For those who love dolls and horses, and would like to contribute to the longevity of the Northern Therapeutic Riding Association, tickets for NORTRA’s raffle just may be the perfect early Christmas gift this year.
“Basically, the money we make with this is for vaccinations against the West Nile virus,” said Joyce Young, owner and operator of Trail’s End Stables in Devlin, where NORTRA is based.
“We were going to do this in the spring or summer of next year, and maybe get some saddles or something,” she added.
“But with the West Nile virus out there, we can’t wait until the summer, so we pushed to get this done now,” Young stressed.
While NORTRA’s main fundraiser is the annual “Freedom Ride,” which usually raises enough money for feed for the program’s horses, Young said this extra funding boost is needed for the vaccinations, which should cost about $600 when they are administered in the spring.
There are three prizes up for grabs in the raffle—all dolls with homemade clothes and accessories made by local resident Carol Kliner.
First prize is a set of two dolls with a pair of horses and a covered wagon, second prize is a bride and groom, and third prize is a fashion doll.
“It was a lot of work,” said Kliner. “I spent well over a month working on them, and I can’t tell you how much I spent on them.
“But it’s something I love to do, and it’s a worthwhile cause,” she added. “The money this raises all stays here and helps kids from all over the area.”
Kliner noted the bride’s dress is hand-beaded, while all the dolls up for grabs are clothed down to their undergarments.
Together, the estimated value of the dolls is about $300.
Tickets for the raffle cost $3 each, and are available at Greensides General Store in Devlin, Tammi’s Flower Garden in Fort Frances, and from Young (486-3378).
The draw will be made Dec. 20 at Greensides.
