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"This year is extra special, as we are honoring The Crawford Family - Wayne and Dianne Crawford, Kyle and Jeanna Crawford and Eric and Jacque Stroh - as our 'Heroes of Hope,' Carousel Ranch's highest honor. This incredible family deserves to be celebrated for their dedication to our children for the past 16 years. Carousel Ranch simply would not be what it is today without them! We hope to see the entire community out for Heart of the West this year!"

Carousel Ranch Executive Director Denise Redmond

You're Invited to Carousel Ranch's Heart of the West
Presented by Princess Cruises Community Foundation, Carousel Ranch's annual fundraiser, Heart of the West, is gearing up to be another phenomenal event - their 22nd! Held on the grounds of Carousel Ranch, HOTW will again be catered by Salt Creek Grille with a bar hosted by Vincent Hill Station.

Guests will peruse silent auction items and have a chance to bid on live auction items like, "A Wicked Experience," which includes two Orchestra house seats, dinner with two cast members and a backstage experience; a trip to France; "Tuscan Women Cook," which includes an inclusive experience in Italy; an amazing spa day for five; a Kings Staples Suite for 12 with a party bus; a $6,000 Princess Cruise package and so much more.

Be sure to wear your dancing boots because the fun goes well into the night, thanks to "Heart of the West After Dark," which will feature live music by Santa Clarita's very own Dole Humphries, line dancing and so much more.
Carouselranch.org

Meet Carousel Ranch Rider Cassidy Rodgers
"At Carousel Ranch, it is all about Cassidy! She just gets to have fun and be herself. What she does not realize are the physical benefits that come from riding. It has strengthened her in ways that I don't feel any other therapy ever could. Kids with her condition spend the majority of their lives in the hospital - if they are even fortunate enough to live to almost 15, as she has. Cassidy has spent comparatively very little time in the hospital and I feel that riding is a large part of the reason. It has strengthened her core and despite having a chronic respiratory disease, she is able to stay fairly strong. She has defied every expectation that any doctor has ever had for her. She has outlived her life expectancy three times. Her enjoyment of riding and the physical strength that it gives her has everything to do with that! The physical benefits are amazing but it's the emotional benefits that really mean the most to us. In a little girl that is so far behind mentally and physically, that is not something that we get to see often. I think that it is almost as much a therapy to her dad and me, as it is to her. I cannot thank Carousel Ranch enough for giving my little girl what I cannot give her."
Cassidy's mom

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A Note from Board President Marianne Cederlind
As the current board president of Carousel Ranch I have enjoyed the gift of having a "front row seat" for daily miracles, watching the smiles of our amazing students as they achieve "the impossible."

I am excited to invite you to join me with your very own "front row seat" for a few miracles as well as a wonderful evening under the stars at this year's Heart of the West Dinner and Auction. Heart of the West is an amazingly-unique evening - the excitement of fabulous live and silent auctions, great food, music, line dancing and most important - a demonstration by the kids that we have all come together to support! These beautiful children remind us that anything is possible. Please join us to celebrate their successes and to help insure that through our gifts and support, Carousel Ranch can continue to change lives forever.

I look forward to seeing you there. I am saving a seat for you!
Marianne
Marianne Cederlind is executive vice president and chief business banking officer for Mission Valley Bank.

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Meet Carousel Ranch Rider Bohdi Grable
"We cannot tell you enough how much our family appreciates Carousel Ranch. We have seen so much growth with Bohdi over this last year! Most parents might be saddened by their child becoming independent but for Bodhi, having independence is a lifetime goal for us and riding therapy is the first step to him learning these skills. He enjoys every lesson at the Ranch. One of his favorite activities is to hold the reins while they ride, as well as interacting with his horse and all the staff. We've seen great improvement with his balance and his thigh muscle tone has increased as well. He laughs and smiles through every lesson and it just melts our hearts to see him enjoy it so much!"
Bohdi's family

Special Thanks to Heart of the West Sponsors
Head Table Sponsors
Santa Clarita Concrete
Andy's Precision Seal & Stripe
Mike & Ann-Marie Bjorkman - HomeSmart NCG

Hero's Heart Sponsors
Aspect
Mercedes Benz of Valencia
Sandnes Family Foundation

Golden Dream Scholarship Sponsor
Valencia BMW

Silver Saddle Scholarship Sponsors
Andel Engineering • Mission Valley Bank
Santa Clarita Concrete

Marshall's Table Sponsors
The Hartmann Family • Renee Berlin & Allen Hohnroth
Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital
The Loughnane Family • Mission Valley Bank
The Welcher Family • Williams Homes

Sheriff's Table Sponsors
Supervisor Kathryn Barger • Compassionate Solutions
Express Staffing • Danny Walsh - RE/MAX
The Gittisarn Family • Kinkisharyo
Knight Construction • Progressive Steps • Thrivent Financial