Sis and Lytt Gould Legacy Garden Party is an annual tradition that celebrates and honors High Hopes community members who believe in our mission and our future. This year, held on June 19th, a warm sunny day, it brought together old friends and members of the High Hopes family.
Sis Gould, our founder, understood how horses can positively impact people’s lives. Her husband Lytt was a champion of her vision, also contributing much to High Hopes in his own right. Members of the Sis and Lytt Gould Society are individuals who also share this vision and have made a promise to support us in the future. Bricks in the garden recognize and honor their planned giving. Additional bricks in the garden are given by others as a tribute to celebrate, honor, or memorialize loved ones.
The following new bricks were added this year:
- Tim Buckley (“Sole Tied”) – A recent endowment fund has been created in his name for work with adolescents with mental health challenges
- Michael Birch and Susan Raible Birch
- Daniel N. Willkens, Sr. (“An Inspiration to All”)
Thank you, Pete Curley, for nurturing the legacy garden. Pete helped design and plan our garden, gifted the bricks, and carefully adds new inscribed bricks each year making the garden beautiful in all seasons.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Lytt Gould Leadership Award to the Kitchings family: Sarah Kitchings Keenan, Chet and Suzanne Kitchings, and Ken and Chistine Kitchings for their generous support of our mission and their unwavering family commitment to High Hopes. The Kitchings Family Foundation supported the Parkinson’s Program this fiscal year, ensuring its continuation beyond the pilot program and as a part of our regular program.
The event included refreshments thoughtfully and generously prepared and provided by Jackie Kangley and floral arrangements from Mar Floral.
We look forward to next year’s celebration and to seeing everyone soon on campus to take a stroll through the garden or a walk down the runway to spend time with the horses.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member of the Sis and Lytt Gould Society, please contact Clare Gadrow, Chief Philanthropy Office at cgadrow@highhopestr.org.