Sipping For Sprout – A Celebration of Community!

After being on hiatus for two years, guest Cheers to the 9th Annual Sipping for Sprout.

Celebration, conversation and laughter filled the air at the 8th “annual” Sipping for Sprout fundraiser held at Stone Tower Winery on Sunday, April 10th! After a 2-year hiatus, it was certainly a joyful reunion of supporters, volunteers, staff and riders – 350 friends – both new and old – to be exact!

Family members coming together for this event and share their love.

The fundraiser featured wine tasting, fabulous charcuterie-style and artfully displayed food, an engaging live band, a bountiful silent auction and raffle and creative horse-themed crafts for kids! With fun for everyone, guests enjoyed the afternoon while supporting a cause near and dear to their hearts.

Over 300 guests in attendance and fun was has by each and every person.

In typical Sprout fashion, the mission and purpose of the organization were at the forefront of the event with photos of riders and horses throughout the ballroom, a scholarship donation drive and many Sprout students in attendance.

Middleburg resident and Sprout student, Caroline Elgin with her service dog, Shelly and mother, Carina Elgin.

Caroline and Carina Elgin spoke to the crowd on behalf of the Sprout riders, remarking that “seeing so many bright and happy faces from everyone in the Sprout family makes me smile” and that “at Sprout Caroline is a priority. She is fully appreciated and respected and is given great support by incredibly compassionate and extremely knowledgeable staff.”

Left from Right: Sprout Director of Operations, Anna Koopman, Vice President Board of Directors/Sipping for Sprout chair, Saskia Florence, Chairman of the Board, Susan Fitzgerald and Sprout Executive Director, Brooke Waldron.

The event was planned by the Vice Chairman of Sprout’s Board, Saskia Florence who considers the efforts an outpouring of the love she feels for the mission of the organization. Her speech included an inspiring story of walking into the barn in 2013 only to “have her life changed” by being a part of the work. She encouraged the crowd to engage in the many ways Sprout supports its community from volunteer side walking to continuing to spread awareness about the mission in their neighborhoods and within their “herd.”

Saskia Florence, Brooke Waldron, Christian Bentley, Tim Mooney.

Founder and Executive Director, Brooke Waldron was “humbled by the turnout and the outpouring of love and support from Sprout’s devoted friends.” She remarked, “our community is united by the belief that everyone deserves freedom, opportunity and purpose and we are willing to share our resources to ensure that those important things happen. Sprout is strong because of our devotion to those beliefs and because we care so deeply about one another.”