September 22, 2011

SMILES!

Posted to Rentals

SMILES (Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills, Inc) was founded in 1985 to offer therapeutic and recreational horsemanship lessons to children and adults with disabilities. Based out of Darien, Wisconsin, with over 300 dedicated volunteers, SMILES serves over 400 individuals per year.

With stalls and the 35-acres for as many as 20 horses, there is an extensive 60-day training period for each horse. Only those that show the required patience and tolerance for the type of work they are required to show are accepted into the program. All of the horses are kept outside as much as possible so as to be apart of their natural environment as much as possible. Outside there are 3 pastures and 2 hayfields, along with outdoor shelter, plenty of good hay, and automatic water-feeders. Many of the horses are donated by the owners who are always welcome back into the barns to visit!

Throughout the year, SMILES has events to help raise money for the non-profit. This year, the most popular benefit for SMILES was the Anchor’s Away benefit. At the beginning of the year, 100 fiberglass boats in two different styles, a sailboat and Chris Crafts, were decorated by local and national artists. Throughout the year, the decorated boats were showcased around the area in Walworth County.

This Sunday, September 25, 2011, during the final day of the International Boat Show at The Abbey Resort and Spa’s Pavilion, there will be a public auction. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the SMILES non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The event is open to the public with a $10 donation for admission.

If you’d like to bid online for one of the beautiful and amazingly decorated 60-80 pound fiberglass boats, or if you’d like to take a look at the different artwork provided by the local and national artists, please visit the website at: artforsmiles.org.

Please visit the SMILES organization website at: www.smiles.nu.

For other ideas of seasonal outdoor activities visit our Local Area Guide!

Posted by:  Sharon Clark

Tagged With: art for smiles, chris crafts, non-profit, rentals, sharon clark, smiles, special methods in learning equine skills and walworth county