Horses Healing Hearts: Into the World of Western and White - White, White West Party Proves Tremendous Success

Source: News Release/Kendall Bierer for PMG Inc.

Into the World of Western and White Horses Healing Hearts'
White, White West Party Proves Tremendous Success

Wellington, FL - The night was alight with white as guests entered the Players Club in Wellington, FL, to celebrate the White, White West Party benefiting Horses Healing Hearts on Friday, February 22. The restaurant and bar was turned into a decadent cocktail party, providing food, fun, entertainment and exciting silent and live auctions. The event was a true success, raising over $50,000 for the non-profit organization and nearly doubling in attendance from last year.

The evening began with a meet and greet for the children from Horses Healing Hearts. Amber Marshall, the leading actress from hit television series Heartland, attended the White, White West Party where she mingled with many of the children involved in the equine experiential learning program, signed autographs and answered questions. Each child had the opportunity to have their photo taken with the celebrity, and at the end of the meet and greet Marshall said her goodbyes to them and headed to the main floor of the Players Club to join the party.

Amber Marshall conducts a meet and greet with the children and volunteers from Horses Healing Hearts prior to the start of the White, White West Party.

Guests were clad in unique western attire, donning cowboy boots, hats and bolo ties as they demonstrated just how well white and west could mix. Suzanne Boyd from WPTV News Channel 12 introduced the crowd to Jennifer Williams, a fundraising committee and board member of Horses Healing Hearts and dear friend of founder Lizabeth Olszewski. When Olszewski took the stage, the crowd was quiet and filled with emotion as supporters and newcomers learned the meaning of this unique equine experiential learning program.

Many of the guests stepped forward pledging to become a part of the "GALUP" (Give A Leg Up Please) program and donate $10 every month to help keep Horses Healing Hearts' vision alive. All who joined received "Bling rings" - which were visible throughout the room, lighting up as guests took over the dance floor to the musical styling of Amber Leigh and her father, Randy. The guitar and violin filled the room as the duo sang and played, welcoming dancing, clapping and an ovation from the crowd.

Musician Amber Leigh, a local celebrity, performs at the White, White West Party

The silent auction offered a host of hot ticket items, and guests took the opportunity to scribble down their bids for the most sought-after items of the season. After a wonderful dinner with a carving station donated by Cheney Brothers, guests gathered to take part in the live auction, emceed by Tony Coppola. Polo player Jeff Blake and 2012 Miss Florida USA Karina Brez took their turn in the limelight as bidders attempted to win a date with the local celebrities. Guests also had the opportunity to bid on authentic guitars signed by Jimmy Buffet, The Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift. The one-of-a-kind Salvador Dali print was a hot item as art enthusiasts tried to add the print to their growing collection.

With over 200 people in attendance, the party was wildly successful. Horses Healing Hearts nearly quadrupled the amount of money raised in 2012, and was thrilled to expand their support network to new faces at the White, White West Party.

Guests were dressed in the white-western best as they danced to the musical talents of Amber Leigh and her father Randy.

"None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of all of our sponsors and of course the hard work from our fundraising committee that's spent the entire year planning and preparing. I'm so proud of how hard everyone worked. We far surpassed our goal and everyone gave 110%. I'm honored to work with them," Olszewski exclaimed.

Olszewski concluded, "When the kids walked in the ball room Friday night before the meet and greet and saw the balloons and decorations and the size of the room, their mouths hit the floor. One child said 'this big room is going to be filled with people giving money just for HHH - so they're coming just for us?' They couldn't wrap their minds around it! I told them, 'Yep! 200 people - most of them you've never met, and they're coming to give money to help keep the program going. Isn't that amazing?' Another child responded, 'So it's kind of like a big birthday party for HHH?' I couldn't wipe the smile from my face as I said, 'Yeah, kind of.'"

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, log onto www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

The White, White West Committee: Bottom center- Karina Brez (Ambassador) Center Row (L-R) Tere Davidson (Secretary), Susan Lundin (Co-Chair), Mary Rosoff, Liz Olszewski (Founder), Libby Zivick Top Row (L-R) Randy Grimes, Jennifer Williams, Daniel Hartwell

Horses Healing Hearts would like to thank all of the 2013 White, White West Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor

Copley's RV Center, Inc.

www.copleysrv.com

Dale Evans Sponsors

Heartland, Inc.

www.heartlandtan.com

Roberts, Reynolds, Bedard and Tuzzio

www.rrbpa.com

William H Pitt Foundation

561-655-8605

Dr. Paul and Mary Rosoff

Lifescape Solutions

lifescapesolutions.com

Trigger Sponsors

Susan Lundin

PNC Bank

Sunless-Versa Spa

Copper Tan

Happy Endings Farm

www.happyendingsfarm.com

Entertainment By:

Quicktrackz Entertainment

Horses Healing Hearts would like to give a warm thank you to their White, White West Committee:

Susan Lundin - Committee Co-Chair
Liz Olszewski - Committee Co-Chair/Founder
Karina Brez, Ambassador
Tere Davidson, Secretary
Randy Grimes, Corporate Sponsors Chairman
Christine Gupton
Daniel Hartwell, Sponsorship Chairman
Dorian Hayes
Rachel Malloy
Mary Rosoff, Silent Auction Co-chair
Jennifer Williams
Libby Zivick, Silent Auction Chair