Islandia, NY — Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is pleased to announce that two foundations connected to legendary screenwriter and producer Norman Lear, best known for the groundbreaking television series All in the Family, Maude and The Jeffersons, have made generous donations to support the nonprofit’s equine-assisted therapeutic programs for veterans, children and adults with disabilities and many others at its 13-acre farm in Islandia, NY.
The Lear Family Foundation was established by Norman Lear in 1997 to support the causes he cared deeply about, including the environment, youth and health. His eldest child, Ellen Lear, who is a devoted volunteer and Board Member for Pal-O-Mine, introduced her father to the organization nearly two decades ago, and became a generous donor to Pal-O-Mine’s programs for veterans, all of which are free.
“My dad proudly served in the Army during World War II, and he was very moved by witnessing the emotional connections that veterans made with the horses and each other when he visited Pal-O-Mine. He understood from his own experience how veterans need a nontraditional therapeutic approach to help them process the trauma that can arise in battle zones, and he was honored to support Pal-O-Mine’s free programs for the veteran community.”
The gift from the Frances Lear Foundation, run by Kate and Maggie Lear, the daughters of Norman and his second wife Frances, will support a weekend-long training event held at Pal-O-Mine for professionals in the equine-assisted therapeutic community, along with scholarships for the organization’s summer work-study program.
“Both the Lear Family Foundation and the Frances Lear Foundation have been longtime donors to our mission, providing essential support to many of our programs,” said Lisa A. Gatti, Founder and CEO of Pal-O-Mine, which brings hope and healing to more than 400 individuals each week through the powerful bond between horses and humans. “Norman was especially moved by our programs for veterans, all of which are offered at no cost because of our generous supporters. We are so grateful to Ellen, Kate and Maggie for honoring their father through supporting a cause that he felt so strongly about. His devotion to his country lives on through their generosity.”
Caption: Norman Lear visited Pal-O-Mine in 2015 to visit with some of the veterans who participate in the nonprofit’s programs. Credit: Ellen Lear
