LifeStriders

Join Us for Culver's Cares Night!

We are thrilled to partner with Culver's for a special fundraising event to support LifeStriders! On Thursday, July 18th, head over to Culver's of Wales and enjoy a delicious meal, and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to LifeStriders.

Your participation helps us continue providing vital nature-based and equine-assisted therapies to individuals and families with special needs. Every bite makes a difference!

Date: July 18, 2024
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Culvers - 400 E. Summit Avenue. Wales, WI 53183

A huge thank you to Culver's for their generous support.
Spread the word, bring your loved ones, and let's make a difference together!

Across the finish line IT'S ELI ON DIXIE FOR THE WIN!!!! Storming home in 1st place Eli & Dixie overwhelmed the track. Taking the lead from the gate to win the 2024 Derby Days Champion title. Eli was followed closely by Adair & Alterra in 2nd, then Tate & Gunner coming in 3rd. Both teams running a solid race from the beginning. Coming in 4th is Macy & newcomer Cash, then Ava & Onyx showing their powerful intentions in 5th.
LifeStriders would like to thank all of our incredible Jockeys and their families for participating in this year's Derby Days and Triple Crown Festival. For sharing your stories, for inspiring us every day, and together with our generous sponsors, helping to raise over $100,000 towards keeping LifeStriders nature-based integrative services accessible to families in need.
Thank you to everyone who showed your support and helped to make this event a success!
Stay tuned for more pictures of today's exciting celebration!

Very Special thank you to all of the FAN sponsors who got behind their favorite Jockey and helped to support them as they ran for the roses in this year's Derby Days fundraising event.

We are incredibly grateful to all of you for your support of LifeStriders' mission. Your generosity enables us to provide low-cost nature-based and equine-assisted therapies to individuals and families with special needs.

Together, we are making a meaningful difference in our community. Thank you for being a part of the LifeStriders family and for helping us to make each stride possible!

Our first ever Bourbon Trail event is in the books. Thank you to everyone who made it happen, and all those who attended last night. It was such an honor to share LifeStriders with you all, and to feel your support. ❤

Meet Jockey Ava on Onyx ~ https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/amber-osterberger

Help Ava & Onyx dash for the finish line by donating in her name now!

Meet Jockey Ian & Julep ~ https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/suzette-didenko

Help Ian & Julep charge the field by donating in their name now!

Meet Jockey Dylan on Jazzy ~ https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/duhamel-d-rodriguez

Help Dylan and Jazzy Run for the Roses by donating in their name now!

Meet Jockey Macy on Cash ~ https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/macy-okrzesik
Help Macy & Cash launch up the track by donating in their name now!

Special thank you to the The Fun Kids Dentist! Partnering to support LifeStriders mission through the Derby Days event, and serving many of our families through their specialized dental care. The Fun Kids Dentist has extensive, pediatric-specific experience in addressing the dental needs of ALL growing children. With a focus on education and prevention, and tailoring each visit and procedure to your child’s unique physical and emotional needs. Always accepting new patients they are waiting for your call! Learn more at https://www.thefunkidsdentist.com/

Meet Jockey Zoe on Piper ~ https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/zoe-and-piper

RACE UPDATE:
The Jockeys are coming down the homestretch now and Eli & Dixie still holding on to 1st as they dash towards the finish line, Adair still in 2nd has opened Alterra up to full speed now in hot pursuit of Eli. Tate & Gunner still showing incredible endurance, sitting comfortably in 3rd position with Ava & Onyx and Macy & Cash still tied for 4th a few lengths back.
Mid pack its Laila & Almar in 5th with Zoe & Piper sitting in their shadow still holding onto 6th.
Reaching for their final reserves Finn & Emma have gained the field pushing their way into 10th, but the field goes 5 wide with Anthony & Stormy sitting right at their girth in 11th, Dylan & Jazzy on the outside just 1 stride off of Anthony, followed by Mitchell & Mac, then Niya & Flame. Blocked at the back of the pack Ana & Preacher & Ian & Julep look for their opening as these incredible teams and families give it their all, raising funds to support the mission of LifeStriders.
With just the final furlong to go, help your favorite team storm home for the win!
From now and through 11:59 p.m. TONIGHT place your donations on your favorite horse and rider's name to help them cross the finish line first on Saturday, June 29th at midnight. Donate now at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024

RACE UPDATE:
Navigating the final turn and the track is taking off! Eli & Dixie have mustered for their reserves and are pulling away from the field. And now it's Ava on the outside, Ava & Onyx charging up to rival Macy & Cash as they are in a stride for strider battle for 4th. Finn & Emma coming up three wide as they slide into center field, followed by Anthony & Stormy, Dylan & Jazzy, Ana & Preacher, and Ian & Julep bringing up the back of the track. This action packed track has just a few days to go and it’s anyone's race yet! Your support helps them stride towards their goals on the Derby Days track, and each week on their horse here at LifeStriders' campus. Help spur them on and donate now at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024

Meet Jockey Noah on Odie running for this years Derby Days Fundraising Event. Learn how LifeStriders has impacted Noah's life by visiting: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/megan-zintek

RACE UPDATE:
Approaching the final turn and IT’S ADAIR & ALTERRA WITH AN ASTONISHING RUN!! Adair & Alterra have let their reins loose and are flying up on Eli & Dixie challenging for first, Adair is sitting right at Eli’s girth on the outside now. Tate & Gunner next with Macy & Cash in 4th. Laila & Almar and Chelsea on Slick both making headway gaining track into the front 3rd, looking for a clear run. Niya has urged Flame up from the back showing a tremendous amount of grit, vying for a spot at the pole in 9th. Mitchell & Mac continue to heat up the track moving forward yet again into 10th, followed by Ava & Onyx tucking in right behind in 11th. Anthony & Stormy have set a steady pace for the long track showing their endurance in 12th as the pack nears the final turn.
Our Jockeys still have a bit of track to cover and your support remains the power behind their strides.
Donate now at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024 or text DERBY24 to 44-321 to help your favorite team conquer the track.

Meet Jockey Anthony on Stormy ~

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/kristin-nord

Help encourage Anthony and Stormy up the track by donating in their name now and while help provide low-to-no cost nature based services to individuals and families with special needs throughout South Eastern Wisconsin. Your support means the world to hundreds of families who benefit from LifeStriders just like Anthony.

Out of the first turn and onto the backstretch the back of the pack is letting their reins out with Mitchell & Mac surging up the inside! He’s found his opening and has persuaded Mac up into 11th position with Ana & Preacher following suit, working their way into 13th. Breezing the first half of this race Dylan is asking more of Jazzy now eye to eye with Niya & Flame in 14th, with Ian & Julep playing on their energy and picking up the pace in 15th.

With just 4 furlongs to go our teams are rallying to raise funds for the services that have been so meaningful to them. Learn more about our jockeys by visiting https://www.lifestriders.org/meet-the-jockeys.html . Then donate in your favorite team's honor to help that team storm home for the win at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024

Meet Jockey Ana on Preacher ~ https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/ana-horsens

Help hundreds of others just like Ana overcome their fears and take life by the reins. Support LifeStriders mission by donating in Ana's name now as she and Preacher run for the roses in this year's Derby Days Event!

A huge thank you to Schneider Consulting for their incredible support of LifeStriders through the Derby Days and Triple Crown Festival!

Your generosity and commitment to our programs make a world of difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve. Together, we're creating positive change in our community every day.

Thank you, Schneider Consulting, for partnering with LifeStriders and helping individuals and families with special needs make their life strides! https://schneiderconsulting.org/contact-schneider-consulting/

Meet Jockey Tate on Gunner ~ https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/tate-johnson-1

Support Tate in his race as he virtually runs to support LifeStriders mission to serve individuals and families with special needs.
Help Tate & Gunner thunder up the track by donating in his name now!

Meet Jockey Mitchell on Mac ~

Which came first - the horse or the occupational therapist? Well if you’re lucky, they both landed in your kiddos life at the same time.
This city girl would never have thought a horse could change someone’s life. But it did. Then put that horse with a therapist whose spirit animal is a horse who can reach your child, what more can you ask for?

LifeStriders gives Mitchell an opportunity to improve his social interaction skills, sensory regulation, and the ability to participate in daily, functional activities. I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t witnessed it week after week. How many organizations are there that so profoundly impact so many lives? Thank you, LifeStriders, for helping Mitchell through his life journey!

You can donate in Mitchell's honor now to help push him and Mac up the track by visiting
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/mitchell-mac

Supporting LifeStriders families since 2018, and helping to make life-changing strides for thousands of individuals and families throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Thank you PNC for helping to provide accessible services to those in need, and for your commitment to better health and wellness in your community!

RACE UPDATE:
Into the first turn Eli & Dixie continue to dominate the track with a 2 length lead. Tate & Gunner holding 2nd by just a bridle now with Adair & Alterra gaining track on the outside in 3rd. Macy & Cash and Zoe & Piper battling for 4th with Laila & Almar just one stride off in 6th. WHAT A MOVE by Noah & Odie! Just about to look Laila & Almar in the eye! Noah found an opening and has coaxed Odie from the back up into 7th with Chelsea & Slick running in 8th. Anthony & Stormy just about stride for stride with Ava & Onyx now and looks like Finn & Emma are positioning to make a move. Mid track and our jockeys are running hard with some distance to go. Help energize your team to run the distance by donating in their name now at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024

Meet Jockey Eli on Dixie and learn how LifeStriders is impacting their lives. Watch his story at https://youtu.be/RDp33e3ttTE Then help Eli and Dixie storm up the track by donating in his name now at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/meghan-campbell-4

Elijah's Story https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/meghan-campbell-4

Meet Jockey Adair on Alterra and learn what LifeStriders means to her ~ https://youtu.be/lfA1L1JSILI?si=Iuf1RK37PcsyaLjH

You can help Adair blaze up on the track on Alterra by donating her name now at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/melissa-freund

Adair LifeStriders 2024 Please donate❤️

RACE UPDATE:
Approaching the first turn Eli & Dixie are running hard and fast in the lead still with Tate & Gunner still holding onto 2nd. Macy & Cash are charging up the track battling Adair & Alterra neck and neck for 3rd, with Zoe & Piper falling into 5th. Mid track ITS Chelsea on Slick! Chelsea & Slick catapult up the track as they take 7th position just edging Ava & Onyx into 8th. Dylan & Jazzy sliding into 13th and looking for their opening as the back of the pack all settles into pace waiting for their opportunity. Donate now at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024 or text DERBY24 to 44-321 to help drive your favorite team towards the winners circle.

A very special thank you to Zorn Compressor & Equipment for their faithful support of LifeStriders families. Partnering with LifeStriders yet another year to provide low cost life-changing services to individuals with special needs.
Zorn compressor & Equipment distributes a wide variety of compressed air equipment, parts, and services and provide maintenance and repair, emergency service and rentals, installation and plant piping, and air, energy, and system audits. Whether you are in manufacturing, food and beverage industry, auto-repair shops, or hospitals, please consider supporting this family owned business with your equipment needs.

Meet Jockey Chelsea on Slick ~

My name is Chelsey Burgess. I am 32 years old, wife to Evan and mom to my precious three year old, Roman. When I was diagnosed with MS in 2020, four months after giving birth to my son, I thought in many ways that life as I knew it was over. I was continuing to lose function so fast, amidst trying to figure out life and new parenthood, mid-pandemic. And in some ways that was true. Life as I knew it was indeed over. As new parents to our sweet newborn, my husband and I quickly became determined to not let this disease defeat me, for our baby’s sake, if not for mine and my husband’s. We started looking into physical therapy and I began at a local hospital where we lived in Connecticut. While it was helpful, I was still experiencing deep anxiety and depression due to the recent changes and chronic pain. We knew we needed something different. Little did I know that the perfect therapy would find me.
Since I was a child, I have been obsessed with horses, and I wasn’t sure if I would get back in the saddle ever again. One Sunday morning before church service, my dear friend, Liesl, asked me if I’d like to do some gentle riding and experience all the many benefits to our spirits and nervous systems of being around horses. She cares for a beautiful retired race horse named Ebony, who is owed by a sweet lady named Kathy, who also has MS and was riding for the benefits. Immediately I said yes! Liesl and I enjoyed about a year of fellowship and gentle riding until my husband and I moved to Waukesha to work at the Ethnos360 Bible Institute. We started looking for anything in the area similar to this to help me. Enter LifeStriders. I have never experienced a more caring, loving and accepting environment. My PT, Olivia, is one of the kindest, most knowledgeable people. In less than a year here, and I’ve seen great improvement in my physical strength, core strength, and back strength, as well as help managing anxiety and depression. I’ve been able to accept some of my limitations, as well as challenge myself to get stronger and keep going. There are so many people who volunteer their time at LifeStriders, and each one is an exceptional person. The side walkers and leaders are always so encouraging and they help the PT and client during the session. It adds built-in friends during treatment. Little did I know that I would feel so loved at this place. LifeStriders is so much more than physical therapy. It’s my happy place.

You can donate in Chelsea's honor now to help urge her and Slick up the track by visiting https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024/chelsea-burgess

RACE UPDATE:
At the ¼ mile it's Tate on Gunner coming up on the outside like lightning! Closing the gap on Eli & Dixie still holding lead yet at the pole. Not to be trifled with Adair & Alterra making a bold move into 3rd with Zoe on Piper powering up into 4th. Both teams showing their potential early on this track. Moving up into center field Laila & Almar in 5th pushing their way into this race and Macy & Cash 6th with Ava & Onyx following in close pursuit. The competition is just heating up and your donation makes all the difference in the lives of our families running their race here at LifeStriders. Donate now at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024 or text DERBY24 to 44-321 to help your favorite team run for the roses!

And THEY'RE OFF!!! In 1st launching out of the chute it's Eli & Dixie making an early move, leading the way onto the track with Ava & Onyx leaving the gate in 2nd. Tate & Gunner in 3rd challenging at their heels, with Laila and Almar looking to be a hot contender grabbing at 4th of the pack. At the middle of the group Macy on Cash and Noah on Odie striding out onto the turf as the track begins to rumble and all of our Jockeys take off to run their best race.
Donate now in their honor at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024 to help your favorite team up the track.

THE RACE STARTS TODAY!!!

Instead of placing your bets, place your donations and be a part of the life-changing work at LifeStriders. Support LifeStriders' mission while helping your favorite horse and rider team race to the winner's circle!

From now until June 29th, 2024, when you place your donation on one horse and rider's name, that team will advance on their track below. The first team to reach the finish line at midnight on June 29th, will be named the LifeStriders' 2024 Derby Days Champion.
Winner will be announced on Saturday, June 29, at LifeStriders Triple Crown Festival.

Donate now to help launch your favorite team into the lead!

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/lifestriders/lifestriders-derby-days-2024