Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center, located near Diana, has met the challenge to receive a $25,000 matching-fund grant from an anonymous donor.

“We will receive the grant if we raise a matching sum of $25,000 by Dec. 25,” Margo Dewkett, the center’s executive director, had said in announcing the challenge for donors to match the grant in early December.

On Tuesday, Mrs. Dewkett said that “Windridge was responsible for raising $25,000 to receive the $25,000 the anonymous donor was giving us through the matching grant offer.

“We did it! East Texans came to our aid once again to help us raise the funds necessary that resulted in Windridge receiving over $25,000.”

She said the funds received from the matching grant are allocated toward scholarships for children and adults participating in Windridge’s therapeutic riding and driving programs. Windridge does not turn anyone away due to inability to pay the class fee.

“Windridge charges $30 per class time, which 67 percent of our program participants cannot afford as a result of single-income families or limited income, high medical bills, lack of insurance or no insurance, to highlight only a few reasons,” she said.

“Windridge does not receive sate or federal funds—we exist solely from East Texans’ support,” Mrs. Dewkett said. “We are ever so grateful.

“We continue to be amazed by the incredible generosity of our supporters, who want no recognition and expect nothing in return,” she said.

She said that they are grateful for any amount someone can donate.

Windridge uses horses in therapy for students and their families.

Their mailing address is P.O. Box 5932, Longview, TX 75608, and the phone number is 903-797-2414.

For more information, go to their web site at www.windridgetexas.org.