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Family donation times two benefits S.M.I.L.E.S.

S.M.I.L.E.S., a therapetutic riding program in Darien, recently received a $3,000 donation as part of a family Christmas gift. From left are Gay Stran, S.M.I.L.E.S. executive director; Debbie Schoenbeck, owner of Mainstreet County Store; Woody Allen, regional sales liaison officer for EquiPride Premium Horse Supplements; and Sherry Monty, founder of S.M.I.L.E.S. Photo submitted.

DARIEN--Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills, or S.M.I.L.E.S., recently received a $3,000 donation from the Cleverdon Family Fund--plus a little more.

The donation is a Christmas tradition of the Cleverdon, Thomas, and Brock families. Each year, one family member has the privilege of choosing a charity for the family fund’s donation, and this time S.M.I.L.ES. was the recipient.

Family member Woody Allen, who is also regional sales liaison officer for EquiPride Premium Horse Supplements, organized an additional gift for the organization. Working with both Eric Robert Thornberg of Sweet-Pro Feeds, and Debbie Schoenbeck, owner of Mainstreet Country Store in Walworth, Allen coordinated the collaborative gift of a six- month supply of EquiPride product to the S.M.I.L.E.S. therapy horses.

Schoenbeck agreed that the match was a good one, “S.M.I.L.E.S. is the perfect group for us to reach out to,” she said.

S.M.I.L.E.S., located in Darien, is a non-profit organization providing therapeutic riding and equine assisted activities to people of all ages who have special needs.