Submitted photo of Genesee ARC Executive Director Donna Saskowski and former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, chairman and founder of the nonprofit Kelly for Kids Foundation.
Press release:
Genesee ARC was one of 34 Western New York charities to receive a grant from the Kelly for Kids Foundation. Executive Director Donna Saskowski attended the Jan. 19th luncheon at Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant in Blasdell where she received a check for $1,800 to help fund a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with special needs.
The Kelly for Kids Foundation Community Grants are awarded to charitable not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organizations whose primary mission is to assist children in need in the Western New York area. In particular, it funds health and social service organizations that serve the disabled and/or economically disadvantaged youth. The Kelly for Kids Foundation was founded in 1987 by former Buffalo Bills quarterback. Genesee ARC was nominated for the grant by Terry Hill’s Golf Course, Restaurant and Banquet Facility, home of Kelly’s Annual Celebrity Golf Classic.
Saskowski said she is thrilled to have been recognized by the Kelly for Kids Foundation.
“The grant will help provide an eight week therapeutic horseback riding program for children,” Saskowski said. “In recent years, the number of children served by our agency has grown dramatically, including those diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder” the director added.
Benefits of therapeutic horseback riding are well documented. Unlike traditional forms of therapy, therapeutic horseback riding provides benefits physically, psychologically and emotionally for a child with a disability.
