Quincy donations help horse riding therapy

QUINCY — A donation from the Microsoft data center in Quincy and donations from other Quincy businesses will help a Wenatchee-area nonprofit group continue to provide horse riding therapy to people with special needs in Grant, Chelan and Douglas counties.

The Alatheia Riding Center received a $5,000 donation from Microsoft to provide scholarships for children and adults enrolled in the programs, said Executive Director Nancy Grette. The center provides riding lessons, and therapy through them, for people with special needs, ranging from autism to stroke recovery and cerebral palsy.

“We decided no rider would be turned away due to the inability to pay for the services,” Grette commented. “This meant, however, we would need help from the community to make it happen.”

Businesses in north central Washington, including Quincy, have helped support the program. Grette estimated about half the organization’s participants use the financial support.

Alatheia received donations from Hoffman Construction, Stettner Electric, Advantage Dirt and McKinstry, along with the employees of those companies, Grette said.

Microsoft and Yahoo also donated to the organization’s fundraiser. Both have data centers in Quincy.

“We were excited to see the involvement from Grant County businesses, as we have several riders from the Quincy, Ephrata and Moses Lake area who have been part of our program for years,” Grette said.

The center uses six Norwegian Fjord horses for its riders. and is looking to expanding its program.