Gala Winslow fundraiser was filled with stars

WARWICK-Winslow Therapeutic Center’s 31st Annual Gala on Saturday, Sept. 24, was “An Evening Filled with Stars.” Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, a Quadrille performance, a riding demonstration, and a silent and live auction. Thirty pairs of artist-painted cowboy boots, previously displayed in Warwick merchants’ windows, were a big hit at the auction. Virginia Mazza, the emeritus executive director of Winslow, was presented with the Winslow Award for her outstanding achievements and dedication to the center. Alan Lipman, of the law firm of Fabricant and Lipman and the chair of the event, made a speech. “When you see a child on a horse, you may not know just what is actually happening. You may just look and say, oh, that child is riding a horse,” said Lipman. “But I came to Winslow and watched a child riding backwards, lying on the horse with therapists walking next to her. She was absorbing the rhythm of the horse, and the horse was helping her to walk, to talk and to have a better life. I encourage people to come see the magic that happens at Winslow.” A special thank you was offered to all the guests, merchants, businesses, volunteers, sponsors, artists, and donors whose support helps make dreams come true for children and adults in need. Winslow Therapeutic Center provides individualized therapeutic riding to improve motor, cognitive, perceptual and social development for people of all ages. All proceeds from the gala will go directly to programming. For more information, call 986-6686.