Boo at the Barn

Spotlight on a sponsor – Hills Bank  

Miracles wouldn’t exist without tremendous community support.  Hills Bank is again leading the pack as the “Great Pumpkin” sponsor of Boo at the Barn.  We very much appreciate this continued partnership.  Former Hills Bank employee, Amy McClure, was a Miracles board member and the creative genius behind many of our events and publications. (Halloween was her favorite holiday.)  In her memory, we are continuing a kids’ favorite, Amy’s Walking Witches.  Several witches are hidden around the property and with a sheet of questions to answer, kids go on a hunt to find the witches and answer questions about each witch. Of course, there will be prizes!

Hills Bank began in 1904 and has grown to become one of Iowa’s largest independently owned banks.  Today, Hills Bank has 19 offices   and more than 500 employees across three eastern Iowa counties. In their own words, “Hills Bank was founded on the principle that banks should care about the people they serve and provide ways to help them prosper.  This is the way we have been doing business since 1904.  

Hills Bank actively supports many non-profit organizations and youth and education-based programs in the Eastern Iowa Corridor and we greatly admire service organizations such as Miracles in Motion and all it stands for and achieves for the youth in our communities.”
We are grateful for their support. 

Miracles Welcomes Back Website Sponsor: Farmers State Bank, Marion

Gene Neighbor, President and CEO, visited the farm to present Deb Leichsenring with the check and meet a couple of our wonderful therapy horses. As a locally owned community bank, FSB takes pride in giving back to the community in which they live and work. In addition to financial support, FSB employees volunteer more than 5,000 of their time improving the quality of life in our communities. FSB has offices in Mario, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Alburnett. Check them out at their website: www.fsbonline.com

Upmier Arena Dedication and Open House

August 7th was a day to reminisce about the beginnings of Miracles in Motion, due in large part of Verne Upmier. Our indoor arena now bears his name. A shadow box held quotes about his life as well as photos of “the ultimate horseman”. Jackie Wallace shared her memories about how it all started in 1988. We’ve shared her remarks here.

It was also a time to check out the addition to the arena which houses an accessible bathroom as well as a therapy room, kitchenette, storage closet and viewing window to the indoor arena. The pavilion has been enclosed which make is so much more functional for gatherings such as these. Thanks to all who attended and donated to support the capital improvements made in 2020.

Hippotherapy Sessions and Adaptive Riding Classes through Beginning of November

With cooler temperatures, everyone has been enjoying hippotherapy sessions and adaptive riding classes at Miracles. Depending on weather, plans are to continue through the beginning of November. If you are interested in signing up for classes in 2022, go to the Adaptive Riding page or send email to Miracles.
 

Save the Date – October 23 – BOO AT THE BARN

 Put this on your calendar now.