Lake Worth, FL-March 1, 2010 – South Grade Elementary students donated 400 sets of equestrian note cards to benefit the mentally and physically handicapped and disabled of the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC).  The Mary and Robert Pew Public Education Fund and Benson Printing underwrote the printing costs of the note cards and the transportation costs for South Grade students to visit the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center later this year.  The cards were given to donors who attended the Vinceremos benefit auction last Friday at the Wellington Polo Grounds.  The cards, depicting six different equestrian drawings, were produced by South Grade students, Helena Philemond, Kyrian Lopez Amaya, Zavian De La Cruz, D.J. Scoggins, Milton Benitez, and Anayzia Dawkins.  
 
“Our South Grade students care about students with disabilities, and they want to support Vinceremos’ efforts to help these children,” stated Mike Riley, Principal of South Grade Elementary.  This form of service learning teaches our students compassion for those less fortunate than themselves.
 
“We have specialized in equine therapy since 1981, using horses with the mentally and physically handicapped and disabled of Palm Beach County, Florida,” stated Ruth Menor, Executive Director of the Vinceremos Therapeutic Center.  “We would like to thank the students of South Grade for creating charming note cards depicting the horses and riders of Vinceremos.  Our donors who attended our auction last Friday just loved them.  We are grateful to The Mary and Robert Pew Public Education Fund and Benson Printing for underwriting this program.”
 
VTRC is a nonprofit organization based in Loxahatchee, FL, that provides recreational and therapeutic riding instruction to people of all ages with varying developmental, physical, and psychological disabilities. The organization, founded in 1982, assists more than 350 adults and children every year, helping them gain a sense of accomplishment, greater independence, and a higher quality of life. The VTRC has received a “Premier Accreditation” rating from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).

For more information about the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.vinceremos.com.