Thank you to the over 200 friends, family, and supporters who joined us at the beautiful Five Star Equestrian in Pleasanton on Sunday for our 2026 Lassos with Love fundraiser.
The afternoon began with a thoughtful meditation from our long-time supporter and friend, Kansas Carradine. She spoke about the grounding nature of horses and how they bring us into the present and engage in the world around us. She encouraged us to envision how wonderful it would be for every community to have a Connected Horse program to help connect our hearts and families – and how we can engage our spirit of reciprocity and generosity to give back.
We celebrated Shirley Kaminsky with our 2026 Impact Award. Shirley’s extraordinary volunteerism, unwavering support, and dedication to redefining the role of caregiving have helped shape the Connected Horse community. Her leadership reminds us that caregivers deserve recognition and opportunities to connect, grow, and enjoy life. Please join us in honoring a remarkable champion whose generosity continues to change lives.
Guests enjoyed mingling over beverages and appetizers while browsing our silent auction and raffle featuring over 30 unique gifts and experiences. After a heart-healthy mediterranean dinner, Artist, Amy Burkman kicked off the live auction with a spectacular live painting performance – the result of which was our first live auction of her painting!
Between sponsorships, ticket sales, raffle baskets, live and silent auctions, and a generous matching grant from the Charles A. Becker Foundation, Connected Horse raised over $150,000 in support of our groundbreaking equine programs. We offer our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported our event, including over 70 volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to make the day a success.
We hope you enjoyed the delightful afternoon!
