to equine-assisted services.

More than 250 participants are impacted annually, assisted by certified instructors, a herd of 17 horses and over 100 volunteers, all specially trained to assist with therapeutic riding, equine-assisted learning, carriage driving and PT/OT services utilizing equine movement.

Riding To The Top is a community-based nonprofit, receives no federal or state funding and provides scholarships to over 60 percent of its clients.

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