The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Roxbury: Virtual auction to benefit nonprofit
ROXBURY — There will be a Boots & Britches virtual auction organized by Little Britches Therapeutic Riding from Sept. 20 to Oct. 4.
Items ranging from fine art to fun experiences will be up for bid. All proceeds from the event benefit Little Britches Therapeutic Riding, a local nonprofit that helps kids and adults with special needs discover their strengths though horseback riding.
Little Britches, based in Roxbury, relies on grants, donations, and fundraising events to keep rider fees affordable. About 80 students from towns throughout northwestern Connecticut take part.
“In 2020 and again in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged our fundraising efforts. Strong community support and a shift to online fundraisers helped us meet that challenge,” said Little Britches president Janie Larson. “The virtual auction will help our program continue to serve the community.”
Offerings in this year’s auction include a 7-day ski getaway gorgeous Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Jeffersonville, Vermont. Bidders can also opt for an overnight stay at one of the luxurious Mohegan Sun hotels, an excursion on the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, or a day of fun at a private lake house with swimming, boating, waterskiing, and dinner included.
The full listing, linked online at littlebritchesct.org, includes much more — including works by local artists, food and wine baskets, jewelry, decorative tableware, gift cards and a range of items and services from area businesses.
Despite the pandemic, Little Britches is continuing its program at its Roxbury location this fall, following best practices to help keep all participants safe. For more information go to the group’s website (littlebritchesct.org) or call Little Britches at 860-3505050.
Little Britches aims to change the lives of people with disabilities using the movement of the horse. Riders have a variety of disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, dyspraxia, oppositional defiance, visual impairment and auditory impairment. Some riders are wheelchair bound and experience independence for the first time on the backs of the horses, a release said. Little Britches provides an opportunity for students to participate in a sport; they are no longer spectators sitting on the sidelines. They are riders in the center of the ring.