Supporters of UpReach Therapeutic Riding Center gathered for the annual Diamonds and Denim benefit at the Manchester County Club on Oct. 27, celebrating the center’s 20th anniversary.

Past and current clients, volunteers and community members attended the “cocktail party with a purpose” to raise funds for UpReach, which started with a borrowed horse and one volunteer in 1992.

That volunteer was Edie Loeb Tomasko, daughter of the late William Loeb. Loeb was the longtime publisher of the New Hampshire Union Leader. Also involved in the founding of the nonprofit was Tomasko’s sister, Nackey Scagliotti, former owner of Neighborhood News and daughter of the late Nackey S. Loeb. Mrs. Loeb also served as publisher of the Union Leader.

“The energy in the room is full of thanksgiving,” said Barbara Miles, director of development at UpReach, who described the event as a night of discovery and making friends.

UpReach’s mission is to improve the development, both physical and emotional, of challenged children and adults through progressive therapies centered around horses.

Those attending the event dug deep to give the nonprofit a financial boost in its biggest fundraiser of the year.

Ticket sales alone brought in about $7,500, and roughly $35,000 worth of silent auction items were up for bid, which included a broad range of offerings.

Deanna Sheldon attended the party with her high school-aged son, Dean, who donated a watercolor painting for the silent auction.

“I’m here just to thank them,” Sheldon said. “If it weren’t for his time at UpReach, I don’t know if he’d be an artist today. I totally believe in the therapy they provide.”

Sue Kannenberg, who escorted her client Barbie Piecuch to the party, began volunteering at UpReach 12 years ago, and is an ambassador for the center.

“An UpReach ambassador is someone who praises and speaks publicly about UpReach,” she said. “My original draw was the love of horses, but now it’s the love of my clients.”

Cathy McDonald’s son has been a client at UpReach for 10 years, since the age of 2.

“He needed the physical therapy at that age, and why not make it in a fun environment?” she said. “We were lucky to have found it.”

Cathy McDonald said that despite financial ups and downs over the past two decades, the challenges have been worth it, and people truly enjoy supporting the center’s endeavors.

“People like to help people, and you get to see the results, see clients getting better and stronger – who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?” she said.

Miles said the center would not be able to function without its volunteers, which now number about 120.

Randy Pierce was recognized at the event for epitomizing the essence of UpReach. Pierce, who is blind, has climbed all of the mountains in the Presidential Range, and echoed Miles’ sentiments about the importance of volunteers.