Hope Horses holds Grow Hope Dinner
CULLMAN, Ala. – Hope Horses, Inc. held its Grow Hope Dinner on July 24, at its facility. Local businesses, staff, vendors and community leaders such as Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs and Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, joined together to help the nonprofit toward its Grow Hope Capital Campaign goals of expanding its facilities, purchasing land and “ensuring every child who needs this place can find it.”
Before dinner, guests explored the facility, enjoyed live music, shopped from local vendors and met the students and their horses: Kobi, Spots, Bubbles, Sal and Grayson.
Josh Wiggins, capital campaign chair, kicked off the dinner by thanking the crowd and explaining what Hope Horses is all about.
“We are truly honored to have a great crowd gathered here to support a cause that is close to all our hearts,” Wiggins said. “Hope Horses is more than just a program. It’s a place where resilience is nurtured, confidence is gained and hope truly comes alive in one ride. The connection between the student and the horse and one life at a time.”
Wiggins is excited about the future.
“Tonight is not only a celebration of the impact Hope has already had on so many lives, but a chance for us to dream even bigger,” he said. “We want to reach more students, hence this beautiful piece of land we are all enjoying tonight. We’ll grow the opportunities here and build a stronger future for every student that comes through these gates.”
The mission of Hope Horses, Inc. is to provide therapeutic horsemanship programs to individuals with physical, social, cognitive and emotional needs. Hope Horses is a nonprofit organization that empowers students with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges ever since 2011. After starting with 5-10 students, Hope Horses has grown to having 28 today. These students are from all around the state, coming to the stables from counties like Cullman, Marshall, Madison, Limestone and Calhoun.
Hope Horses, Inc. Executive Director Kelsey Scott spoke after Wiggins, telling the audience about the amazing students. Funds for expansion raised at the dinner will grow the facility, she said, allowing more students to get off the waiting list. Some have been on this list for over a year.
“They are incredible,” said Scott. “They will keep coming until they get tired of us. If not, they can keep riding!”
Chef Lindsey Noto King prepared a four-course dinner for the event. She is a Birmingham native who has spent the last 23 years in the hospitality industry and opened her own business in Mountain Brook called Feast Catering and Culinary Kitchen, which provides a unique and custom culinary experience for any and all types of events.
“We are so thrilled to be here,” said King. “It’s such an honor to cook for such an incredible organization. We are really proud of what Hope Horses is doing and happy to be a small part of it.”
The dinner ended with a video sharing the stories of students and how they have been impacted by Hope Horses, Inc.
Hope Horses, Inc. is located at 1301 Convent Road NE Cullman, AL 35055 and can be contacted at 256-507-4088. Learn more at www.facebook.com/hopehorsesinc or www.hopehorsesinc.com. Read more about the Grow Hope Campaign at www.hopehorsesinc.com/about-1-1.
From the Hope Horses website:
“Hope Horses, Inc. is a nonprofit therapeutic riding center dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with special needs through equine-assisted activities.
“Located in Cullman, Alabama, we serve children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, creating a safe, empowering space where riders build strength, confidence, and connection.“
Every session is guided by certified instructors, trained volunteers, and the unique bond between horse and human. For many of our riders, this isn’t just a riding session, it’s their favorite place to be.”
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