The Legacy Ranch Plans Annual Charity Golf Outing On May 23

LOCKPORT, IL — The Legacy Ranch in Lockport will host its largest fundraiser of the year on May 23 with its annual charity golf outing in Woodridge. The nonprofit provides equine-assisted therapy services for people with physical, developmental or emotional challenges.

The fundraiser golf outing will be held at Seven Bridges Golf Club, and includes golf and dinner.

"Equine-assisted therapy is beneficial because the horse's rhythmic movement mimics the human walk, stimulating muscle memory and improving balance, coordination, and posture," Executive Director Kate Rasmussen told Patch. She notes that other benefits including building a bond with a horse which fosters trust, confidence and self-esteem; and the social interaction in the program which can enhance communication skills and socialization skills.

The ranch offers adaptive riding, physical therapy, speech therapy, mental health therapy, occupational therapy, veteran programming, homeschooling programming, senior programming and more.

The May event is the nonprofit's biggest fundraiser, and proceeds help to provide financial aid to individuals and families in need of the therapeutic services that the ranch provides, Rasmussen said.

The nonprofit is still accepting sponsors for the event, and you can register for golf and dinner online (or just a dinner-only option if you don't want to golf). The dinner will include music, a silent auction, raffles and games.

"Proceeds [from the event] will also help us expand our programming so we are able to serve more of the community without having to require wait lists for those in need," Rasmussen said. She added that a percentage of the proceeds goes toward bringing the ranch's Special Olympics Equestrian team to the state games in October.

The 20-acre farm is located at 2705 S. Farrell Road, in Lockport. The nonprofit also hosts birthday parties, scout troop badges, family days and corporate team building. The ranch is open year-round, and its facility is ADA compliant and temperature-controlled.