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Saddle up to help children battling cancer
A Clay City man is organizing a unique event for a special cause in hopes you will come.
“I been working like crazy to get the word out about this,” said Chuck Harden, who is organizing a Saddle Up® for St. Jude event for Saturday, August 21.
Harden says this will be a 13.5-mile horse-riding event, along with some extra fun. (The rain date is scheduled for the following weekend, August 28.) There will be tractor-drawn hay wagons and horse-drawn buggies available for those wanting to participate but don’t have horses.
Many people have already confirmed they are coming to the event and are traveling with their horses. Harden said, “don’t worry,” all the arrangements had been made for camping on Friday night for those who want to stay overnight and start fresh Saturday morning.
So far, Harden and a group of volunteers have organized a petting zoo, a free-will BBQ dinner, a silent auction, vendors, t-shirt sales, entertainment, and much more that is still in the works as the event draws closer.
This fundraising event will help provide funding for children battling cancer and other deadly childhood diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. The hospital’s mission is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. No child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.
“We are working on having the whole deal at this event,” Harden said, who got involved with fundraising for St. Jude in 2010. “So many times at these types of events, the families, kids and adults with limited abilities don’t get included.”
The group is making sure there will be plenty for families of all needs to have fun at Goshorn Park.
Horses will be saddled up and spurs up for the ride to begin at 10 a.m.
According to Harden, there used to be a horse ago, so it’s been a long time coming since this type of parade has been seen in Clay County. Some people have estimated “hundreds” of horses and riders could show up for this event, which has Harden nervous and excited.
“It will surely be a sight to see,” said Harden about the parade of horses that will travel along Clay City’s main street.
A retired veteran, Harden is using his love of children and horses, his sense of humor, and 20 plus years of Air Force training to organize the event that is growing daily as more people get involved. People are coming from as far away as Fort Wayne and Illinois.
“I have met so many wonderful people while doing this,” said Harden, who doesn’t want it to be one of those “in-your-face” fundraising events. “We want this to be a fun event for everyone. No one gets left out that Saturday.”
So many people have volunteered their time and efforts; Harden says they are all “blessings in disguise” for the event. When St. Jude opened up their website to let people know about Harden’s plans, it was estimated to raise $2,000.
“This is a hometown event, and so many people want to be involved as we go forward,” said Harden, as people are discussing next year’s event, which might become a two-day event in the future. “We have already raised $1,300 without big sponsors. Will I say no to a two-day event? No. I haven’t even finished the one-day event yet. But, the possibility is there. We are doing the right thing, the right way.”
For more information about how you can get involved or participate, call Chuck Harden at 812-249-6868.
The Saddle Up® for St. Jude event takes place Saturday, August 21, at Goshorn Park in Clay City. The 14-mile horse ride will leave the park at 10 a.m., while the other event activities continue at Goshorn Park.
With so much bad news globally, Harden believes these types of events people need to pay attention to.
“We, as a community, need this right now,” said Harden, who held up a mirror at the first organization meeting and said, “It’s not me; it takes all of us. That is what’s happening now. This is the good news we all want to hear about that we want to be a part of.”