Equestrian event to include demo in Peapack-Gladstone

Published: Jul 2nd, 7:09 AM

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE – Members of sharingVillage Survivor Groups’ Driving for Surviving program will give a driving demonstration on Saturday, Aug. 14, at the Collecting Gaits Farm/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Festival of Champions and World Equestrian Games Selection Trials at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone.

SharingVillage Survivor Groups is a not-for-profit New Jersey corporation dedicated to helping child and adult survivors of life-threatening illness and their families by providing the tools needed to understand and cope with the challenges of living with illness.

Driving for Surviving is a program designed for children who have been diagnosed with cancer or other life-threatening illness. All services are provided free of charge.

For more information about the program, visit www.sharingvillage.org, email office@sharingVillage.org or call (908) 234-0334.

Your thoughts and wishes are in our prayers! All the best to you this Holiday Season and in the years to come!

Karen and Don

Don and Karen Broughton with Shelley Zlotkin, MSW of The sharingVillage Survivor Groups

From left to right:
SHHRC President Tom Kasper , TTA VP IreanePreston, TTA President Don Broughton and SHHRC VP Laura Brucker

The Tewksbury Trail Association (TTA), held it's annual Holiday party Friday night December 4th at the Oldwick Fire House, to honor our Tewksbury Township Land Owners. Without the generosity of these neighbors who give TTA members permission to cross their property on horseback, our organization of over 100 riders from Tewksbury and neighboring towns would not have been able to raise the thousands of dollars we donate to various charities, most who help children with special needs. 

Cheryl Short, Hospitality Chair for the Board of Directors, organized a wonderful buffet dinner with all the trimmings and many members brought their own special dish to add to the feast. The new Fire House Banquet Hall proved to be a very comfortable and inviting setting for landowners and members to mingle and enjoy the evening.

The TTA wishes to thank all the land owners, members, Sponsors, Township Officials and volunteers, who help our organization to achieve it's financial goals. The Annual PACE, held at Christie Hoffman Park each September and has horse and rider weaving through 8-9 miles of neighborhoods, farm fields, and Township property, is the main fund raiser for the TTA. This year, we were able provide financial assistance to the Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center, The sharing Village, Mylestone Equine Rescue, the Tewksbury First Aid Squad, and were able to provide funds to keep the trail system clean and well groomed. Please visit our web site at www.tta-nj.org.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish you and your families all the best for a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season.

Don Broughton
President
Tewksbury Trail Association

The Star Ledger

Equestrian program helping sick and disabled youngsters thrive with reins in hand
by Nancy Jaffer/For The Star-Ledger
Friday August 07, 2009, 10:45 PM

 Nancy Jaffer/For The Star-Ledger
Gary Johnson of East Orange takes a mini-horse for a spin during a practice session with Driving for Surviving.

Like many 16-year-olds, Gary Johnson of East Orange has a preoccupation with driving. But the Essex County Vo-Tech senior's fixation doesn't involve getting his license.

Johnson's kind of driving is done in a carriage behind a mini-horse or pony, and it has changed his life. As he deals with cancer and cerebral palsy, involvement in the sport has both brightened and broadened his horizon. He participates with the sharingVillage Driving for Surviving pediatric equestrian program several times each week at a Bedminster stable, when he can put his crutches aside and be just another horseman.

Focusing on driving has helped him deal with recurring medical procedures, including chemotherapy and spinal taps. He explained, "I wasn't so stressed. When I come here, my mind is clear; I'm not thinking about problems I have elsewhere. I'm focused on one thing and I don't have to focus on other things.''

An orphan who lives with his aunt, Gary came to the attention of East Orange school nurse Mary DeStefano several years ago. When she went to a polo match and ran into Shelley Zlotkin, one of the founders of Driving for Surviving, and then watched the organization's young drivers give a demonstration, DeStefano thought it would be a perfect opportunity for Gary.

He was willing to give it a try, but he wasn't certain how it would turn out.

"I was amazed and excited to see everything,'' he said, after getting his first glimpse of a horse and carriage. "I wanted to get in and try it for myself, though I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it, since I was used to seeing people control horses with their legs.''

He took to driving right away, however, and has competed in open shows for junior drivers who are not physically challenged, winning top ribbons at such fixtures as the Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association in Sergeantsville and Quentin in Pennsylvania.

"Part of the reason he's so effective is that he has a great natural feel. He's always listening and trying to learn,'' said Ellen Mitchell, who is a hands-on instructor for kids in the program.

Driving for Surviving continues to offer opportunities to Johnson, who also works as an intern at the sharingVillage office in Peapack. In June, he spent some time with six-time dressage Olympian Robert Dover, who had been a sponsor of Johnson's but who he only knew "on paper.'' Johnson did some research to find out about Dover.

"When I read about him and the many achievements he accomplished, I was like, 'Whoa, this guy is amazing,' '' he said.

"When I got to meet him, I was more excited than just reading about him. I think he's going to be a big help and find me a pony or do his best to. He's kindhearted, he's very open. It wasn't hard to talk to him at all.''

Dover, a founder of the Equestrian AIDS Foundation that is now the Equestrian Aid Foundation, noted he has helped individuals in need for years "without putting them in the spotlight'' as they were assisted with money or a place to live.

He said that Gary's situation is different because he lost Boxcar Willie, the pony he drove with great success, when the gelding donated by the Fairclough family of Sussex County had to be put down due to complications from Cushing's Disease.

"But he is an active competitor and he needs a pony, so my goal is to get him a partner again,'' said Dover.

"The minute you meet him and know his story, you see he's all smiles and thankful for what he has and having horses in his life. You have to help a person like that.''

Added Dover, "You can tell that in his character is a much older soul than this young kid. He has a wisdom about him that makes him able to have that calm attitude around horses. Horses love calm and people who work with horses gain a great deal of inner strength from them. Horses can create all sorts or miracles for people who are disabled.''

There are a number of high-profile horse people trying to help Johnson. One is Chester Weber, the USA's champion four-in-hand driver. Johnson and other Driving for Surviving members, meanwhile, are taught by former top driver Sharon Chesson.

Paula Duva, a volunteer from Mendham, was watching the other day when Johnson was working with coachman Will Hick, who is employed by Driving for Surviving board of managers member Teri Piancone and her husband, Lou Piancone, of Bedminster. Hick was driving a fancy German sporthorse pony that is on loan to the organization, handing the reins over to Johnson and other young drivers when he felt the mare was ready for a less-expert hand at the controls.

Duva and Zlotkin noted that not only was the pony borrowed, but also the harness and the carriage.

"At the end of the day, it all comes together,'' said Duva.

"It's magical.''

Driving for Surviving is having its annual Human Spirit Award Luncheon at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters in Gladstone on Oct. 11 to honor board member and volunteer coach Candi Covino Aversenti. The young people will perform an exhibition at that time.

July 13, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Ellen Mitchell – 908-234-0334
          ellen@sharingVillage.org

DOUBLE GOLD MEDALIST, MCLAIN WARD, A “DRIVING FOR SURVIVING” STAR


Driver-Survivor Gary Johnson and Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward with Sammy,
donated on loan by Cindy Vollers.

It wasn’t an Olympic stadium, but those in the stands and along the rails at the Garden State Horse Show were thrilled to see two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner, McLain Ward, being driven around by a miniature horse, not much larger than a Great Dane.  Handling the reins was 16 year old Gary Johnson, one of the four Driver-Survivors representing sharingVillage Groups.  Gary projected confidence as he cruised around the imposing Grand Prix jumps with Sammy, a 13-year old brown and white pinto gelding that appeared even smaller alongside the imposing six foot jumps.

When asked to join in the “Driving for Surviving’ exhibition that was to take place before the Grand Prix event, McLain didn’t hesitate.  With his broad grin, it was apparent that he was enjoying the experience of viewing the arena from a new perspective!  “I’m really amazed at how fast these minis can move; I may have to get one”, stated McLain. 

The youngest rider to win over $1,000,000 in prize money and winner of scores of Grand Prix events, McLain is an American show jumping ICON and Olympic Champion.  He won the gold medal as part of the U.S. team in Team Jumping at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens together with Peter Wylde, Beezie Madden and Chris Kapplier.  Ward continued to compete as an Olympian, winning the team gold for show jumping at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics with Beezie Madden, Laura Kraut and Will Simpson.  He had just arrived at the Garden State Horse Show from Las Vegas where he had competed in the 2009 World Cup Finals and had taken second place.

Confident, accomplished, determined and successful are all qualities used to describe McLain Ward.  These qualities are also used to describe the children who are part of the sharingVillage ‘Driving For Surviving’Program.  The program represents a unique approach to working with children who have experienced a diagnosis of cancer or other life- threatening illness and are now planning a post and concurrent treatment lifestyle.  Carriage driving is one of the tools provided to the Driver-Survivors that empowers them and allows them to master new skills that will enable them to navigate life and to understand and cope with the challenges of living with illness.

When asked how he felt about driving a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist around the Grand Prix ring, Gary smiled.  “It was a really cool, fun experience.  McLain was really nice and I was proud that he took part in our Driving For Surviving exhibition!"

	GARDEN STATE HORSE SHOW NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT:   Nancy Johnson 610-593-5189

Garden State Horse Show -- an exhibitors’ favorite

April 13, 2009, AUGUSTA, New Jersey—Garden State Horse Show, which runs from April 29 – May 3 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, prides itself on being an “exhibitor’s horse show.” It is indeed a rarity today to find a horse show where the management goes out of its way to make every exhibitor feel welcome, happy, and important! Now in its 58th year, Garden State Horse Show grew from a small, all junior show to its current status as New Jersey’s largest horse show! The show management always asks for exhibitors’ input and strives to add innovative classes each year. Plus, the show always hires top-notch judges, course designers, and other officials. Because of their commitment to the exhibitors, Garden State has an extremely loyal following.

Robin Fairclough is one of those loyal exhibitors. “I started showing here back in the 1970’s when it was still back at the Jr. Essex Grounds,” she recalls. “The show has certainly grown, but in a nice way,” adds the trainer from Top Brass in Newton, NJ.

“We’re just thrilled that Garden State is a WCHR show this year!” she adds.  Fairclough is referring to the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) status designated by the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) that the show was awarded this year. Garden State Horse Show is delighted to have the honor of being chosen as one of only seven WCHR point shows in the Northeast Region!  The WCHR Awards, which are presented annually by AHJF on both a national and regional basis, are considered especially prestigious because instead of rewarding the horse or rider who competes in the most shows, they reward the ones who win at the best shows.

Fairclough, who will contest the Garden State Grand Prix on her Patriot, is also excited about the added purse in that class. “Pushing the Grand Prix up to $65,000 is great. There is a lot of talk about it and it is going to draw some nice horses,” she claims. “I even had people in Florida asking me where they should stay when they come to Garden State.”

In total, Fairclough plans to bring 12 horses to Garden State this year. One of her clients, Carolyn Curcio, will show her competitive High Amateur Owner Jumper, Blast Off. Another horse Fairclough is excited about is Ambition, a young hunter owned by Bailey Hughes. At Garden State, Hughes will show the horse in the Large Junior Hunter division while Fairclough will be up in the First Year Green Hunter division.

Back this year at Garden State is Driving for Surviving, a pediatric oncology equestrian carriage driving program of sharingVillage. The children, who drive miniature horses and ponies, were a huge hit last year. The exhibition, which takes place right before the Grand Prix on Saturday, is not to be missed.  A nonprofit self-help educational organization, sharingVillage is dedicated to the well being of cancer survivors from time of diagnosis and beyond.  Shelley Zlotkin, Executive Director, MSW, of sharingVillage states, "We're excited about being back at the Garden State Horse Show and very much appreciate the support of the Junior Essex Troup Alumni!  Performing for such a large and prestigious crowd brings out the best in the children and enables them to achieve new heights in confidence.”

For prize lists or questions regarding entries call 203-650-3148 or visit the show’s website, www.gardenstatehorseshow.org.                               

January 22, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Ellen Mitchell – 908-234-0334
          ellen@sharingVillage.org

sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups To Honor
CANDIDA C. AVERSENTI

At their upcoming Driving for Surviving annual fundraising luncheon, sharingVillage will honor Candida C. (“Candi”) Aversenti with its Human Spirit Award.  The event will take place on Sunday, October 11, at the landmark home of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation Headquarters, Gladstone, New Jersey.

A successful and respected business woman, Mrs. Aversenti is Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of General Magnaplate Corporation of Linden, New Jersey. She has authored several articles on environmental and business topics.

Mrs. Aversenti is a past recipient of the YMCA “Twin Achievement Award, a Tribute to Women and Industry”.  She has been honored by the Executive Women of New Jersey in a “Salute to Policymakers”.  The Business Journal of New Jersey named her as one of “Fifty People to Watch”; New Jersey Woman magazine named her as one of the “Ten Women to Watch in 1993", a forecast which came true in March of 1994 when it honored her as one of fifteen “Exceptional New Jersey Women”.   She held various positions; Vice Chairman and a Director of the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame, member of the Liberty Mutual (Insurance) Advisory Board for the State of New Jersey, and former Trustee of Manhattan College.  She presently serves on the Board of Trustees of Endicott College.

A world-class American Saddlebred equestrian, Mrs. Aversenti has won numerous national awards, including two world championships - U.S. Amateur Road Horse Under Saddle and Amateur Roadster Pony Driver.  In 1996, she was named a “Legend of the National Horse Show” at New York’s Madison Square Garden for her decades of award-winning performances and her contributions to the sport.  In 1998, she was appointed to the Board of the Essex (NJ) Horse Trials and Co-Chair of the Essex Horse Trials Gala.  In 1999, she served as Social Chair for the Essex Horse Trials event.  

Her generous spirit is reflected in her role as a volunteer coach and Board Member for sharingVillage’s Driving for Surviving program.  sharingVillage is a privately funded, non-profit organization.  Its unique Driving for Surviving program is an outgrowth of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups in Peapack, a self-help and education program serving cancer survivors and their families.  “It is possibly the only therapeutic carriage-driving program in the country where both those receiving and delivering the services are confronting life threatening illness”, says Shelley Zlotkin, MSW, Co-Founder and Executive Director.  “The children in the program, having been through the rigors of cancer treatment, are provided with the opportunity to establish control of their life, to regain their confidence and self-esteem and to experience a sense of accomplishment.  Carriage driving is very empowering, and we wanted to bring that feeling to children who have been wrestling with health and emotional issues connected to childhood cancers”, states Zlotkin.

For more information, please visit www.sharingVillage.org or call 908-234-0334.

NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                 Contact:     Shelley Zlotkin
                                                                                                                                                                                      908-234-0334

Driving for Surviving Featured Exhibition
at $50,000 Grand Prix Show Jumping Event

May 26, 2008, FAR HILLS, New Jersey—Five children representing Driving for Surviving, a program of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups, captivated the crowd at Garden State Horse Show as they performed center stage immediately preceding the show’s highlight $50,000 Grand Prix show jumping event, May 10.  Located in Far Hills, NJ, sharingVillage is a nonprofit self help educational organization dedicated to the well being of cancer survivors from time of diagnosis and beyond.   Garden State Horse Show named sharingVillage their beneficiary for the 2008 show.

Dr. Katrina Alger led the procession driving a standardbred horse and was followed by the children who all kept time to the perfect music selection – “Walking on Sunshine.”

Gary Johnson, 15, of East Orange, NJ carried a special passenger in his carriage.  Beezie Madden, a member of the United States Equestrian Show Jumping Team who will be representing the U.S. in Beijing in August, rode along with Gary as he maneuvered the carriage pulled by a striking black pony named Box Car Willy.  Most of the miniature horses and ponies in the Driving for Surviving program, including “Willy,” are either donated or on loan to the program.  They are all well trained and very experienced, many having been former show ring champions.  “Willy,” held the title of Reserve World Champion Driving Pony and competed all over Europe. 

Johnson, who has been part of  Driving for Surviving for about three years, admits that when he started in the program he was “kind of nervous at first.”  Like most of the children in the program, ranging in age from 6-16, he had never really been around horses or ponies before.  Johnson recalls starting out with a miniature horse named “Rocky” who quickly gave him confidence.  “It’s really easier than I would have thought,” he admits, “and a lot of fun.”  A sophomore at West Caldwell Essex Vocational School, Johnson has encouraged other children to join the program.  “It’s not just the driving, but also the brushing, combing the manes, and all that kind of thing that we learn,” he explains. 

Johnson has definitely learned well as he now competes in driving shows with “Willy.”  At a large show last summer the pair “got 3rd place out of all of them!” he proudly recounts.

Shelley Zlotkin, sharingVillage executive director and founder of Driving for Surviving, is thrilled with the program’s success and what it has brought to the children. “………..  ………………………………………………….,” Started in 2003, the Driving for Surviving program is provided at no cost to participants through sharingVillage. The coaches are all volunteers and most of the 14 ponies and horses in the program, as well as their equipment, are on loan to the organization. 

Giving Back

May 13, 2008

Today we salute to three very different Garden State charities that may get you thinking about giving back.

Driving For Surviving helps children with cancer heal by learning to prepare, manage, and ultimately drive a carriage pulled by a miniature horse or pony. The charity, based in Far Hills, pairs donated equines with kids, and the results are pure joy.

This past Saturday, the youngsters proudly drove their rigs past the stands at the Garden State Horse Show, just before the Grand Prix jumping contest. The show designated the charity as its 2008 beneficiary. You can watch the performance by clicking on http://www.njmyway.com/content/blogcategory/83/71/...

Garden State Horse Show Announces Special Exhibition at $50,000 Grand Prix Show Jumping Event

May 2, 2008, AUGUSTA, New Jersey—Garden State Horse Show (GSHS) has announced that sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups will be the beneficiary of this year’s show, May 7-11, 2008 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Located in Far Hills, NJ, sharingVillage is a nonprofit self help educational organization dedicated to the well being of cancer survivors from time of diagnosis and beyond. About 100 members of sharingVillage are expected to be in attendance at GSHS on Saturday afternoon.

Driving for Surviving, a pediatric oncology equestrian carriage driving program of sharingVillage, is joining forces with GSHS to present an exhibition, at approximately 3:00 p.m. – just prior to the show’s highlight, the $50,000 Jr. Essex Troop Grand Prix. The show jumping event, which takes place on Saturday, May 10, features some of the country’s top show jumpers and Olympic caliber riders. But before the horses and riders attempt the course of enormous fences, the main ring will showcase the children from Driving for Surviving as they drive their ponies and miniature horses with carriages for the crowd.

“We’re thrilled to have sharingVillage as part of Garden State,” declares Jim Duva, Executive Coordinator of GSHS. “The kids [in Driving for Surviving program] have such incredibly positive attitudes and are sure to be a crowd pleaser with their demonstration in the main ring.”

Shelley Zlotkin, sharingVillage Executive Director, is very excited to have sharingVillage involved with GSHS. “It’s just a natural fit. Our children will have an opportunity to show professional horsemen what they can do and at the same time, the kids will learn about a different discipline of horses by watching the professional riders as they compete in show jumping.” Zlotkin definitely understands how different riding disciplines can teach one other. Her diverse riding background includes saddlehorses, hunters, dressage, and foxhunting.

Most of the children participating are new to the sport of driving; few had ever been exposed to the equestrian world in any way until joining the program. However, when you watch the children handily maneuver their ponies and carts, you’ll see that they have caught on quickly. Some of the children even compete in driving competitions. “When we first started taking the kids to shows, we’d hear some of the other competitors sadly saying, ‘Ah look. Here come all the little children with cancer.’ “Then we started beating them and they don’t say a word when we show up now!” she laughs.

The program, which began in 2003, is provided at no cost to participants through sharingVillage. The coaches are all volunteers and most of the 14 ponies and horses in the program, as well as their equipment, are on loan to the organization. These animals aren’t just castoffs. Zlotkin proudly reveals that several of the minis are former national champions and one Welsh Cob pony was a world champion. “Plus, we are located very close to the USET [United States Equestrian Team] and their support for this program has been tremendous,” stresses Zlotkin. “The whole program is just a magical situation that worked!” she concludes.

Visit the show’s website, www.gardenstatehorseshow.org for details on the show and see www.sharingvillage.org for more information on sharingVillage and its programs such as Driving for Surviving.

Written by HJN Staff Reporter · Filed Under Garden State, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Shelley Zlotkin
Phone: 908-234-0334
Email: shelley@sharingvillage.org

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE NEW YORK TRI-STATE AREA AWARDS GRANT TO
SHARING VILLAGE “DRIVING FOR SURVIVING” PROGRAM

PEAPACK, NJ – Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area (RMHC_NYTSA) recently awarded $15,000 to sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups “Driving For Surviving” Pediatric Oncology Equestrian Driving Program.

Funding from the RMHC-NYTSA will be used by the “Driving for Surviving” program to help fund transportation to the weekly program, which is held in Tewksbury Twp., NJ (Hunterdon County) and Peapack, NJ (Somerset County).  This grant allows sharingVillage to double the number of children served to 20 and provide them transportation from their homes and schools in Essex and Hudson counties.  In addition, the grant will be utilized to provide the children food and beverages while they are at the program.

“We are so excited about all of the worthwhile programs that we are able to fund this year,” said Gerald McCoy RMHC President of the New York Tri-State Area.  “It’s wonderful to partner with not-for-profit organizations working to better the community and to support programs that benefit children”.

“Driving For Surviving” is designed to meet the needs of young cancer survivors and their families by addressing this experience physically, mentally, spiritually and socially through the camaraderie of an expertly taught driving program.  The children in the program, aged 6 to 14, come to the program having been through the rigors of cancer treatment and are empowered with new skills, are provided the opportunity to regain control of their life and to just be kids.

“Driving For Surviving” is provided at not cost to the participants through sharingVillage and the children are referred to the program through Cancer Institute of New Jersey, . . . . .  

All of the coaches are volunteers and most of the horses and equipment are on loan.  Additionally, sharingVillage has expanded the program to include rescuing horses destined for the slaughter house, providing them with medical care, rehabilitation, training and an opportunity to live out their lives with fellow survivors – the children of the “Driving For Surviving” program.

# # #

"Boxcar Willy"

Robin Fairclough, "Boxcar Willy" and Shelley

Program helps kids with cancer or family loss
By SANDY STUART Staff Writer

The endearingly cute miniature horses stand not much higher than Labrador retrievers, and the carriages they pull are about the size of grocery carts. 

From the perspective of a kid – especially one who’s being treated for cancer or has lost a family member to the disease - what’s not to love about this small-world version of the sport of carriage driving? 

“It’s really fun,” declared 14-year-old Danny Lane of Basking Ridge as he prepared to take the reins of “Dandy” the mini during a training session at a farm in Tewksbury Township on Wednesday, Aug. 9. 

For youngsters in the “Driving for Surviving” program, having fun while mastering a new skill has proven to be an effective form of therapy. 

But don’t say the word “therapy” too loud. 

“In our house, we don’t call it that,” said Susan Anderson of Hillsborough, whose 15-year-old son, Kenneth, is being treated for a brain tumor. “For him, it’s just fun – he enjoys being around the horses. This is like a saving grace for him.” 

After getting sick, Anderson explained, her son went from “Mr. Animation” to being solemn and withdrawn. “This has helped him come out again,” she said. 

Patti Bennett of Basking Ridge, the mother of Danny Lane, said Driving for Surviving has helped her son cope with the loss of his beloved stepfather to cancer last year. 

“He just loves it,” she said. 

The two-year-old program - which uses volunteer coaches and borrowed horses, equipment and facilities - is sponsored by the sharingVillage cancer survivor organization in Peapack. 

The founder and director of the program is Shelley Zlotkin of Bernardsville, a psychotherapist, equestrienne and autoimmune syndrome survivor. 

“What the kids take away from this, primarily, is the confidence they lost,” said Zlotkin, as she watched five youngsters maneuvering their horses and carriages through a series of cones set up in a ring. 

The 15 kids currently in the program train at both the Bedminster Township farm of Randi Leoni – a cancer survivor who also coaches - and at the Tewksbury farm of Lois Kennedy.
 
As the summer draws to a close, the training will become especially intense. 

Seven of the children have been chosen to demonstrate their skills on Sunday, Sept. 17, in the United States Equestrian Team (USET) show ring in Bedminster. The event is part of a fund-raiser for sharingVillage. 

Zlotkin said driving at such a prestigious venue is a big confidence-booster for the kids. 
“We really ice the cake when we put them in that Olympic arena,” she said. “Probably nobody they know, nobody in their family or at their school, will ever have that experience of being there in front of a few hundred people.” 

‘Not Stuffed Animals’ 
Kennedy, who owns two of the miniature horses used in the program, said they were specially chosen for their gentle temperaments. 

“Most of them are national champion retired horses,” she said. 

Zlotkin said the diminutive size of the minis make them less intimidating to the youngsters, although there is always some degree of risk inherent in the sport. 

“The point of the program is for the children to access their hopes, fears and spiritual connections at one time,” Zlotkin said. 

“These horses are not stuffed animals,” she continued. “They buck, they shy, they have good days and they have cranky days.” 

In that sense, the horses are like the young drivers, many of whom suffer from cognitive and physical disabilities as a result of their cancer treatments. 

Just as the miniature horses are chosen carefully, so are the volunteer coaches who work with the children. 

“Most of the people we want to have working with these children are survivors of life-threatening illnesses themselves,” said Zlotkin. 

“They also have to be familiar with loss,” she added. “They have to be familiar with it, because it will come up (during conversations) in the carriages.” 

While some of the children practicing at Kennedy’s farm last Wednesday seemed tentative, at least in the beginning, others were exuberant. 

Adults watching the training session gasped as 12-year-old Gary Johnson of East Orange executed a “spin out,” an advanced maneuver in which the wheels of his carriage skidded while going around a curve a high speed. 

Although the some of the adults were taken aback at the display of driving prowess, Gary, who has cerebral palsy and lymphoma – just grinned. 

Danny Lane was also smiling, at least until his asthma began giving him problems and he took a break to get his inhaler. 

Zlotkin took advantage of the empty seat in his carriage to encourage Danny’s 11-year-old brother, Matthew, to hop in. Although Matthew has enjoyed petting and grooming the horses, until last week he hadn’t mustered the courage to try driving. 

But after a few spins around the ring with volunteer coach Paige McCollum of Califon, Matthew was looking relaxed and happy. 

After all, having fun is what it’s about. 

“You watch these kids and they all have these smiles on their faces,” observed Anderson as her son finished his day’s training. “This is worthwhile, it really is.”

©Recorder Community Newspapers 2006 

Bernards Township Junior Board Raises $591.00 In Two Hours!

On Sunday, April 9th, Starbucks, located at the Riverwalk in Basking Ridge, partnered with sharingVillage to raise money for the Driving For Surviving Program by selling tickets for sharingVillage’s other partner the Somerset Patriots  Baseball Team’s games.

sharingVillage’s New Junior Advisory Board’s co-presidents Danny Lane and Lexi McKeon raised $591.  This was the Bernard’s Township’s Board's first time selling tickets and they will continue through the end of the summer. 

On April 29th they will be selling tickets again, this time at Basking Ridge Little League’s opening day and again on May 20th at Bernard’s Township’s Charter Day. 

Many thanks go to Joanne Hafemeister of Starbuck’s for her continuous support of sharingVillage.  Joanne and Starbucks will be partnering with us again at Charter Day, donating beverages and with all proceeds from those sales going to sVCsg.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2006 Somerset Patriots Team Up With The Basking Ridge Little League To Support sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups Bridgewater, NJ – The 2005 Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots have joined the Basking Ridge Little League to raise funds for the children’s programs of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups. As a part of its 2006 partnership with sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups, Basking Ridge Little League will sell fundraising vouchers for Somerset Patriots games during the league’s Opening Day Celebration on Saturday, April 29th at Ridge Ballpark. The money raised by the sale of the fundraising vouchers will benefit sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups. sharingVillage is a non-profit organization for cancer survivors and their families conducted by professionals also confronting a life altering illness.   Danny Lane (14 years old) and Lexi McKeon (13 years old) of Basking Ridge have created a Junior Advisory Board for sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups to give back to the organization that helped them through the loss of family members and friends. The goal of the fundraiser is to help the “Driving For Surviving” program.  The founder of sharingVillage, in collaboration with the United States Equestrian Team and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey provide children with compassionate healing and a sense of accomplishment through this carriage-driving program.  Children who have been diagnosed with cancer and those dealing with loss due to cancer have benefited tremendously through learning the sport of driving.     “It is our goal to support this wonderful program that offers children who are surviving all of the issues along the cancer continuum an opportunity to gain control of their lives.   We intend to achieve our goals through various fundraising efforts involving schools as well as the community,” said Lane and McKeon in their mission statement.  In addition to teaching baseball-playing skills and staging organized baseball games for children, Basking Ridge Little League strives to contribute to the overall development of the League’s young members into well-adjusted adults.  “Partnering with a charity that is committed to helping some of the most vulnerable children in our community is a natural for the League and the nearly 1,200 boys and girls who participate in the League’s spring and summer baseball programs,” said Victor M. Hatala, the League’s current president . SOMERSET PATRIOTS BASEBALL CLUB 1 Patriots Park Bridgewater, NJ 08807 (908) 252-0700 Fax: (908) 252-0776 www.somersetpatriots.com

Sunday, April 9th 1-3pm:  Healthy Kids Day at Somerset Hills YMCA..........sVcsg will present our film "Driven" to the public as well as presenting our materials and mission.  kids will also provide face painting for the young and the young at heart! this will be the premier of our newest young volunteers, The Junior Board of Basking Ridge. Volunteers led by Danny Lane and Lexi McKeon will be at our table to answer you questions about volunteering, "Driving for Surviving" and all sharingVillage programs. Come grab a snack and learn what we do and how you can help!!!! 

Saturday April 29th: 9 am Parade arrive at Basking Ridge Little League Comlex. !0:30 Opening Day Remarks  Opening Day of Basking Ridge Little League:  Basking Ridge Little League Parade leading member children and parents involved in little league to the baseball complex where there will be an Official announcement about the partnership between BRLL and sVcsg.  "Sparky" the mascot for the Somerset Patriots will be at the sharingVillage table and lead the parade. Our Junior Board thanks to a partnership between sharingVillage and the Patriots will be inaugurated this saturday. as a fundraiser our junior board will be selling Somerset Patriots baseball for use all through out the season.  The Patriots are donating $4 to sharingVillage for every ticket sold. Once again our infamous face painters will be present. Mr Larry Higgins ever faithful friend and professional pilot will donate his private plane for personal guided tours of the magnificent Somerset Hillls plus!!  We are ever grateful that the Basking Ridge Little League will donate has a portion of the proceeds from two summer baseball tournaments to sVcsg. 

April 13th: Basking Ridge Little League: Shelley will be speaking at the Basking Ridge Little League meeting.  

May 7th:  Shelley and Danny Lane of our Junior Board will make a presentation at Congregation B'nai Israel on our many programs, for volunteers and survivors as well show our film "Driven."  We will also bring our miniature "survivor" horse "Polly" !!!!!!!!!!!  

Saturday May 20th:  Charter Day in downtown Basking Ridge:  from 10:30-5:00 the Junior Board will have a table where once again we will have the Somerset Patriots mascot "Sparky" with them while they sell Patriots tickets as a benefit for sharingVillage will be avaialbe for purchase. Sales of artful face painting, airplane rides and baked goods all available thanks to our volunteers.  A special thank you again to STARBUCKS  who will donate iced coffee and iced tea ice for the entire day with a full donation to sharingVillage. THANK YOU STARBUCKS!!!!!!

Saturday May 20th: sharingVillage Open House sharingVillage will host a free Open House to introduce the variety of healing modalities to be offered by its new Healing Center. Aimed at those with or without a diagnosis, this day of learning and nurturing will showcase modalities not commonly provided by conventional medicine, but which can be added to conventional care. The Open House will take place on Saturday, May 20th from 1 pm to 5 pm at sharingVillage’s Peapack offices. Educational and experiential workshops will be offered by sharingVillage’s practitioners on such modalities as healthcare decision-making, relaxation and visualization, yoga and mindfulness meditation, nutrition and botanical medicine, Classical Chinese Medicine, Buddhist and Hindu “non-attachment” and its application to coping and relationships, and Reiki.  To register or for more information call (908) 234-0334.

Saturday June 16th New Brunswick: Survivors Day... The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has invited sharingVillage to present its program and maintain an information table manned by our "Driving for Surviving" families. Thanks to Dawn Carey RN MPH and Marge Masterson MD.

Thursday April 6th... The Bernardsville News will interview and do a feature story on the family of Doug Bennett who passed away just a year ago from a brain tumor. Patti and her two sons, Danny and Matt have become an integral part of the sharingVillage family!  We could not do without this wonderful trio!!! Danny and neighbor Lexi Mckeon have established the newest additon to our young people's volunteer program right here in Bernards Township, The Junior Board of Bernards Township.

A special thank you to the "Power of One", PATTI BENNETT!  Patti and her family have single handely taken sharingVillage under their wing as a tribute to the memory of father and husband Doug gathering  many blessing for which we are thankful.  Their effort will allow us to continue to assist others in the community that have walked the path this family has walked. 

PRESS RELEASES: This month the Somerset Patriots Baseball Team, Carol Simon Cancer Center, Atlantic Health Systems, The Luekemia and Lymphoma Society will all be announcing relationships and alliances with sharingVillage.

Ongoing Lecture Series on Mind Body Healing throughout April sponsored by Fellowship Village, Bernards Township . sharingVillage practitioners recently provided a series of free educational workshops at Fellowship Village senior community in Basking Ridge, NJ. Topics included Managing Stress, Visualization and Imagery, Managing Life Challenges and Sustaining a Healing Lifestyle. Presenters were sharingVillage’s licensed clinical social workers/survivors, Registered Yoga Teacher and naturopathic doctor/licensed acupuncturist.

August 4, 2004                                                 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Far Hills, NJ – Prepare to be dazzled on Thursday, September 23, 2004 as the new Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster lays out its finery for the club’s inaugural charity event, an evening of fine wine and food pairings to benefit the sharingVillage organization. The event is part of the 2004 Tour de Vin series put forth by the Friends of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups to raise money for the organization so it can broaden its scope and patient base.

The evening promises to be an exquisite one: guests will be regaled by the musical talents of members of The Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey as they please their palates with the brilliant culinary delights of Trump’s Executive Chef. The evening also features a silent auction, with such gems as fine wine, golf packages, Nantucket getaways on private planes, collectibles, spa packages and magnificent temptations awarded to the highest bidder. Space is limited and the admission fee is $350.00 per person.

Founded in 1997 by William Diehl, MD, surgical oncologist; Shelley Zlotkin, MSW, oncology psychotherapist; and Sister Joanna Papicco, M.Th, sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the social, emotional, physical and spiritual well being of cancer survivors and their families. It offers unconditional support from time of diagnosis through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and beyond in groups conducted by similarly afflicted individuals. Services such as nutrition, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, creative arts therapy and massage are all provided free of charge to participants.  Donations received from all Tour de Vin events go to direct patient services.

“One of the things that makes sharingVillage so unique,” says co-founder Shelley Zlotkin, “is our use of group facilitators who are wounded healers--individuals who have confronted their own battle with a life-threatening illness such as cancer. To newly diagnosed cancer patients, wounded healers bring a level of compassion and understanding that simply cannot be matched. They offer a healing modality, a sense of hope and strength based on their own ongoing experience. Wounded healers have walked the very path of the newly diagnosed and have firsthand knowledge of the journey.”

Zlotkin estimates that sharingVillage turns away hundreds of newly diagnosed cancer patients each year—for simple lack of funding necessary to develop and facilitate new groups.

Recognizing this need, the Friends of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups organized the Tour de Vin, a series of exclusive wine and food pairings scheduled throughout 2004 and beyond. Recently a new sharingVillage  Healing Center at 161 Main Street, Peapack  has become a gathering place for patients, their families and the community. In the future, sharingVillage hopes to be able hire several new professional wounded healers, who can, in turn, facilitate a number of new survivor groups, opening the door to compassionate healing for many more cancer patients. 

“Our program helps individuals find quality of life; we help them discover the courage and dignity necessary to confront their own personal battles,” states Zlotkin. “It is the combination of wounded healers, traditional medicine and complementary and integrative services that makes our program so successful on all levels.”

For more information on sharingVillage and sponsorship opportunities or to attend an event, please call;

Shelley Zlotkin: (908) 295-0949
or
Chrystine Tauber: (908) 439-3464

Or visit www.sharingvillage.org

June 4, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Far Hills, NJ – The 2004 Tour de Vin continues! Friends of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups are pairing fine wines and delicious food at extraordinary venues to raise money for the organization so it can broaden its scope and patient base.

The most recent event, the “Next Generation Chocolate and Wine Extravaganza,” held May 14, proved a tremendous success, netting some $16,000 for the sharingVillage organization. See the Press Photos of the event.

Next stop: An exquisite evening at the new Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster on Thursday, September 23, 2004 at 7:00 PM. The evening promises brilliant culinary delights paired with first-rate wines in a truly exceptional setting. A silent auction will also be part of the festivities. Attendance is limited and the admission fee is $350.00 per person.

National cancer statistics estimate that there are more than 250,000 women in the US living with breast cancer. Some 7,400 new breast cancer patients will be diagnosed within the year--in New Jersey alone. Given those statistics, the need for organizations like sharingVillage, and the services they provide, has grown exponentially.

Founded in 1997 by William Diehl, MD, surgical oncologist; Shelley Zlotkin, MSW, oncology psychotherapist; and Sister Joanna Papicco, M.Ph, sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Group is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the social, emotional, physical and spiritual well being of cancer survivors and their families. It offers unconditional support from time of diagnosis through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and beyond in groups conducted by similarly afflicted individuals. Meditation, yoga, acupuncture and massage are all provided free of charge to all participants. Donations received from all Tour de Vin events will go to direct patient services.

“One of the things that makes sharingVillage so unique,” says co-founder Shelley Zlotkin, “is our use of group facilitators who are wounded healers--individuals who have confronted their own battle with a life-threatening illness such as cancer. To newly diagnosed cancer patients, wounded healers bring a level of compassion and understanding that simply cannot be matched. They offer a healing modality, a sense of hope and strength based on their own ongoing experience. They have walked the very path of the newly diagnosed and have firsthand knowledge of the journey.”

Zlotkin estimates that sharingVillage turns away hundreds of newly diagnosed cancer patients each year—for simple lack of funding necessary to develop and facilitate new groups.

Friends of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups organized the Tour de Vin, a series of exclusive wine and food pairings scheduled throughout 2004 and beyond. It hopes to raise enough funds to allow sharingVillage to hire several new professional wounded healers, who can, in turn, facilitate a number of new survivor groups, opening the door to compassionate healing for many more cancer patients.

“Our program helps individuals find quality of life; we help them discover the courage and dignity necessary to confront their own personal battles,” states Zlotkin. “It is the combination of wounded healers, traditional medicine and complementary and integrative services, such as yoga, meditation and nutrition that makes our program so successful on all levels.”

For more information on sharingVillage and sponsorship opportunities or to attend an event, please call:

Shelley Zlotkin: (908) 295-0949

Or reach us at: shelley@sharingvillage.org

April 7, 2004

sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 14th Chocolate Tasting

Far Hills, NJ -- The Friends of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups will present “The Next Generation Chocolate and Wine Tasting Extravaganza” on May 14, 2004. This event is part of sharingVillage’s “Tour de Vin,” a series of extraordinary wine and food events to benefit the organization. Future events include a paired food and wine tasting at the Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster on September 23, and “An Evening in Tuscany” at a private venue on the Bernardsville Mountain on October 22, with festivities continuing the following day at the Far Hills Race Meeting.

The Next Generation Chocolate and Wine Tasting Extravaganza will be held at a gracious estate in the heart of New Jersey’s Essex Hunt Country. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste chocolate crafted by a new wave of American chocolatiers, each selected by a jury of confectionery experts, food writers and senior instructors from prestigious culinary institutes for their award-winning ability to think outside the chocolate box. Here chocolate becomes a culinary canvas to which such exotic flavors as wasabi, lavender black peppercorn, zinfandel, balsamic vinegar and kaffir lime provide the colorful character.

Among these noted artists are Patrick Coston, nominated as one of the “Ten Best Pastry Chefs in America” by Chocolatier Magazine and winner of a bronze medal in the 2003 National Pastry Team Championship; Brian McElrath, who’s truffles the Minneapolis Star Tribune described as being so extravagantly designed that “they would not appear out of place in a jeweler’s velvet-lined case;” Michael Recchiuti, dubbed the “Picasso of San Francisco chocolatiers” by Gourmet Magazine; and Andrew Shotts, who has also been nominated as one of the “Ten Best Pastry Chefs in America” by Chocolatier Magazine and received a silver medal in the 2001 and 2000 National Pastry Team Championship.

Paired with these masterful confectionary gems will be appropriately selected wines from Schieffelin & Somerset's impressive wine collection, as well as gourmet tea and coffee. Schieffelin & Somerset are distributors of Dom Pérignon, Moët-Chandon and Grand Marnier.

The dinner portion of the evening will be produced by Executive Chef Chris Quintile of The Tewksbury Inn. Chef Quintile began his career at The Tewksbury Inn in 1989 under the employment of the inn’s owners Rick and Joyce Brady. After several years, he left to further educate himself under a variety of chefs, most recently at Onesixtyblue in Chicago with Executive Chef Patrick Robertson, also an alumnus of The Tewksbury Inn. Now an award- winning chef in his own right, Quintile has come full circle and is back at the inn under the management of Karen Barlow, daughter of Rick and Joyce Brady.

sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Group is an independent, non-profit, volunteer organization comprising medical and mental health professionals, cancer survivors and experts in the areas of complimentary and integrative medicine who provide a range of group, community and individual services to recently diagnosed cancer patients and their families. On every level, sharingVillage is composed of people afflicted with life-threatening illness, both those who receive and those who administer the services.

Reservations are limited. Tickets for the event are $150.00 per person and may be purchased by check or credit card. Visit www.sharingvillage.org for more information.

Photos available upon request.

For information contact:

Kurt Maier (908) 872-5713
shelley@sharingvillage.org