Personal Ponies Ltd

Merry Christmas Fom Sammy!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 03:19:00 +0000

Sammy Hands, our Personal Ponies 2006 theme child, would like to wish each and every one of you a VERY Merry Christmas!!!

Casey and Courtney!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 01:47:00 +0000

Our daughter Courtney turned 8 on August 12th and here is her photo, taken early in the morning (in her My Little Pony PJ's), holding her beloved CASEY!!! She absolutely LOVES him and takes him everywhere with her !

Just thought you might like to see one happy girl and her new pony, which Mariane THINKS might be the last Casey.....

Marie

Personal Ponies Harvest

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 01:42:00 +0000

Personal Ponies Produce Large Crop of Veggies For Area Familles

With a lot of help from the ponies (The North Branch Michigan Personal Ponies Crew) we are bringing in a bumper crop of produce these year, Just look What Goldie Pony, Tessa Marie, Mary Beth and I, Mary K., Picked today!

This Bushel and a Peck was taken to North Branch Food Bank to help fill the bags and boxes that the dear ladies at the
(North Branch Thrift Shop) fill each and every week for the area's familles in need of a little help.

The ponies are always busy doing their part and even like to help harvest. You could just tell that Goldie knew just what she was doing and was so pleased with today's pick that she hauled with her little borrowed goat cart out of the garden with out spilling one bean!

Mary K.

Hawaii Comes To PPL!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 01:39:00 +0000

Just returned from a FABULOUS vacation in Hawaii!!!! Sugar Lips was NOT HAPPY she didn't get to tag along, but quickly forgave me, the second she slipped into her newest outfit! Doesn't she look wonderful!!!? Sammy, our PPL 2006 Theme Child, joined Sugar this morning for their own little Hula dance!

Sandra

Canada Magic!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 01:28:00 +0000

I recently received the most beautiful gift I've been given in a long time!! When people ask me "Why would you just GIVE AWAY PONIES"? Check out the attached pictures I received of Kali and Daisy. Kali will be 4 in August and is dealing with end stage cancer. She is the first recipient of some Canadian Pony Magic ........
Lois

Can You Find The Foal?

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 01:19:00 +0000

Patty

A Wonderful Speech By A Young Volunteer

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 01:10:00 +0000

A wonderful speech young volunteer wrote....she was bat mitzvahed and did her volunteer hours with us.(bat mitzvah is when a jewish child turns 13 they read from the torah to symbolize becoming adult.)

She read this for her speech.

Denise

My mitzvah project is for a national organization called Personal Ponies. Personal Ponies breeds Shetland ponies and lends them to children with disabilities for free. My job was to get the ponies ready for their new social life by feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after the ponies, as well as teaching them to be comfortable with other people. I did this by petting them, walking them on a lead, learning each pony’s personality and getting them accustomed to loud noises and sudden movements. I think my mitzvah project relates to my haftarah because just like Samson was born to help the needy, my volunteer work will help needy kids. I know what it’s like to have an animal to care for, because this year we got a new dog, a whippet named Carly. I love to snuggle her, and she helps me burn off energy when I am excited by playing with me and she helps me relax by cuddling with me.

Everyone who works for Personal Ponies is a volunteer. For example, the woman who owns and breeds the ponies I worked with, Denise Chasin, cares for the ponies herself and pays for everything, even though they are expensive and require a lot of time and effort. By working there, I felt like I became part of the family that is Personal Ponies. We stick together through good times and bad times. One happy event is about to happen: one of the ponies is pregnant and will soon have a baby, and I will get to hold and cuddle the baby pony, to get it used to being touched. But sometimes, bad things happen: one of the ponies the Chasins were hoping to breed cannot become a mother because she was found to have an underbite. The Chasins will still care for the pony, but she can’t be a mother. I would like to thank the Chasins for letting me participate in this worthy program and look forward to spending a lot of time there this summer.

Personal Ponies - Delaware

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 01:00:00 +0000

This photo was just too cute to keep to myself....I had to share it with everyone. We really are having a wonderful time sharing our new foal with everyone. Glory seems to be quite a "show off" and very much enjoys being around people - as you can see!

Patty

Kathy gets her boys!!!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:48:00 +0000

I'm absolutely THRILLED to announce the arrival of Donovan and Delaney to the Tripp family, of Georgia! Kathy has Cerebral Palsy and is deaf. I'm POSITIVE she's communicating just fine with her new special friends despite her lack of expressive language! I'd like to thank Donna Blood for transporting the two boys, along with her new placement Misty Star, and making a little girls dreams come true! No longer will Kathy have to watch her sisters enjoying their horses from the other side of a fence. As you can see, Kathy got RIGHT IN THERE! NOTHING is stopping her now!!!

Sandra

100% Sugar and Sami

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:39:00 +0000

This is Sami during her 3rd pony visit. Sami has Downs Syndrome. The first visit she was petrified, and barely able to make any physical contact with the ponies. The second visit, she played "Peek-a-Boo" with the ponies and let me tickle her fingers with some mane! Her 3rd visit is captured in photos added here. That very same little girl helped wash Cookie face, took him for a walk around the property and then sat down in the stall with a resting "Oopsie Daisy" and inspected every inch of her! How's that for magic!!!!!?

Oopsie Daisy is 100% SUGAR!!!!!

Sandra

A Pony For All Ages

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:34:00 +0000

Late last night I printed a special picture! I framed it...wrapped it in a gift bag, and placed it in my son Jacobs backpack for him to take to school this morning. Inside the bag there's a card that reads..."Wish you could have been there to see the ponies making magic! Your sweet mom STILL finds pleasure out of life!" You see...the Senior Rest Facility we visit every month is the "home" of "Miss Barbara's" mom. (Totally by coincidence!) "Miss Barbara" is Jacob's speech pathologist at school. She's been working with him since he was a little tot and had no speech! We've been visiting this facility now for 4 months or so. Each time, "Florence" had not attended. I asked Miss Barbara to request that next time her mom be wheeled out to participate. Her response was.."I'll ask. but these days she doesn't get pleasure out of very much." Yesterday...there she was waiting with the rest of the residents in her wheelchair as we unloaded the ponies! We proved them all wrong!!! Look at the expression of her face!!! She even made up a nickname for Sugar lips..."Baby Girl"!!!!! Alzheimer's and all, I don't think they'll let her miss another pony visit from "Baby Girl" again!!!!

Sandra

An eBay Celebrity Chooses PPL for a New Auction!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:54:00 +0000

SierraFaith, Famous eBay Celeb has chosen PPL for her latest auction. Please visit and put it on watch. With just a few mouse clicks you can help her support PPL. Thank you!
Title above is a direct link to the auction.

Kenny Chesney Rocks on eBay in Support of PPL!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 18:57:00 +0000

Title above is link directly to auction. Please put us on watch. With just a few mouse clicks you can support PPL. Thank you!

So hard to say "Goodbye"

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Thu, 25 May 2006 19:53:00 +0000

I met Bianca when our ponies first arrived and we were having a "Breakfast With The Ponies" in the park event for the community. It was announced in the newspaper, and that is how Bianca's mother first found us. It was a special day for Bianca. Not only did she meet her wonderful pony friends, but it was her birthday! Her mother told me that the newspaper announcing the pony breakfast was a birthday gift from heaven to Bianca!!!! Tuesday, Bianca's family moved from Florida to Connecticut. Before they left, a stop at the barn was in order!

Many farewell hugs and kisses of course!

And then my gift... A small box with an angel inside! Bianca hugged me and said..."You have been my Angel of Healing...Thank you! I will never forget you!" Sure enough, on the bottom of the Angel it reads...

The real "Angels of Healing" are the Personal Ponies!!! Bianca will always hold a special place in my heart...as will her angel. The Angel now sits on a post at the farm, that encloses a memorial garden for the charity "Tomorrow's Rainbow". (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for children that are grieving the loss of a parent, sibling or close friend)
Tomorrow's Rainbow
Having the privilege to know Bianca, was my real gift!

Giant Hugs To Everyone For Mother's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Sun, 14 May 2006 21:44:00 +0000

Photo Courtesy of Brandy in California

Do Personal Ponies REALLY make a difference in the lives of differently able children?

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Sat, 13 May 2006 04:57:00 +0000

By Sandra Seiden

You Bet!!!

I Watched

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 06:24:00 +0000

By Tammy Junker

I watched miracles happen yesterday without actually being witness to the one I've waited for so long for. I watched as I met two very special ponies sent to the Illinois PPL program by Annie Norvelle out of love and dedication and brought to me through a series of hands. I watched as they were so carefully loaded onto the trailer I was pulling with the loan of a pickup from my brother and I watched as we pulled out onto a busy street and began another leg of the journey that would bring them closer to their next destination. I watched as we headed north and my cell phone rang with the news that CJ was beginning to foal. Through the instant panic and feeling of no control of the situation I watched as a network of friends and family went into action to make her more comfortable and to help bring a new life into this world. I watched and realized that I didn't need to be right there in that stall, that I had another task just as important to do. During all the calls and spoken directions to the willing hands of my wonderful niece Lauren and her boyfriend Dennis I watched as the results of a lifetime of caring and love were given back to me tenfold. Through phone calls to and from Annie, Joy, Melissa, Jana and Natalie I watched as the circle of friends that had widened over the past few weeks broadened into a shared love that brought me to my knees and filled my heart with a joy that is rare and ever so precious. I watched as I cursed my stupidity for overlooking that gas gauge that would allow me to bring the girls to safety at our home and not leave us stranded by the wayside. I watched as I became calm inside and asked for another miracle - just a couple of more miles, just a couple of more miles - to fill the greedy tank and that miracle was also granted. When I pulled into the drive at home, I took a moment to watch all of the family and friends sharing a miracle started almost a year ago and then I stepped into that welcoming circle and I watched again as I approached the stall to see the miracle that brought us all together. I watched as CJ heard my step and realized I was there and I watched as her eyes grew soft upon me seeing baby Frankie for the first time. Other eyes watched as I welcomed him to our world. I watched and I learned yesterday that every day the true miracle of our daily life is the friends we bring into our circles of lives and . . . I gave thanks for all of you.

Tammy

A Foal Birth for Easter?

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:42:00 +0000

We've all been doing the MareStare for Heartland Magic's Frankie. The little dickens is taking his time arriving and then bright and early this morning Sierra Faith from The Grapevine Newsletter (You can sign up for the newsletter at the following email address: beyond@grapevinenewsletters.com) has predicted that we will have an Easter foal. What could be more awesome!?

If you haven't been on MareStare with us, then now is the time to tune in. Let's see if we have an Easter Foal. Here's how .........

Log onto www.MareStare.com

Click on the link in the top left area that says "live cams".

Scroll a bit until you see "Heartland Magic" and that click will take you to Tammy's live cam.

Come celebrate the birth of Heartland Magic's Frankie with us and pay tribute to a wonderful man named Frank.

Name Our Pony: Our eBay Auction Fundraiser

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 20:55:00 +0000

Recently, we teamed up for a fun new eBay event for Personal Ponies. Tammy Junker's mare, CJ, is ready to foal and she generously decided to help raise funds for PPL by auctioning the right to Name the Pony! We had a total blast and the auction made it to the Pulse very quickly! We ended the auction with almost 1500 hits, 85 watchers and even more importantly, a lot of new PPL friends!

Even though the auction is over it can still be seen on eBay. Item number 5673977506

The auction was open only moments before we launched into spreading the word. Just putting up the auction is the easy part. The leg work, or in this case, keyboard work, is time consuming. Any one auction can get lost in the millions of others if we don't do as much as possible to let people know it exists and we're only just now learning the tricks of the trade. Not only did a lot of our PPL family jump in to help but a lot of the people we've met on eBay helped as well. Special thanks to Tammy, Kevin, G and Joy for diving in to get us going.

The auction seemed to take on a life of it's own and surged forward. Ebay friends also jumped in to help pass the word, starting with the great network of eBay friends at www.auctiongab.net and we were even honored as Sierra's Top Pick of the Week in the "Beyond the Grapevine Newsletter"! (You can sign up for the newsletter at the following email address: beyond@grapevinenewsletters.com) It all culminated by being blessed with a truly awesome buyer and an awesome reason that she bid on our auction so diligently. I know you will agree that it's a perfect match for PPL.

The rest of the story is told best by our winning bidder, Melissa Osburn:

Frank Schwartz (photo below) was an awesome friend to many. Actually he would always have a kind greeting for everyone he met, even if it was just online. He would give them unconditional caring, love, friendship, joy and comfort. He was the best friend a person could have ever asked for. I was told about the ebay auction the night of it starting. I found out the next day, that that was the same time our wonderful friend Frank had passed. I felt it was a sign from above that I was to bid and win the auction to name the pony after Frank. I contacted many other friends online that knew Frank and told them he had passed , but there was this auction on ebay....and.... I wanted to win it. I wanted to name this pony after Frank, to see his name and all he represented and stood for to us, carry on. Now the end result ..... There is a pony going to be born soon, and as soon as it comes in to the world Tammy can greet FRANKIE and welcome FRANKIE. I thank all of you at PPL and Tammy Junker for the opportunity to name this pony.
Melissa Osburn aka...mrsdannyo

We've also received a lovely email from Franks family:
Hi, this is April Schwartz. I'm the daughter-in-law of Frank Schwartz, the man they are naming the pony after. On behalf of his entire family, we would be honored for you to include any information on Frank in your blog. We were so happy to hear what his friends were planning to do to honor him. It is an amazing tribute to a truly caring and well respected man. Thanks,
April and Tom Schwartz

And now it's on to Mare Stare as we breathlessly await the arrival of Heartland Magic's Frankie! The foal is due at any moment and Tammy has arranged for the birth to be live online so that we can all enjoy the momentous occasion. Here's how:

Log onto www.MareStare.com

Click on the link in the top left area that says "live cams".

Scroll a bit until you see "Heartland Magic" and that click will take you to Tammy's live cam.

Come celebrate the birth of Heartland Magic's Frankie with us and pay tribute to a wonderful man named Frank. See you there!

P.S. We'll post photos of Frankie as soon as they come in so hurry back!

Meet Frank and his grandson Gavin

Posies for Ponies, Michigan Gets Ready for Spring!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 06:36:00 +0000

Mary Krajewski is getting Michigan ready for spring with "Posies for Ponies" and some advance bunny sightings! Mary has been enjoying some wonderful children from the inner cities. Since the kids are unable to have pets where they live, they love visiting Mary and this time they got to help with the Posies for Ponies fundraiser. Jaylin (pictured with Goldie) had her very own mantra for the day ...... "Posies, Ponies and Bunnies"! Mary stated that they had a total blast working their little bunny ears off with lots of pony hugs going on! A whopping 55% goes to benefit PPL! If you'd like some Posies of your very own, here is a link for you to order. Don't forget to include the organization code 32510 and PERSONAL PONIES in the comments line of the checkout form, so they know to give the correct credit for the order.
http://www.touchofnature.com/fundraising/SPRING_d_online.htm

Mary has also been very busy with visits to the Children's Hospital, her companion ..... little Irish. AAAHHH yes! Spring is just around the corner and snow is still on the ground, yet the ponies are off and running. Happy Spring everyone and Thank you Mary!

Zero to Pulse in 2.5 Auctions .........

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 07:58:00 +0000

A lot has happened since last post. As anyone from our PPL family knows we have been making an attempt on eBay for both a promotional tool and as a fundraiser yet not in the traditional manner. Since we make magic and fun in children's lives, it seemed the best way to become known on eBay as well, so we went after the fun. The initial attempts were successful for promotion and we hope that our current auction will be successful for fundraising.

The debut for our first auction was just before Christmas and can still be seen on eBay. Item number 5648020113 I was told it made it to the Pulse but since I don't have that documented I can't be positive. We had over 1700 hits and 60 plus watchers.

Our second was for Valentine's day and can still be seen on eBay as well. Item number 5656406677 1100 hits and 65 watchers.

We've even had a few knockoff auctions and several personal Ponies Ltd. mentions in other people's auctions since then. Our network is growing! Trust me when I say that this is a compliment.

The 3rd auction, referred to in the above title, didn't OFFICIALLY begin as a PPL promo, it began more as a joke than anything. Imagine my shock when it hit Pulse halfway through. It began out of my frustration at the measuring method for arriving at Pulse (the area where the most often watched auctions are listed) and the fact that a huge majority of people would rather see "get rich quick" schemes than an adorable child with their pony. So ok yes! .... We sold a "clue". Item # 5668858782

This brings us to now and maybe selling a CLUE worked because we currently have 2 auctions running. One is for Promo and one is for Fundraising and they are BOTH on Pulse!

The Promo auction is item # 5671958550 (560 hits and 43 watchers 2 days left to bid and watch) .... In honor of our new corporate sponsor, The Thorp Institute. http://www.thorpinstitute.com

And our fundraising auction is item #5673977506 (525 hits and 41 watchers 8 days left to bid and watch).

You'll notice that the "hit to watch" ratio has improved greatly, which is a GOOD thing (we've been working hard at it). Please help with just a few mouse clicks on eBay? That's right ...... the more "watchers" we have, the higher in the ranking we move and the more exposure PPL gets. Hits don't count for the rankings. Although we love that you visited and please leave us an email when you're there. We'd love to hear from you and know that you enjoyed the visit. But what helps us the most is when you put our current auction on "watch". That in turn moves up our chances of higher bids on our fundraising items. Isn't it a fun world where just a few clicks of your mouse can do so much! Thanks so much and thank you for visiting.

PPL @ Easter Seals Florida

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 19:28:00 +0000

Yesterday was an amazing day! On the way to EASTER SEALS of Florida, we sat for over an hour in traffic! I almost called to cancel! A train had hit a car and they were backed up for miles and miles with the road shut downs etc.! I'm soooooooo glad I was patient, as this particular pony trip was so very wonderful! 80 differently abled children! Each so special I could take them home in my pocket! Below are just a few photos to show you just what I mean!!! What can I say... I LOVE WHAT WE DO!!!
xoxox Sandra xoxox

At any angle, Cookie Face loves children!!

You don't need perfect vision to see LOVE!!!

Wish I was small enough to hop on Sugar too!
A million words in THAT smile!!!

Everyone had a special job to do!

I couldn't resist holding EVERY child!

Happy Valentine's Month!

noreply@blogger.com (empirical1) — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 08:59:00 +0000

Happy Valentine's month from PPL to everyone! A picture is worth a thousand words and these are courtesy of Sandra Seiden from Florida ........ Thank you Sandra!

I love (pun intended as well as unavoidable) that our first PPL blog entry is about a Valentine!