MILLBROOK, N.Y. (Nov. 11) – The Millbrook Horse Trials, a non-profit organization that runs the largest equestrian event of its kind in the Northeast, and Coole Park Farm have donated $3,000 to the Pine Plains Community Food Locker (PPCFL) to support area families in need.
The donation was made possible with proceeds from the Millbrook Horse Trials (MHT), a four-day equestrian event held every summer that has come to attract more than 500 horses, top-level competitors from around the nation and thousands of spectators. MHT made its first donation to the food locker in 2014 with a gift of $2,500.
“Once again, we are deeply appreciative of this very generous donation from the Millbrook Horse Trials,” said Patricia Nannetti, who heads PPCFL. “Despite the unusually warm weather so far this winter, local families are still in need of food and other critical assistance.”
Founded in 1951 and operating out of the basement of the United Methodist Church on East Church Street, PPCFL depends on volunteer energy and each year spends about $15,000 on food purchases. Volunteers serve the entire Pine Plains school district, which includes nine towns, and visit about 40 local families every month to assess their needs and provide assistance.
“We try to provide a very broad safety net all year round, not just at holiday time,” Nannetti said. In addition to food, assistance can include purchasing much needed medicines, clothing and help paying utility bills.
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“We are absolutely delighted that we have been able to increase our donation to the food locker,” said MHT President Louise Meryman, who co-founded the event 15 years ago. The increase was the result of an extremely successful 2015 event, which saw a record number of horse-rider combinations participate in the competition.
“Although the Millbrook Horse Trials is a nationally recognized event of the highest caliber, our roots have always been local, and we do everything we can to support our community,” Meryman said.
Food and shelter are “the most basic of human necessities, and we want to do everything we can to make sure no one in our community is hungry or going without heat in the winter months,” Meryman said.
The Millbrook Horse Trials takes place at Coole Park Farm on Bangall-Amenia Road in Millbrook. This year’s even will be held from Aug. 4-7.
