ST. PAUL HORSE LOVERS' CLUB
Summary:
When people gather to pursue a shared passion they build a strong sense of community. St. Paul has good resources for horse lovers. The Fair Grounds hosts horse shows. The U of M (St. Paul campus) has a top-of-the-line equine veterinary center. The St. Paul Mounted Police are active in community relations. I propose a new organization, The "St. Paul Horse Club" to draw on these resources and bring people together. The Club's mascot would be a live miniature horse (just 34 inches tall at the shoulder.) A full-time staff person would travel with the horse to visit day care centers, schools, senior centers, churches, synagogues and mosques. Their mission would be to plant and develop local chapters of the Horse Club. Membership would range in age from preschoolers to retired folks, united by a common interest. Activities would include studying about horses, making horse art projects, making horse blankets for animal shelters, taking field trips to horse shows and hearing guest speakers such as horse breeders, trainers, jockeys and veterinarians.
Sustainability: Local chapters would raise money by making and selling horse-related crafts. Donations would be sought from civic groups and from the nationwide network of horse enthusiasts (through ads in horse magazines and websites.) The Club could have a booth at the State Fair, with their miniature horse as the main attraction, and horse-related items for sale.
About You
About You
First Name
Connie
Last Name
Lee
City
Eagan
County
Dakota
Country
United States, MN
Website (if you have one)
Names of others who helped contribute to my idea
How did you hear about the Forever Saint Paul Challenge?
St. Paul Pioneer Press
About Your Organization (if applicable)
Organization Name (if applicable)
Organization Website
Organization Phone
Organization Address
City
Organization Country
United States
Your idea
Title of your idea
ST. PAUL HORSE LOVERS' CLUB
Give us the highlights of your idea for making Saint Paul great (2,000 characters maximum or approx. 250 words)
When people gather to pursue a shared passion they build a strong sense of community. St. Paul has good resources for horse lovers. The Fair Grounds hosts horse shows. The U of M (St. Paul campus) has a top-of-the-line equine veterinary center. The St. Paul Mounted Police are active in community relations. I propose a new organization, The "St. Paul Horse Club" to draw on these resources and bring people together. The Club's mascot would be a live miniature horse (just 34 inches tall at the shoulder.) A full-time staff person would travel with the horse to visit day care centers, schools, senior centers, churches, synagogues and mosques. Their mission would be to plant and develop local chapters of the Horse Club. Membership would range in age from preschoolers to retired folks, united by a common interest. Activities would include studying about horses, making horse art projects, making horse blankets for animal shelters, taking field trips to horse shows and hearing guest speakers such as horse breeders, trainers, jockeys and veterinarians.
Sustainability: Local chapters would raise money by making and selling horse-related crafts. Donations would be sought from civic groups and from the nationwide network of horse enthusiasts (through ads in horse magazines and websites.) The Club could have a booth at the State Fair, with their miniature horse as the main attraction, and horse-related items for sale.
Website address (if applicable)
Innovation
What makes your idea different or unexpected? (4000 characters maximum or approx. 500 words)
Other programs define problems and try to solve them. This program goes directly to joy, delight, camaraderie, imagination and wholly voluntary efforts to learn and achieve. People who love horses will love getting together to work for common goals. Members of many ethnic groups can take pride in their historical connection to gallant and majestic horses of the past. People of all body types, from tiny to huge, can imagine themselves in a positive role in the world of horses. Horse lovers come in all ages. This Club will draw neighbors together.
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
How will your idea make a difference in Saint Paul? (4000 characters maximum or approx. 500 words)
The Horse Club will connect children to adults who take their dreams seriously. It will give senior citizens a vehicle for reaching out to nurture the younger generation. Children in the Club will be motivated to improve their reading and writing as they delve into the history and biology of horses. Children can be helped to set goals and work towards them. For instance, they might work together to raise money to go to Horse Camp in the summer, thereby learning sales skills and money management.
Sustainability
Why do you think people will recognize or remember your idea after it comes to life? How might it inspire others to do something similar in their community? (4000 characters maximum or approx. 500 words)
The "Kids and Animals" angle will be a magnet for human-interest reporters. As the local chapters take root and grow, they will develop greater visibility in the community. Some chapters might undertake newsworthy fundraising for horse-related charities. Eventually, the Club might acquire its own horses and a precision riding team to appear in parades, promoting civic pride among St. Paul's citizens.
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