The Shea Center Celebrates 30 Years with Annual
BBQ/Family Reunion and Groundbreaking Ceremony
Event Raises $300,000 Towards Therapeutic Riding Programs for the Disabled
San Juan Capistrano, Calif. — Over 1500 family members, friends and supporters of The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center celebrated the organization’s 30th anniversary and raised an estimated $300,000 in net proceeds at their annual BBQ held on Saturday, September 13.
The evening included a groundbreaking ceremony for the Klein Family Education & Therapy Building. Long-time Shea Center supporters Jenny and Bill Klein made a $1 million gift and $850,000 challenge grant last year towards the project and were on hand Saturday evening with hard hats and shovels alongside Shea Center board members and key leaders to celebrate the beginning of construction. This building marks the final phase in the organization’s renovation that began with a seven-acre land donation from the J.F. Shea Co., Inc. in 2001. The new facility will provide indoor space for physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, a parent and community education resource area, classrooms for teaching and training and space for instructors, staff and volunteers.
A drill team and color guard composed of eight Shea Center clients opened the evening’s festivities with a choreographed flag ceremony on horseback followed by a moving rendition of the national anthem sung by baritone Nyle Wolfe of Ireland.
One hundred and eighty volunteers from title sponsor Claim Jumper Restaurants cooked and served a delicious barbecue dinner of slow roasted baby back ribs, marinated and broiled chicken, seasoned green beans, homemade mashed potatoes and their famous motherlode chocolate cake for dessert.
Barbecue Chairman Larry Bill, representing Claim Jumper Restaurants said, “We are extremely pleased with the turnout and positive response to this year’s event which celebrated our 30th anniversary and kicked off the final construction and capital fundraising phase.”
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Other major event sponsors included Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, Jenny and Bill Klein, O’Connell Family Foundation Trust, Adlin Construction, Coca-Cola Company, Regina and Dennis Gage, Bel and Peter Kiesecker and Wells Fargo Bank.
BBQ guests enjoyed spectacular silent and live auctions which combined with sponsorships of trees at the facility and a special fund-a-family drive raised over $100,000. Other event features were a variety of western themed activities, country carnival games for both children and adults and live country western entertainment and dancing to the live music of Swingshift. Therapeutic riding demonstrations and a parade of riders from The Shea Center’s programs highlighted the evening.
One of the largest therapeutic riding centers in the country, The Shea Center is dedicated to
improving the lives of people with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs.
The privately funded, charitable organization was founded by social worker Fran Joswick in
1978 and annually serves more than 500 clients with approximately 50 varying disabilities.
For more information about The Shea Center visit www.SheaCenter.org or call 949.240-8441.
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