Special Equestrians Taste of Love Raises $194,000

FORT MYERS, Fla. - March 28, 2019 - PRLog -- Special Equestrians Taste of Love, an annual food and wine extravaganza held at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, raised $194,000 for the therapeutic riding program.  The popular event featured dishes and beverages from 16 of the area's most successful restaurants and companies, live and silent auctions and entertainment.  Local celebrity auctioneer Jay Severson and emcee Gina Birch oversaw the evening's events.

Steven Cafaro, a Special Equestrians participant, and member of the organization's drill team, spoke about his experience with Special Equestrians and the positive impact it has made in his life.  Guests also raised their bidding paddles for hurricane shutters for the organization's office and caretaker residence.

"We are grateful for the support of these fine local restaurants, our sponsors, auction contributors, volunteers and attendees," said Jan Fifer, the organization's executive director. "Special Equestrians therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving program for children and adults with disabilities would not exist without the support of our community."

All proceeds from Taste of Love will benefit Special Equestrians, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and adults with disabilities by providing a structured therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving program and equine assisted activities.  Special Equestrians has been awarded Premier Accredited Center status by PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Serving Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, Special Equestrians is a United Way Partner Agency that has been serving southwest Florida for more than 30 years.

Event sponsors include Garden Street Iron & Metal, John S. Fifer, M.D., Sweet Cypress Farms, Lovelace Farms, MVP Realty/Lee and Marie Kitsberg, Waterside Aesthetic Dentistry, Sarlo Power Mowers, Wells Fargo Advisors, UBS/The Maurillo Group, and Bill Smith Appliances.  Media sponsors include Florida Weekly, The News-Press Media Group, and Gulfshore Life.

For more information about Special Equestrians visit www.specialequestrians.net, email spequestrians@gmail.com or call (239) 226-1221.