Horse Play, Inc., was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Lillian Ashley Fund to help improve its pastures for its horses.

Horse Play, Inc., located in Tullahoma, offers recreational and therapeutic riding opportunities to children with physical, mental, developmental, and emotional challenges in Coffee, Franklin, Bedford, and Lincoln counties.  They are a recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Lillian Ashley Fund to provide for continuation of the Pasture Improvement Project, which is intended to improve the management of the pastures to assure healthier grazing for the horses and better stewardship of the land.  This will enable the completion of the manure storage shed, allowing use of the manure for fertilizer, as well as the purchase of a pasture harrow.

Lillian Ashley, a Manchester native, lived a wonderful life filled with extensive travel, but she always wanted to give back to the community she loved. She created this endowment to benefit the children, animals, and the environment and conservation efforts of Coffee County.  

The Lillian Ashley Fund identifies the following funding goals:

• Support for the wellbeing of children and youth
• Provide for the care and welfare of animals
• Support environment and conservation efforts

The Lillian Ashley Fund is an endowed fund within The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT). Community foundation awards discretionary grants annually from its unrestricted and field-of-interest funds through an open application process to Middle Tennessee nonprofit organizations, addressing community needs and benefiting the well-being of citizens through valuable programs and innovative services.

More information on the grant process is online at www.cfmt.org/grants-scholarships/grants.

About Horse Play, Inc

Horse Play, Inc offers horseback riding which serves to improve strength, balance, and coordination for the riders.  The riders also form a relationship with the horse, which has been shown to help children with problems with social skills, such as autism, improve their interactions with people.  The unique part of all of this is that the children are having so much fun that they do not realize that it is therapeutic.

Horse Play, Inc is starting its 28^th year of operation, over which time more than 650 children have had the opportunity to ride.  The program has received several grants, but also relies on the generosity of our community and friends to continue the program at no charge to the children.  Horse care expenses for a year typically run between $40,000 to $50,000 and the CFMT grant is helpful to keep the children riding!  For more information, to donate, or to volunteer, contact Hollie Holder, program director at 931 307-0774 or see Facebook. 

About Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee unties compassionate individuals and worthy causes.  Its generous donors span the community and are driven by a shared commitment to addressing diverse needs.  Community foundation is dedicated to preserving and managing charitable funds with the utmost care to support nonprofit and grantee partners dedicated to making a meaningful impact throughout our community. www.CFMT.org