JACKSON Tenn – Light Up the Night, the first event of its kind, entered the Jackson social scene this spring and brought with it a night full of cajun cuisine, signature cocktails, and an ambiance characteristic of New Orleans elegance.  On May 8th, guests gathered at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Bo Williamson to savor the sights and sounds of the  Garden District and support the work of the Rein-Bow Riding Academy – the Therapy & Learning Center’s hippotherapy program.

Hippotherapy is an innovative type of therapy that uses horseback riding to help children with all types of disabilities reach individual therapy goals.  Most insurance companies will not pay for a hippotherapy session, because it is considered an experimental type of therapy.  Each year, Rein-Bow Riding Academy relies on individual donations and events like Light Up the Night to provide the funding needed to continue making a difference in over 40 children’s lives each year.

Light Up the Night Raises More Than $9,000 for Therapy & Learning Center

 

Everyone, including event chair Darren Lykes, was overwhelmed by the success of the event.  “Oh wow, what a fabulous party this was. For me, it’s always about the ambience and great food!  Everything from the soft jazz playing in the background to lighted pathways and a beautiful courtyard with a water feature made this event perfect.  Guests truly felt as though they were in the New Orleans Garden District.  Let’s not forget the alligator fritters….to die for!”

Light Up the Night raised $9,400 for the Rein-Bow Riding Academy in its first year.  “To have Light Up the Night raise more than $9,000 in its first year was incredible,” says Beth Koffman.  “We so appreciate everyone who supported this event, especially the Williamsons for opening their home, Executive Chef Keith Yonkers for the delicious food, and our committee who worked so hard to pull this together.”

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