PRANCE vendors demonstrate generosity by donating craft show fees

In a recent media release, once again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PRANCE has been forced to cancel its biggest fund-raiser of the year, the very popular Southampton Craft Show.

In 2019, PRANCE celebrated its 50th anniversary with vendors and buyers coming from across the province for the one-of-a-kind fundraiser.

We know how much the community looks forward to this incredible shopping experience and the opportunity to check out all the wonderful vendors with their unique and special creations. We are disappointed that regulations do not allow us to gather in numbers large enough to host this event but safety must come first. For previous craft shows, Click HERE

Today, we want to acknowledge our Craft Show vendors who have collectively donated close to $5,000 to PRANCE. Instead of accepting a refund for their show fees, the majority chose instead to donate these funds directly to us. As Craft Show Committee head Liz Storey said, “This generosity is really something to be applauded; so many independent businesses have really struggled over the past year and for them to make this kind of gesture – at this time, is really something.”

Typically, the Craft Show earns approximately $14,000 for PRANCE which goes towards the care of our special team of therapy horses. This $5,000 donation will help a lot and we are truly grateful for the kindness and support of these individuals.

After many months of being closed to the public, PRANCE is now re-opened for therapeutic riding. The integrated summer camp program is canceled for 2021 but we are instead hosting our therapeutic lesson program that has been delayed since April.

“It is heartening to see the return of our riders; for individuals with special needs this past year has been even more challenging with the disruption to routines, lack of access to support and inability to participate in much-loved activities such as horseback riding” said Ann Marie Johnston, Executive Director at PRANCE.

PRANCE has decreased the size of most of their classes to just a couple of riders at a time with classes taking place outdoors and in a well-ventilated arena.

Staff, volunteers and riders all wear masks and maintain social distance with the help of the horses!

This summer, forty riders will attend weekly therapeutic riding lessons and thanks to the support of the Southampton Craft show vendors, our volunteers and so many friends in the community, PRANCE is poised to come through the pandemic and looks forward to better days ahead.

If you would like to support the important work at PRANCE this year in the form of a donation (rather than a trip to the Craft Show), we would be very grateful. Please contact us directly at prance@bmts.com or you can visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/

Thank you very much and stay safe! See you at the 2022 show