Lehman Engineers Trail Event Raises $28,895.81 for Dreams Go On
Hollidaysburg, PA — The 11th Annual Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride & Trail Walk to benefit Dreams Go On was held on Sunday, October 1, at Canoe Creek State Park. The event generated a record breaking $28,895.81 for Dreams Go On, a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding organization for adults and children who are physically challenged, receive mental health, behavioral health, or family therapy services. Joe Lehman, Jr., President of P. Joseph Lehman, Inc. Consulting Engineers stated, “Dreams Go On offers a tremendous service to kids and youth in our area. I am very grateful to be able to continue to help Dreams Go On, founded by my sister, Sue Lehman, and appreciate the many sponsors that helped to make this a record- breaking year. Our success is also a direct reflection of the hard work from many of our dedicated employees who engage and believe in servant leadership, along with the planning committee members who work many months in advance of the trail ride and trail walk.”
Riders and walkers at the event had the opportunity to meet Mya Polito, the 2017 Dreams Go On Ambassador. Mya is a 16-year-old who truly enjoys her horseback riding sessions. The Dreams Go On Celebrity Emcee, Joe Murgo, Chief Meteorologist at WTAJ-TV10; along with Joel Black, Lehman Engineers Marketing Assistant; and Debbie Kelly, Program Manager for Dreams Go On, hosted the early morning activities by welcoming all participants. Dreams Go On volunteers, Dreams Go On riders, and their families, cheered on the riders and walkers on the beautiful fall morning, and all enjoyed watching Mya Polito greet one of her favorite horses to start the event. Murgo thanked the participants, volunteers, and Dreams Go On riders and their families for supporting the event before giving a warm send off to the beautiful horses as they headed toward the bridle loop trail and later to the trail walkers as they embarked together on the handicap-accessible Lake View loop and Limestone Trail at Canoe Creek State Park. Riders enjoyed a 2.5 hour trail ride led by Dreams Go On Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Karen Strayer. All trail riders and walkers received a free event t-shirt.
Event participants enjoyed a delicious BBQ chicken lunch provided by Imler’s Poultry. Other in-kind food donations and talent to support the event came from the generosity of the following sponsors: Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, Sheetz, Blair County Beverage, Roaring Spring Water, Troutfitters, The Press Box, and Prime Design Solutions. Mrs. Ruth Keller baked homemade cookies for all participants to enjoy. The Sheetz Brothers Coffee Truck was on sight providing free coffee and smoothies. The Sheetz Coffee Truck staff also collected donations for Dreams Go On at the mobile beverage station.
The event also featured a silent auction with items donated by volunteers, sponsors and area businesses. Children participated in many arts and crafts and face painting. The children’s activity area, event set up, registration, trail guidance, and many other aspects of the event was staffed by Dreams Go On volunteers and student volunteers from Saint Francis University sorority Phi Lambda Psi and Penn State Altoona Sheetz Fellows.
Registered trail riders and walkers were asked to hold fundraisers and collect donations and pledges for the event. The top fundraising award went to Frank Musselman, a multi-year champion, with an $890 donation. Second, third, and fourth places were awarded to Pam Wilt, Aaron Rose, and Daniel Weitzel, with $360, $215, and $210. The top fundraising team award was given to Team Lehman Engineers for their $690.97 contribution. The team included 14 employees. Event photos can be viewed at: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0NJOJ6XHJ0DCiG.
Deb Kelly, Program Manager for Dreams Go On stated, “We, at Dreams Go On, are blessed to have Betsy Lehman, Vallery Johnson, and the crew at Lehman Engineers as part of our Team! Their creative talents make the Trail Ride & Walk new and different each year. This fundraising event grows each year, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year.” Joe Basil, Park Manager at Canoe Creek State Park, reflected on the event, “Dreams Go On is a great organization with a great cause, and we are proud to host their annual fundraising event every year. The staff and volunteers are so well organized, and we look forward to next year’s event.”
The 2017 Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride & Trail Walk Committee included: Val Johnson, Betsy Lehman, Sherrie Ayers, Joel Black, Ethan Weyant, Allan Derr, Annette Lehman, Laura Koss, Brenda Fix, Deb Kelly, and Terry Wasovich. They appreciated the support from the management team and staff at Canoe Creek State Park, many volunteers, and title sponsor, P. Joseph Lehman, Inc., Consulting Engineers. The 2017 sponsors included: Title Sponsor: P. Joseph Lehman, Inc., Consulting Engineers, Barn Sponsors: Kodiak Field Services; Holliday Real Estate, LLC; and Imler’s Poultry, Horseshoe Sponsor: Smith Transport, Inc., Stirrup Sponsors: HealthSouth; Harcon Corporation; Reliance Bank; Young, Oakes, Brown & Company, P.C.; Urban & Blattenberger, PC; M&T Bank; The Markosky Engineering Group, Inc.; Sheetz, Inc.; and Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, Mane Sponsors: Arrow Land Solutions, LLC; Saint Francis University; French Engineering, LLC; Caughey Family; Bill Shuster for Congress; Ameriserv Bank; DeGol Carpet; The RADD Development Co.; Kiwanis Club of Altoona; 1st Summit Bank; Seltzer Financial Strategies; Ward Transport & Logistics Corp; Link Computer Corporation; The Allegheny Club of Hollidaysburg; Homewood at Martinsburg; S&T Bank; Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Inc.; Acorn Markets, Inc.; Professionals Auto Body; Roaring Spring Water; Best Way Pizza Duncansville & Hollidaysburg; Carol Myers, Confidential Insurance Consulting Inc.; The Hite Company; Stuckey Ford and Subaru; Comfort Inn Altoona/Comfort Suites Altoona; Altoona First Savings Bank; and Senator John H Eichelberger, Jr. Other Sponsors Included: Cesare Battisti Mutual Benefit Assn; Grove Miller Engineering; St. Michael Parish-Hollidaysburg; American Geotechnical & Environmental Services, Inc.; Leonard S. Fiore, Inc.; AIU8; NPC, Inc.; Buccinese Society; DelGrosso’s Family of Companies; Burgmeier’s Hauling, Inc.; A & A Insurance; Bill Wertz & Sons, Inc.; Evey Black Attorneys, LLC; Structural Fiberglass, Inc.; CBT Bank; Empower Business Solutions; Cresson American Legion; Baechle & Associates Architects; New Look Uniform Shop, Inc.; Wix Pix Productions; Ritchey’s; Dairy Queen, Inc.; E.B. Endres, Inc.; Shear Designs; and Martins Grocery. Many other businesses and individuals supported the event and contributed to the auction.
To Volunteer with Dreams Go On, visit www.DreamsGoOn.com for more information. The therapeutic horseback rides will begin again in March of 2018. For more information about Dreams Go On, please visit DreamsGoOn.com.
Volunteers from Lehman Engineers and Planning Committee Present check to Dreams Go On (from left): Sherrie Ayers, Office Manager; Marty Malone, Director of Client Services; Vallery Johnson, Director of Human Resources; Joel Black, Marketing Assistant; Denise Lear, Controller; Joe Lehman, Jr., President; Deb Kelly, DGO Program Coordinator; Betsy Lehman, Director of Special Projects; Brenda Fix, DGO Treasurer; and Allan Derr, Engineer presented a $28,639.84 check from the 2017 Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride & Trail Walk to benefit Dreams Go On.
