Shop Amazon Smile & Donate to Park Foundation

The Somerset County Park Foundation has announced that anyone who purchases products through www.smile.amazon.com will be contributing 0.5% of the purchase price to the Somerset County Park Foundation.

The Foundation has recently registered with AmazonSmile, a simple and automatic way for financial support with every Amazon purchase. AmazonSmile offers tens of millions of products eligible for the donation. All eligible products are noted on the website.

Anyone with an Amazon account can register on AmazonSmile and select the Somerset County Park Foundation as the charitable organization. The Amazon Smile Foundation will then donate 0.5% of every purchase price to the Foundation.

The Somerset County Park Foundation is a 501c(3) created to preserve, support, and promote Somerset County Park Commission programs, facilities, and open space, through advocacy and fund raising. The Foundation is managed by a 15-member Board of Trustees including one member from the Board of Chosen Freeholders. Funds are used to sponsor, underwrite, support, and promote park activities, expansion of programs, improvement of facilities, and capital expenditures to enhance access to active and passive recreation opportunities.

For information on the Park Foundation, visit www.somersetcountyparks.org or call 908-722-1200.

Volunteer to Help With Adaptive Horseback Riding Program

The Somerset County Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation Department and Lord Stirling Stable are seeking volunteers to assist with the T.R.A.I.L.S (Therapeutic Recreation Adapted Instruction at Lord Stirling) program beginning Tuesday, September 11, 2018 or Wednesday, September 12, 2018. Two class options are available each evening from 6:15 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. and from 7:15 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

T.R.A.I.L.S. takes place at Lord Stirling Stable, 256 South Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge, NJ and provides an opportunity for children and adults with developmental disabilities to learn the basics of horseback riding at a level adapted to their individual needs.

The T.R.A.I.L.S. program consists of ten weekly riding lessons.  Volunteers are free to choose either or both sessions and will receive training/orientation prior to the start of the program.

Volunteers need not have equestrian experience but must be age 18 or older (17 year olds will be considered if they have previous experience with horses) and should have a desire to help individuals enjoy a recreational activity that they otherwise would have no opportunity to experience.

Volunteer will serve either as a ‘side walker’ providing support, balance, and reinforcement of instruction or a ‘lead walker. The success of the program is due in large part to the volunteers, working with trained staff, to support each of the students.

Individuals interested in volunteering may call the Therapeutic Recreation Department at 908-722-1200 ext. 5234 or NJ Relay at 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment. Information is also available at www.somersetcountyparks.org.