Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farms

Event: Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm’s
Date: November 21st 6:00pm
Location: North Andover Country Club
Theme: New Orleans and Mardi Gras
Foundation Background:
Employing horses in a working farm environment, Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm provides beneficial therapy for people with a wide range of physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities. The two primary programs are Challenge Unlimited and Ironstone Therapy – both using the horse’s unique ability to enhance a person’s movements and touch a person’s heart, inspiring strength, hope and encouragement. The farm’s professional staff of over 20 licensed instructors and therapists work with 35 program horses and
150 volunteers to serve 450 to 500 children and adults each week, year round. Coming from more than 90 cities and towns throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, participants enjoy the aesthetic beauty of the farm while receiving valuable therapy in collaboration with other service providers to best address their physical and emotional needs.
Primary Programs include Therapeutic Riding, Recreational Riding and Hippotherapy (physical and occupational therapies and speech/language pathology.

Honorees:
Jim O’Brien
Chairman, Ireland Chamber of Commerce, USA (ICCUSA)

Executive Consultant, Special Olympics Massachusetts
Special Friend of Ironstone Farm

Jon Goode
Vice President of Communications, Lowell Spinners
President, KBK Sports Co-Founder of the C2 Mission

Logistic layout of event
Attire:
Black Tie or Mardi Gras Theme
Parking:
Both Valet and Self Park and only 1 minute walk
Dinner and Cocktail hour:
The bar opened at 6:15 and was a cash bar which was the only low point of the event since they were very slow, not open on time and also did not take credit cards.
The dinner was set up in buffet stations
1- 3 soups, sweet potatoes you can choose your own toppings
2- Roasted pork, garlic shrimp and jambalaya and rice
3- Dessert- Bananas Forester, crème brûlé
The food line moved quickly and I really knew there was a chef in from New Orleans who understood the flare of the city. The sweet potato bar was something different and the toppings were a nice touch because it gave you to make choices
Auction:
4 ways to joining the giving
1) There were some body builder couples walking around selling raffle tickets which were read during the action part of the night. The prizes were listed in the flyer you received as you entered which doubles as a card to bid later in the night.
2) The second was the silent action items which ranged of price from $50-$1000. The type of items were sports memorabilia, art from the Farm and local restaurants.
3) The third was the auction which was based on bucket list items such as an African Safari, Football trip to New Orleans or Baseball package
4) The last and easiest way to give was you could sponsor a child for the entire year for $2400
Intangibles
The flow and feel of the party was great. It was very much a local crowd but they were very welcoming to outsiders due to the party atmosphere from the fun theme. There was live music which set a great New Orleans tone and was played load enough to hear but not interfering if you were having a conversation. I was able to meet and speak with the founders of the Farm which was special because they spoke with such passion about the organization. The planners thought of most everything you need when it comes to service: we were walked to our tables as we entered and area for pictures on Bourbon Street, music, films of the Farm and nice short speeches. I really believe the cause was well document, the event was exciting and the food was great….I would recommend this event to anyone.

Who is the Guest of Mantia

This past November, my friend Mike invited me to a very pricey charity gala in Boston. He had an extra ticket for this $1500 gala. He said that I will be going as a guest of Mantia. I wasnt sure what he meant by it

However, I started to figure it out when I went to sign in and the auction book was labeled Guest of Mantia. It sounded like an island, or a destination, maybe even the name of a race horse. Nope, it was for a event attendee whose guest didnt show. All the while, this has gotten our creativity flowing.

Mike and I both attend a number of charity events for our jobs. Some of these events are awesome, and some arent so good. We thought it would be fun and interesting to review these various charity and fundraising events that we attend.