Not Horsing Around: How a MN student helped special needs kids, adults, and veterans experience the joy of horse riding

This Benjamin Project story highlights Nora from Minnesota! She raised over $2,000 to support riding lessons to special needs kids, adults, and veterans, garnering support from the O'Neil Foundation and the MN Horse Council.

Nora - Minnesota

Nora at the MN Horse Council banquet
Nora presenting her project at a display table
Nora visiting Majestic Hills Ranch arena
Nora speaking at the Minnesota Horse Council Foundation banquet
"With the $100 I decided to donate to Majestic Hills Ranch. Majestic Hills gives riding lessons to special needs kids, adults, and to veterans. I wanted to try and grow the money into something more. I made a GoFundMe and I got a matching grant from the O'Neil Foundation for up to $1,000 with a $500 guaranteed. I also got the Minnesota Horse Council Foundation to donate $100 as long as I went to their banquet and gave a little speech about what I was doing which I happily agreed to. The GoFundMe raised a little over $1000 and with the matching grant from the O'Neil foundation and Minnesota Horse Councils donation we raised $2,188.00. With the original $100 gift card from the Benjamin Project, I bought a new helmet and rainbow reins for Majestic Hills to use in their lesson program. When I went to drop off the donation, I got to watch a lesson and it was so fun to see how happy riding the horses made the kids. Majestic Hills is going to use the money to buy an AED that they have been wanting for a while. Overall I had a lot of fun doing this project and I'm glad I got the opportunity."