WELLINGTON, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2018) – Douglas Elliman Real Estate has saddled up with Give Back for Special Equestrians, and honorary co-hosts Georgina Bloomberg and Jimmy Torano, for the second year in a row for a glamorous evening of world-class Grand Prix Show Jumping and philanthropy in support of special needs riders.
The exclusive benefit will take place on March 10th during Week 9 of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida to celebrate the occasion of the $384,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix.
Georgina Bloomberg
Hosted by Scott Durkin, President and COO of Douglas Elliman, Gus Rubio, COO of Douglas Elliman’s Florida Brokerage, Co-Founders of Give Back for Special Equestrians Sissy DeMaria-Koehne and Dr. Heather Kuhl, the lavish ringside gala will take place in the gallery overlooking the Grand Prix Show ring and will feature a lively DJ, cocktails and dinner. The evening’s program also includes a special guest appearance from Natalia C. Cercone, an extra-ability rider who will share her inspiring journey of healing. Cercone’s personal story and life experiences translate into a message of inclusion and adaptability that is impactful and life-changing to all who listen. Proceeds raised from the gala will provide annual scholarships for therapeutic horseback riding lessons and a renewed path toward healing and hope for children and veterans with disabilities.
“This event touches on our brand ethos of supporting Douglas Elliman’s friends, agents and clients in the equestrian arena as well as important philanthropic efforts within the communities we serve. Our long-term partnership with the Wellington Equestrian Festival greatly exemplifies that dual philosophy,” said Scott Durkin.
“Douglas Elliman is pleased to partner for the second year in a row with Give Back for Special Equestrians. Therapeutic horseback riding has many physical benefits for people with disabilities like improving balance, posture and eye-hand coordination while also helping to build self-esteem, self-confidence and self-control,” said Jay Phillip Parker, CEO of Douglas Elliman’s Florida Brokerage. “We are happy to help support children and veterans who can best benefit from this life changing therapy.”
Jimmy Torano
Give Back for Special Equestrians, formerly known as Give a Buck for Special Equestrians, is a Florida-based nonprofit 501C3, whose mission is to provide therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted scholarships for disabled children and veterans throughout Florida and New York. The all-volunteer charity founded in 2013 by Sissy DeMaria-Koehne, along with Dr. Heather Kuhl and Isabel Ernst, aims to share in the joy of horses and horsemanship with those suffering from physical, mental and emotional difficulties so they can experience the many benefits of therapeutic and equine-assisted horseback riding.
“Thanks to Douglas Elliman, Give Back has made significant strides giving back more than $100,000 in support of special equestrians. We are so grateful for their commitment which enables us to continue to give more individuals living with mental, cognitive or emotional disabilities direct access to ‘horsepower’ that heals. I also want to express my gratitude to our honorary co-chairs Georgina Bloomberg and Jimmy Torano as well as our board and media partner Sidelines Magazine,” said Sissy DeMaria-Koehne, Founder of Give a Buck for Special Equestrians.
About Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Established in 1911, Douglas Elliman Real Estate is the largest brokerage in the New York Metropolitan area and the fourth largest residential real estate company nationwide. With more than 7,000 agents, the company operates approximately 113 offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, Long Island, the Hamptons & North Fork, Westchester, Greenwich, South Florida, Boston, Colorado and California. Moreover, Douglas Elliman has a strategic global alliance with London-based Knight Frank Residential for business in the worldwide luxury markets spanning 60 countries and six continents. The company also controls a portfolio of real estate services including Douglas Elliman Development Marketing; Manhattan’s largest residential property manager, Douglas Elliman Property Management with over 250 buildings; and DE Commercial. For more information on Douglas Elliman as well as expert commentary on emerging trends in the real estate industry, please visit elliman.com.
About Give Back for Special Equestrians
Give Back for Special Equestrians, formerly Give a Buck for Special Equestrians, is a Florida-based nonprofit 501©3. The all-volunteer organization founded by Sissy DeMaria-Koehne, Dr. Heather Kuhl and Isabel Ernst in Vero Beach, Florida in 2013, provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine assisted scholarships for disabled children and veterans through its partner stables in New York and Florida. Give Back for Special Equestrians aims to share the joy of horses and horsemanship with those facing some of life’s most difficult physical, emotional and mental challenges and enable them to experience the life-changing benefits of horsepower that heals. Through its Young Ambassador program, youth between the of ages 7-17 are encouraged to pay forward their blessings through active volunteerism. Young Ambassadors meet monthly during the school year and assist with a variety of fund and “friend” raising activities. For more information please visit www.giveabuckeq.org
