SouthEast Bank recently donated $20,000 in support of Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR) and its mission to provide therapeutic experiences using horse-related activities for persons with disabilities or other special challenges. Though all STAR participants receive subsidized tuition rates, this donation will provide further scholarships for more than a third of the families in need served by STAR.
“SouthEast Bank’s gift will enable 24 individuals to participate in lessons for 6 months without finances being an issue,” says Lynn Petr, Founder and Executive Director of STAR. “Students in both our Therapeutic Riding and Changing STRIDES classes will benefit from this generosity. We cherish our relationship with SouthEast Bank.”
The Therapeutic Riding program is personalized for participants who learn grooming, saddling, and riding skills up to their level of comfort. This form of movement can relax tight muscles, increase range of motion, as well as improve trunk stability and balance. Changing STRIDES is designed to teach relationship and community-building skills to at-risk youth, women in crisis, and those in rehabilitation. These classes involve interaction and establishing trust with horses, which is translated into a number of relevant life lessons.
SouthEast Bank’s scholarship fund is one of many donations made to STAR since it first kicked off renovations to its headquarters facilities in Lenoir City. SouthEast Bank then made a keystone donation of $100,000, which allowed STAR to make critical additions to the main arena space as well as other facility improvements. In the last two years, SouthEast Bank has also sponsored two of STAR’s annual fundraising events: Bridles & Blue Jeans and Songwriters in the Round.
“STAR has a fantastic mission and touches the lives of a wide range of individuals and families,” says SouthEast Bank CEO Bill Thompson. “Serving as Board Treasurer has given me even greater insight and respect for the unique impact this organization provides to its participants and the community.”
“Our relationship with STAR is part of our commitment to the wellbeing of families in our community,” adds Kirby Burton, SouthEast Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act Officer. “By expanding access to relevant educational and enrichment opportunities, we believe our communities will continue to grow and thrive.”
About STAR
Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR) works with children and adults aged four to 65+ with physical, mental, and neurological disabilities or those considered at-risk. We serve individuals from Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount, Campbell, Cocke, Knox, Loudon, Meigs, Monroe, McMinn, Roane, Sevier, and surrounding counties. The mission of STAR is to foster personal achievement by providing therapeutic experiences using horse-related activities for persons with disabilities or other special challenges. In 2023, STAR served 1,592 individuals through 6,924 hours of Equine Assisted Services. For more information, visit https://www.rideatstar.org/.
About SouthEast Bank
SouthEast Bank is a community bank headquartered in Farragut, Tennessee. With assets in excess of $2.6 billion, SouthEast Bank offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Middle and East Tennessee, including its specialty consumer loan division, ELFI, which specializes in educational loan programs. SouthEast Bank is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and communities. Local decision-making and community involvement have been the driving successes of SouthEast Bank since its inception. Member FDIC.
