Carl Adams and Tammy Stackhouse are shown with a painting of the new vision for Magical Meadows.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A new vision was unveiled by Tammy Stackhouse, founder of Magical Meadows and Carl Adams, executive director Saturday evening at Magical Meadows’s annual Rise Up fundraiser.

By the end of the evening the $100,000 fundraising goal was shy by $20,000.

The theme for the evening was “Denim and Diamonds” with may wearing their best denim attire, western attire and women sporting diamond jewelry or diamond studded clothing. Even the napkins holders were sparkling with “diamonds.”

Stackhouse wants to do more for kids and provide them with opportunities other kids have. “I’ve had a stirring in my heart we need to do more. I believe with help we can do amazing things,” she said.

Carl Adams, left, and Tammy Stackhouse, right, are shown with Owen Siebeneck, who was one of the clients, that inspired the new vision at Magical Meadows.

A painting, created by Fred Clark, local artist, was unveiled, showing that vision.

The vision — two new buildings added to the campus and repurposing the existing riding arena.

A Hope and Healing building will be added to the east of the current riding arena for veterans and first responders. It will also be a medical facility for the horses.

The current riding arena will have basketball courts, soccer courts sensory rooms and a place for adults to come and learn to cook or do different things. “This will be their facility, their own place,” Stackhouse stated.

“The building on the far right (to the west of the current arena) is going to be the new indoor riding room. In that building we will be able to put in better heating and cooling. We have to stop indoor classes in December because it gets too cold in here for our riders and if we turn on the heat it causes the horses to get to warm,” said Stackhouse.

Her visions came about after talking to Owen Siebeneck’s father one day who stated he wished Owen could go out and do some of the other things that other kids get to do. “He wants to play basketball, but when he goes to school or Y … just not safe. It’s a little bit more difficult,” Stackhouse related. “People don’t always understand.”

Stackhouse admitted she wants to retire, but has put that off for another seven years. “I have seven years that I have promised my kids, my family and myself, to complete this for them. I need your help to do it … I don’t think this is a dream out of reach at all and I hope that you can see… that they are so worthy of this.”

Prior to the unveiling of the vision artwork, a video was presented with Siebeneck’s story and the improvements the 5-year-old has made since coming to Magical Meadows.

Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith shared the experience he and first responders had on a special First Responders Day at Magical Meadows. The day included lunch and an opportunity to ride the horses. “It mean’s a lot. It’s not getting easier. It’s a tough profession. … I was able to get on (horses) with some of our guys, to see them get on, petting horses, eating a sandwich without being watched like they don’t belong … It was a very nice gesture, that means something for me.”

The goal is to raise $100,000. Adams noted they were already $40,000 into reaching that goal. To further reach that goal there were 30 items available in the silent auction and 20 live auction items. Additionally there was an opportunity to donate funds. This year’s silent auction was held online.

When the evening ended $17,750 was raised in the live auction, an additional $23,850 raised in cash donations and the silent auction raised approximately $4,000.

This year approximately 130 guests attended the Rise Up fundraiser, which was held in the riding arena and an opportunity given to see one of the clients ride in the outdoor arena.