This year’s 27th annual Customer and Vendor Appreciation Gala was held on September 18-19, in Oil City, PA. Throughout the two day event, attendees participated in facility tours, a dinner, a luncheon, and three special activities. Many enjoyed playing a round of golf at the Wanango Country Club or clay shooting at the Sandy Creek Conservatory. This year a new activity was appropriately added—horseback trail riding on the Flying W Ranch.
Each year a local non-profit organization is selected to receive support from the fundraising generated at the event. This year VARHA – the Venango Area Riding for the Handicapped Association was chosen.
VARHA, which was established in 1980, has been providing therapeutic horseback riding for children, adolescents, and adults with special needs for the past 39 years. Over the last several years VARHA’s programs have expanded to include therapeutic riding programs for families in drug & alcohol and mental health treatment, 'at risk' youth, and young riders (ages 3-7) with documented special needs. VARHA also offers a 'Horses for Healing' program to assist military veterans and other adults who have experienced some sort of life-changing trauma.
“It gives us great pleasure to announce that through the generous donations from all who attended our event, we managed to raise over $18,000 for VARHA”, said Tracy Rudolph, President. “Thank you to all who attended and a special thanks to the Sales Outing Committee for putting together such a wonderful event. See you next year!”