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Hi everyone, it is Molly your SATO VP!!! I hope that everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. I spent my break at IC in California!!! It was the best experience of my life!! IC is in DC next year and I really hope that all of you can come. Trust me it is well worth it. Ok so at IC we spent a lot of time talking about Tzedakah and all of the different ways that it helps other people as well as all of the different places we give tzedakah to.
I don’t know how many of you know this, but we as a chapter have a say where all of our Tikun Olam money goes. At the end of the year we fill out a form with a list of organizations and submit the form to the international office. Then the money we raised all year goes to help those particular organizations we as a whole decided on. Money left un-allocated (in all of the chapters of USY) at the end of the year is allocated by the USY regional SATO VPs and Regional Prezzies at a meeting where they spend hours (lots of hours) dividing it up between the organizations. Out of all of the different allocations USY sends money to, my favorite is the Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association.
The Therapeutic Riding Association is a facility in which physically challenged adults and children, injured soldiers or anyone else with diverse medical needs (cerebral palsy, autism, multiple sclerosis, blindness etc) can go and ride horses as a form a therapy. Personally, before finding out about this organization, I never thought riding a horse was a form of therapy. However for these people riding on a horse stimulates their mind, body and soul and can improve their physical and coordination skills. Therefore, money that we raise goes towards buying special equipment and supplies they need to keep their facility working and providing for others.
This facility works miracles for many people. The following are quotes that come from the INTRA website and are from actual riders:
"I love riding, the horse teaches me things. The horse has taught me to use my body. My body can speak a special language to the horse, it’s talking without speaking. I was not a popular student in class until I began my riding lessons."
( 15 year old with severe physical and emotional disabilities )
"Riding had helped me become part of my class. Riding has made me less fearful but has given me a sense of power."
(17 year old with CP )
-Molly Maidman-SA/TO VP
-Molly Maidman
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