The We Promise Foundation Saddle’s Up to Provide Healing on Horseback to Children with Special

PRLog (Press Release) - Apr. 1, 2011 - Virginia Beach, VA: Lillian was grinning from ear to ear.  It was Thursday and she had just finished a therapeutic riding class from atop her favorite horse, Roo-Roo.  
For this special little girl who is physically confined to a walker and wheelchair, there is nothing more healing than being able get in the saddle and leave her disability behind.  Thanks to a $10,000 grant the We Promise Foundation presented to EQUI-KIDS on March 31st, children like Lillian who are otherwise unable to afford the progressive treatment will now have the opportunity to build balance, improve muscle control and strengthen their social skills.  

“Especially given the stifled economy, we are so grateful for We Promise’s generous donation to help special needs children experience a world without disabilities,” says Jill Haag, Executive Director of EQUI-KIDS.  “Not only will this grant give kids whose families might not have the financial resources the ability to participate in our program, but it will also provide the priceless gifts of physical freedom and emotional empowerment that will translate to other areas of their lives.”

EQUI-KIDS seasonal lesson programs and special needs summer camp supports hundreds of children with disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy.  “To see these children light up when placed on the backs of these gentle giants - it’s absolutely life-changing,” says John Blum, Chairman of the We Promise Foundation.  “We have seen the magic EQUI-KIDS delivers by giving young riders the kind of freedom and independence they can only dream of in their daily lives, and are honored to make this very dream a reality through the gift equine therapy provides.”

This grant by the We Promise Foundation, the charitable arm of Chartway Federal Credit Union and its divisions of HeritageWest and SouthWest community, is one of many they have recently distributed as a result of their most successful fundraising year on-record.  In all, they raised over $600,000 in 2010 to make dreams come true for children battling life-threatening or debilitating illnesses.

About Chartway Federal Credit Union
Chartway Federal Credit Union, chartered in 1959, is a not-for-profit financial institution headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with assets of more than $1.7 billion. HeritageWest Credit Union, chartered in 1948 and SouthWest Community Credit Union, chartered in 1937, joined the Chartway family in 2010. Founded on the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People,” the credit union’s fundamental goal continues to be to enhance the lives and financial stability of its more than 210,000 members. The organization provides services in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Chartway and its divisions offer financial services including checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, online banking, mobile banking, insurance and investment counseling to members. For more information, visit www.chartway.com.

About the We Promise Foundation
As the charitable arm of Chartway Federal Credit Union, HeritageWest and SouthWest Community, the We Promise Foundation is dedicated to making dreams come true for children struggling with degenerative, life-threatening, debilitating or chronic illnesses, or those facing tremendous hardship.  The foundation provides funding within the communities the credit unions serve with a single goal to put smiles on children’s face by making their dreams come true.  The foundation was launched in 2005 based on the enduring success of Chartway’s previous charitable events. Since 1999, Chartway and its We Promise Foundation have raised more than $3.0M in support of numerous Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters, St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children, Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater, The Front Row Foundation, Toby’s Dream Foundation, Rock-n-Jock Charities, EQUI-KIDS and other charitable children’s groups who share their passion and mission to make a difference.  For more information, visit www.wepromisefoundation.org.