Pal-O-Mine Invites You: “The Mane Event”

Join Pal-O-Mine Equestrian for “The Mane Event” this June, where they are excited to lean into celebrating the Year of the Horse! Ticket holders will get to meet the horses, complete horse themed art projects, and experience education stations and games suited for all ages. Children under 3 get in free. It’s a fun way to spend a Friday afternoon while helping Pal-O-Mine raise funds required to achieve their healing ambitions.

For more than 30 years, Pal-O-Mine Equestrian has been proving the healing power of horses. Their therapeutic equine program, serves children and adults with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the economically compromised. 

Read this article we wrote with Pal-O-Mine some years ago, visit their website to learn even more, then join them for a fabulous afternoon. 
 
What: “The Mane Event” Fundraiser benefiting Pal-O-Mine Equestrian
Where: Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, 829 Old Nichols Rd, Islandia
When: June 19, 2026, 2-6PM
Details: View the flier below, and visit www.pal-o-mine.org
 

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Pal-O-Mine Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser

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Here’s a fun way to support an awesome, healing organization: Pal-O-Mine’s upcoming murder mystery dinner. It provides immediate amusement, while giving us an opportunity to provide enduring support. 

For more than 30 years, Pal-O-Mine Equestrian has been proving the healing power of horses. Their mission, which involved healing through their therapeutic equine program, serves children and adults with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the economically compromised. 

Read this article we wrote with Pal-O-Mine, visit their website to learn even more, then join them for a fabulous evening. 
 
What: Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser benefiting Pol-O-Mine Equestrian
Where: American Legion Babylon Post 94, 22 Grove Place, Babylon, NY 11702
When: March 28, 2026, Doors Open 6:30, Dinner Begins 7:15
Details: $40 tax deductible ticket includes dinner, An Interactive Murder Mystery Show, Door Prizes, and access to 50/50 raffle baskets.
Contact: Pat Enright 631-428-5407 (Text), Erin Horn 631-807-1549, or stop by the bar at Post 94 and see Margaret.
 www.pal-o-mine.org
 
Please note: Tickets are limited. Early purchase is encouraged.

Pal-O-Mine Events!

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is celebrating 30 years of service! Since 1995, they’ve provided a comprehensive therapeutic equine program, using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing among children and adults with disabilities, survivors of trauma and abuse, the military and the impoverished. Their J-STEP program goes further, using the more agricultural aspects of the farm setting to serve young adults with disabilities by teaching job-readiness skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, as well as independent living skills including organization, hygiene, finance, and nutrition.

They invite you to Save the Date for a number of upcoming events that offer opportunities to connect with and support their work. First up is an Open House happening September 7th, 11am-3pm. Open to the public, this a great way to learn about Pal-O-Mine and how they may help. For those who already understand the deep value, please consider supporting Pal-O-Mine’s 30th Anniversary Celebration, which is occurring Saturday September 20th at 4:30pm.  Additional fundraisers specifically to support work with Veterans and NYPD folk will occur October 19th at 10am. A truly lovely holiday event, Their Winter Wonderland will be happening December 5-7.

Visit the Pal-O-Mine Equestrian website to learn more!    

J-STEP Hopes Folks Will Help Build a Kitchen

J-STEP Interns welcome you!

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is hoping folks will help build an accessible kitchen for its J-STEP (Job Security Through Equine Partnership) Vocational Internship program.

The Program

We’ve written about Pal-O-Mine before. Having served Long Island since 1995, some say their job is working miracles. Really, though, with the support of generous friends and foundation grants, what Pal-O-Mine does is provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program, using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing among children and adults with disabilities, survivors of trauma and abuse, the military and the impoverished.

Their J-STEP program goes further, serving young adults with disabilities by teaching job-readiness skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, as well as independent living skills including organization, hygiene, finance, and nutrition.  J-STEP Interns plant and maintain their own flower and vegetable gardens, create and sell their own self-care line as well as run a successful CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. They also create and sell artisan crafts.

Why a Kitchen?

Gardening and farming directly relate to cooking as they provide the ingredients. Gardening, on a smaller scale, and farming, on a larger scale, involve growing plants, including vegetables, fruits, and herbs, which are then used in cooking to create meals. This connection extends beyond providing ingredients, fostering a deeper understanding of where food comes from and promoting healthier eating habits.

One essential independent living skill is the ability to cook and make nutritious meals. Being able to cook can generally improve overall health. It brings people together, relieves stress, can help people to save money, and is a source of great joy and personal confidence. Furthermore, learning to cook develops other key skills, such as time management, following instructions, and kitchen safety.

What Will it Take?

Pal-O-Mine spans across 13 acres. J-STEP is located on one of these acres. It includes a roadside farm stand, an accessible, temperature-controlled greenhouse, and their own small house where J-STEP interns do most of their work.  The house consists of a bathroom and 3 small work areas that are separated by half-walls. In consultation with a building contractor, they estimate it will cost $250,000 to add a room with plumbing, electricity, and the latest kitchen equipment.

They ask for your help by funding this project so they they can help their interns live happy and healthy lives. They also hope you’ll check out the events below, and come see what the whole farm is about! 

You may also simply donate.

Thank you for your kind consideration

Upcoming Events at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian: 9/7, 11am-3pm, Open House, Open to the public. 9/20, 5pm, 30th Anniversary Celebration 10/19, Vet Fest and NYPD Fundraiser 12/5-7, Winter Wonderland. Events will be held at the farm, 819 Old Nichols Rd, Islandia. Visit their website for details.

The Spirit Endures: The Jarrett Engelhardt Pagano Scholarship Fund

Photo of Jarrett Engelhardt Pagano provided by Nancy Engelhardt

Photo of Jarrett Engelhardt Pagano provided by Nancy Engelhardt

I recently shared how lovely the Pal-O-Mine Winter Wonderland was. It was one of those days that most would call miserable, but there, it was just fine. Warm and cozy if not outright sunny. 

I was glad to run into dear Nancy Engelhardt. She’s the reason I know what Pal-O-Mine is. We were all connected through Leadership Huntington and she introduced me. She’s been a board member herself there for 12 years now. 

I wrote a long, beautiful story about Nancy, herself, years ago for The Corridor: Long Island’s Journal for Strategic Alliances. It seemed like a full and accomplished life then. What she’s done since is remarkable. That’s for another day, tho. In this moment, I hugged and told her I loved her.

Her son, Jarrett, recently passed. As her eyes held volumes more, Nancy smiled, speaking of the faith that is never far from her lips and how she is grateful to feel him still, especially here. She asked if I’d seen the video of Pal-O-Mine Founder Lisa Gatti at his services. 

There, Lisa shared her story of the handsome, charming young man who came to volunteer at 17 and became a fundamental part of this healing place. She smiled, recounting his passion for the horses and the day a boy with autism whom he worked with spoke for the first time.

I told her I had.

The Jarrett Engelhardt Pagano Scholarship Fund

Lisa had emphasized the indelible mark Jarrett Engelhardt Pagano had left on the farm and how his spirit would live on through all he’d touched there. Nancy was grateful to say that friends had come together to establish a Pal-o-Mine scholarship fund in his honor as a way he might keep serving all he loved there.

If you’d like to join them in keeping his spirit alive and give the gift of equine healing, you may do so here.

It’s a deeply meaningful, uplifting way to give.

Photo of Jarrett and a young Pal-O-Mine student many years ago. Image provided by Pal-O-Mine Equestrian
Photo of Jarrett and a young Pal-O-Mine student many years ago. Image provided by Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

Pal-O-Mine Hay Drive Ends 5/15 – Donate Today!

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Pal-O-Mine’s very important Hay Drive is coming to a close. Please them fill the remaining gap!

Read this article we wrote with Pal-O-Mine. Visit their website to learn even more about this amazing healing place. Then help them raise the $20,000 needed to feed these amazing horses!

This webpage explains everything about the Hay Drive. You can give online or send a check made payable to “Pal-O-Mine Equestrian” to 829 Old Nichols Rd, Islandia, NY 11749.
 
Bottom line: $15 buys a bale. As of this writing, they’ve raised $15,635 through 114 donors. Thank you to all who are helping them fill that loft! 

Pal-O-Mine Stable Spirits Art Show & Auction Fundraiser

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Pal-O-Mine Stable Spirits Art Show and Auction: A fun way to support an amazing healing organization!
 
Read this article we wrote with Pal-O-Mine, visit their website to learn even more, and then join them for a fabulous evening as they transform their barn into an art gallery and creative space. Guests will enjoy art by local artists along with wines paired with delicious small bites. Attendees will participate in the creation of a themed mural to be hung in the on-site Occupational Therapy in Motion and Speech Language Pathology in Motion Location.
 
What: Pal-O-Mine Stable Spirits Art Show & Auction
Where: 829 Old Nichols Rd, Islandia
When: May 4th, 5:30-8:30pm
Details: $60 tax deductible ticket includes 4 wine tastings, paired small bites, door prize ticket, interactive mural painting with Splashes of Hope. 
Contact: 631-348-1389, www.pal-o-mine.org
 
Please note: Tickets MUST be purchased in advance and will NOT be available at the door.