A significant milestone for a Yorkton business turned into a significant windfall for a local charity last week.
Terry Ortynsky’s Royal Ford celebrated 30 years in business October 1 with an open house. The event included well-wishes from Ford Canada, the Province and the City, a vintage car show, a sausage and pierogie supper and live entertainment with the Steve Gibson Band.
Proceeds from the supper went to the Therapeutic Riding Association (TRA) of Yorkton, which provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to ride horses.
“Horseback riding for the disabled is recognized as one of the more progressive forms of therapy,” states the organization’s website. “The ability to control a horse as well as one’s body inspires self-confidence, responsibility and teamwork. Best of all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, which creates a special relationship between rider and horse and promotes personal challenge.”
As of press time the total funds raised had not been tallied.
“It means a lot because the Therapeutic Riding Association is funded entirely by donations,” said Teresa Hartman, TRA vice-president. “It’s really lovely because it’s a very expensive program to run.”
Hartman is also a parent of one of the participants, so knows first hand how valuable the program can be.
“Our daughter was born with spina bifida, she’s 10-years-old now and she’s been riding for five years,” Hartman said. “This year is her fifth year and in those five years we’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth. Socially she’s grown, she’s grown with maturity, she’s grown with stability and strength, it’s helped her with her core strength. She doesn’t have full feeling in her legs so the horse riding is just a great opportunity for her to feel a little more normal. And the horses are just lovely and wonderful and it’s just a really great program with our daughter.”
“We wanted to do something that’s memorable to celebrate 30 years and give back for the support that we’ve received,” Ortynsky said.
Gerald Wood, general manager, western region, Ford Canada, said the event was consistent with Ortynsky’s character.
“He’s always there to help us,” Wood said. “He’s on a number of committees of smaller groups of dealers that help us make decisions in the better interest, he also serves on our advertising committee for the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and when you look at the environment he creates and the philosophy they operate under, it’s really what we’re looking for. If we could take that model and consistency and put it across to all our retailers across the country, we’d be a pretty happy organization.”
