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Alabama Power Foundation grant helps rodeo fund-raiser for Storybook Farm
PRNewswire-FirstCall
NYSE: SO
AUBURN, Ala. - Oct. 9, 2007 - Thanks in part to a grant from the Alabama Power Foundation, a record crowd of 5,000 is expected to attend the second annual FarmHouse Rodeo Classic, benefiting the Storybook Farm therapeutic horse-riding program for children. The Alabama Power Foundation contributed $600 to help sponsor the rodeo at the Auburn Covered Arena Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. The event is organized by the Auburn University chapter of the national FarmHouse fraternity. FarmHouse rodeo chairman Doug Abernathy said 10 to 12 teams from Auburn University colleges and fraternities will participate in six events. Sororities will compete in the Rodeo Queen Pageant. “We had 3,500 last year, and this year’s goal is 5,000,” said Abernathy, a junior civil engineering major coordinating the event. Located on a 25-acre farm in Lee County, Storybook Farm provides therapeutic horseback riding for children ages 2 to 18 suffering from disabilities, chronic illnesses or a personal loss. Emotional, spiritual and physical therapy through the use of horseback riding is offered free of charge. Some 400 children were served last year from a five-county area of Southeast Alabama. “The Alabama Power Foundation’s gift makes a major difference in what we’re doing,” said Storybook development director Lucy Little. “We are totally dependent on donations. With the foundation’s help, we’re able to serve more children and make a difference in their lives.” Titus Lindsey, manager of Alabama Power’s Auburn Office, said the Alabama Power Foundation supports worthy causes such as Storybook Farm. “Storybook Farm is helping children who are hurting, who need a distraction and comfort from very difficult circumstances,” Lindsey said. “The Alabama Power Foundation strives to make life significantly better for those who are truly in need.” Abernathy said his eyes were opened while visiting the farm.
“The reason I took over as rodeo chairman, and why I’ve been pushing so hard for this, is I’ve been out there when they do therapeutic sessions with the children, and I see how much of a big deal it is for them,” Abernathy said. “Some of the kids have disabilities, but some were from Ft. Benning (Ga.) and had lost a father in the war, or their dad was away and they were having trouble dealing with that. “The animals soothe the kids and take their minds off their problems. It’s amazing therapy for them,” Abernathy said.
More information about Storybook Farm is online at www.story-book-farm.org.
The Alabama Power Foundation works to improve the quality of life of Alabamians and strengthen the communities in which they live. Since 1990, the foundation has provided more than $100 million in grants to worthy projects across Alabama. Details about the foundation are available at www.alabamapowerfoundation.com. ### Media Contact: Keisa Sharpe, Alabama Power Corporate Communications, 205.257.4155, ksharpe@southernco.com |