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Former Secretary of
Education William J. Bennett
" Gentle Carousel
Therapy Horses.
Your Reading Is Magic
program and volunteers are heroes every time they walk
into a school or library. Using little miniature
horses to inspire young children to read is most
creative. Congratulations on your wonderful
charity, spirit and service to your community."
My best to you all
- Bill Bennett
Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic received the 2009
Literacy Award from the Alachua County Literacy Network (with Terri
Hutchinson, Literacy Coordinator of Alachua County Library District
and Gainesville mayor Pegeen Hanrahan) for Outstanding Contribution
To Literacy.
Diane
Colson
Senior Library Manager,
Youth Services Coordinator for the Alachua County Library
District
"What’s
better than a tiny horse in your classroom?
I
feel like anyone who meets the horses will never forget it. I really feel like the children will tell their children
about the little horses that came in their classroom. I feel
like it’s that big.
I think
when someone really becomes a friend to reading, a really
enthusiastic reader, they enter into this world where you’re
never alone. You always know that there’s characters in
books that have shared parts of your life. So I think it’s
profound.
The
beauty and the kind of other worldliness of those little
horses, they really do seem magical.
Everybody wants to see those little horses.
They
have a whole program that they do with the children in the
schools as well where they get the kids to promise that they
will read 15 minutes each day and then the reward is that
they get to bring the horses right into the classroom.
A lot
can happen when you do something for 15 minutes every single
day so that’s huge.
The more
you read the better you read. It’s not even just a matter of
getting the phonics right or the vocabulary, which actually
is very important to increase your vocabulary.
Horses
and happy children and more reading.
IF you
can offer something that will get a kid excited about doing
something that’s really pleasurable anyway but that
motivating factor –
The kids
can’t believe what they see. You feel like when the children
see the horses they feel like maybe they really are
unicorns, or that they really are special magical beings
that they never suspected existed and their parents told
them they were just fantasy or something. Their expressions
are so sweet.
I knew
that everyone would want to see those horses.
When we
told them that there was going to be a horse coming in the
library they didn’t even believe us.
I think
adults react the same way…
It’s
just so beautiful, so big hearted, such a perfect marriage
of the therapy aspect along with some kind of magical
element that you just can’t really describe.
They
work incredibly hard. They’re so dedicated. And they get a
lot of people who fall in love with what they do.
I
don’t know what would happen if it ended.
I’ve
been so inspired by the fact that just a couple of people
with a vision and a lot of hard work...to take that a step
forward and to bring it out and to couple it with something
that’s a true benefit, a greater benefit, to people in terms
of health, in terms of literacy.
It’s
really true what people say that one person, two people, if
you have this vision, if you have this ferocious dream, that
you can make a change."
Quoted
from the documentary
LITTLE MIRACLES
about Gentle Carousel
horses.
Lance
Block
Chairman for the Governor's Commission On Disabilities
"I
chair the Governor’s Commission On Disabilities and we’re
very interested in this program. This program is not being
served around the state and yet the needs clearly are there
so we’re very interested. We’ll be studying the program this
year and my guess is there will be some recommendations to
the governor and the legislature about at least beginning a
pilot program to enable this program to perhaps move on
state wide.
"There’s
so many different populations in need that they’re serving
here and every community that cares about it’s population
needs programs like this to reach people in need who
otherwise might not be able to be reached.
My own
daughter, who has Down Syndrome, has been touched by Magic.
I’ve been able to see first hand what these animals can do
just with my own child.
This
program benefits so many different population bases. You can
reach the elderly, the terminally sick, children with
developmental disabilities, children with needs in reading,
there’s just so many opportunities to reach so many people
in need and it’s done through all volunteers. So you know
that your charitable dollars are going to be maximized.
You’re not going to have to worry about administrative costs
or things that don’t really reach the people in need so it’s
a great program. "
Quoted
from the documentary
LITTLE
MIRACLES
about Gentle Carousel
horses.
We are inspired by Homer Hickam's "Coalwood Trilogy" and
include all three books on Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic Books List.
"Reading Is Magic!
Every child you inspire to read is a life forever
changed. Thank you for that and for bringing books to
life...
...Reading is magic. It can take you from outer space to
the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Either way, the
journey is magical.
...Wow. Love those little
horses... Great job you're doing. I'm proud
of you."
-Homer Hickam
 
Homer Hickam
is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller
Rocket Boys
which received a National Book
Critics Circle nomination and was named a New York Times Notable
Book of 1998. He is the author of the "Coalwood Trilogy"
(Rocket
Boys, The Coalwood Way
and Sky of
Stone),
Back to the
Moon ,Torpedo
Junction
and more. He is also a decorated
Vietnam combat veteran, retired NASA engineer, an Olympic
torch-bearer and the holder of Alabama's highest award for heroism.
Rocket Boys
was made into the motion picture
October Sky
in 1999.
Ester Tibbs
District III
Administrator, Department of Children and Families
"When
they (Jorge and Debbie) came up here they made it known to
me that they were interested in reforming the foster care
system, which our circuit is working on. And we were pleased
to welcome them to become part of our steering committee for
the foster care re-design.
And then as I learned more about
the wonderful things that they were doing in the community,
every opportunity I get to tell somebody about the horses
and what they do in terms of improving the lives of children
and families, I introduce them to Debbie and Jorge.
We’re
excited to have a partnership with them.
I’m
passionate because I know what an impact animals can have on
individuals in terms of bringing them out and getting them
to talk about things, even painful things that they normally
wouldn’t want to bring to the surface. Something about being
around animals relaxes them and puts them in the mood to
begin to open up about things. And the second thing that
excites me about what Jorge and Debbie are doing is just the
whole focus on getting children excited about reading. The
ability to read is such a wonderful gift and skill in terms
of opening up new vistas to people. I’m an avid reader and
to the degree that Jorge and Debbie and the horses can get
that joy of reading and learning, that excites me.
They (Gentle Carousel) are everywhere.
The
horses themselves are such a draw. Kids get excited about
the horses. Adults get excited about the horses. And before
you know it, you’re kind of drawn in to the whole Gentle
Carousel program. It’s a very easy, non-threatening way to
engage our community around just worthy causes.
I
think it’s Magic. Most definitely Magic. You see the horse.
When that horse walked in as old as I am, it was like ohhhh!
We
opened up a neighborhood library resource center recently. And I
said, we have to get the horses there. That will draw the
entire community to come out and see the horses but also
learn about the new programs that we’re bringing to the
community. So of course, they were a big hit. All the kids
in the family want to see the horses and then we told them
what else we had to offer them.
As
long as we can keep them going through our donations they
touch so many other programs in our community. They make a
significant difference in the lives of the people in this
community with their work. And not just this community,
everywhere that they go they have a big impact."
Quoted
from the documentary
LITTLE
MIRACLES
about Gentle Carousel
horses.
 
Joe Camp, film writer,
producer, director, bestselling author and man behind the canine
superstar
BENJI
donated his time and flew from
California
to help Gentle Carousel.
"It’s
making a difference. They’re making a big difference.
The
big charities, the big animal charities, get too boggled
up in making plans and doing reports and getting
paperwork done …
These
people are the real deal.
They’re down there in the trenches doing it and they’re
making big differences...
Quoted
from the documentary LITTLE MIRICLES about Gentle
Carousel horses.
Joe Camp (with canine movie
star Benji) signing videos and copies of his bestselling book
The
Soul Of A Horse to raise money for Gentle Carousel's
Reading Is Magic.
 
James Gurney, the
best-selling author and illustrator of the Dinotopia book
series has created more than seventy illustrated book
covers, worked on assignment as a National Geographic
artist, illustrated seventeen United States postage
stamps... and made a little something for Gentle Carousel!
  
Stacey Hayes, Sun Trust Bank, VP with Client Advisor and
Private Wealth Management
"I
met Debbie and Jorge a couple of years ago as a client
of Sun Trust Bank. And I heard their story and what they
were doing and was just so impressed Gentle Carousel and
Reading Is Magic and the horse therapy and I just
had to get involved with it.
I
just can’t say enough nice things about what they do in
our community. We’re so thankful that we have them in
our community.
It
has been a very tough year so Sun Trust bank, along with
the other banking institutions, has been very cautious
about where they place their money. So when someone
comes and asks for a donation we are certainly
scrutinizing that and making sure that our money is
being used to the best resources possible and this is
one. Reading is Magic... It’s just something that we’re very, very
honored to be a part of. "
Quoted
from the documentary
LITTLE
MIRACLES
about Gentle Carousel
horses.
We absolutely love the
award winning illustrations of Chris Soentpiet. Chris has won
an NAACP Image Award: Outstanding Literary Work, Society of
Illustrators Gold Metal, International Reading Award - Children's
Book of the Year (three times) and so many others.
 
President Bush
reads
More Than Anything Else.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS (Saturday, February 10, 2001)
Magic and friends present a signed Chris Soentpiet
poster to the library.
Chris Soentpiet donated
beautiful signed prints of his amazing artwork for Gentle Carousel's
2009 fundraiser. He has also signed posters for us to deliver
to our current Reading Is Magic schools and libraries. Thank you so much Chris for your support of
Gentle Carousel.
 
We
use books by
Newbery Award
winner Linda Sue Park in
our reading program.
  
"...Thank you for all the work you
do.
...Reading is Magic!"
-
Linda
Sue Park
    
Therapy
Horse Magic appearing on
The
Ilene Silverman Show.
"What you have to get across, is that these are highly
trained horses. And they go into an environment, a
situation, circumstances where only a trained horse such
as this can navigate himself...
They seem to have an innate sense of how to go to the
person they are there to comfort.
I
think that people who have such genuine, giving spirits
like Debbie and Jorge, there is no price for it.
First of all, there’s no charge for what they do. They
feed the horses and prepare them and get them ready. They don’t ask for anything in
return except to do good, and there is no price on that.
We
can
support
what
they’re doing, we can find our way.
...They have expanded into a
literacy program Reading is Magic. They bring the books
to life through the horses who represent the characters
in the books.
If
they don’t do it. Who would? That’s the magic."
Ilene
Silverman, Host of The Ilene Silverman Show
Quoted
from the documentary
LITTLE
MIRACLES about Gentle Carousel
horses.
"What 'Reading Is Magic' does for kids by going into
schools and igniting excitement for reading a story is beyond
compare. Keep the hoofbeats going."
Carl Joseph, Author of SOME CALLED ME SUPERSTAR
 
Joseph started
two years at nose guard and captained the
football team his senior year, cleared 5-10 in
the high jump and dunked a basketball. He did
all of this by hopping on a right leg that was
almost as wide as his waist. He didn’t wear an
artificial limb. They were not allowed in
competition. People who watched him said he
looked like a “bewitched jackhammer” on the
playing field.
Carl Joseph,
was just elected to the Florida High School Hall
of Fame.
Hi Jorge and Debbie:
"...I do remember you and your (adopted) children well
... and I think that the use of horses is wonderful for
children with self-regulation and attachment issues (the
classic problems with so many children in the CPS system
as you are aware). I would be happy to talk with you
about this...
Keep up your work.
With
Respect,
Bruce Perry
--Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Fellow
The ChildTrauma Academy
Author Jessica
Burkhart and Therapy Horse Magic.
To
The Volunteers of Gentle Carousel,
Always follow your dreams... Never let anyone tell
you that you can't do something. Stay positive and
stay strong. You have the ability to make amazing
things happen!
Love,
Jessica Burkhart
   
"To Gentle Carousel Therapy
Horses,
You are making
magic everyday with each child you help..."
-
Dianne Ochiltree
  
"...Keep up the wonderful work you do. I often tell people
that Lassie was the first therapy dog--the first to be
allowed in hospitals more than 50 years ago!"
Best, Jon
(Jon Provost -
Appeared as Timmy Martin on Lassie)
Anna Grossnickle Hines is the
author and illustrator of over 50 children's books. We use
several of her books in our reading program.
"To Magic and Gentle Carousel -
You have a wonderful program.
Thank you for bringing joy to children... Keep reading! It is
magic!"
-Anna Grossnickle Hines
    
Gentle Carousel director
with author Michael Storrings.
Michael
Storrings is an award-winning illustrator, designer,
and art director who lives and works in New York
City. He is the recipient of awards from the
American Institute of Graphic Artists, the Art
Directors Club, the Society of Illustrators, Print
Magazine, the New York Book Show, and he has the
distinction of winning the very first Edgar Award
for cover design.
Cynthia Nixon:
Michael Storrings's
wonderful watercolors evoke so much of the
enchantment of Christmas in the city that I felt as
a child.
Regis Philbin:
Nobody celebrates
Christmas like New Yorkers. And no town gets all
dressed up like New York at Christmastime. It's a
feast for the eyes. It's happiness and good cheer on
every corner and Michael Storrings has captured it
all for you in this book.
The Honorable David
N. Dinkins:
This remarkable book
gives visitors and residents alike the chance to
take home with them the many wonders of the holiday
season in New York. Michael Storrings shows us New
York City at its glittering best.
Mr. Storrings
has offered to help provide books for the Reading Is
Magic program.
"Reading Is
Magic,
Thank you for
helping children learn to read...
-
Michael
Storrings"
Magic with four-time Olympian and ten-time US Female
Equestrian Athlete of the Year, Karen O'Connor.
Magic with David O'Connor,
president of the United States Equestrian
Federation, Olympic gold medalist and Pan
American Games and World Equestrian Games
medalist.
Gentle
Carousel's READING IS MAGIC is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit charity.
Your
donations are tax deductible.
There is
something about the outside of a horse that is good for the
inside of a man." ~Winston Churchill
|
Magic selected Most Heroic Pet In America. See her
in AARP the Magazine.
What an honor and thrill to have Gentle Carousel's
Sundance as a riveting character in JASON AND ELIHU.-Shelley
Fraser Mickle
; "Life in the Galloping Lane, O'Connor")
