Pasadena-based Move A Child Higher, Inc. (MACH 1) — a nonprofit striking because it uses horses to help people with disabilities heal — has received a donation from another nonprofit formed to serve the welfare of animals in memory of actor-singer David Cassidy.
Without mentioning the amount, Matt Hourihan, Board Secretary at MACH 1 told Pasadena Now the donation will help feed MACH 1’s six horses for about two months.
“The ‘I Think I love You Animal Foundation’ chose MACH 1 because some of our horses were well taken care of in their retirement years. The pandemic has slowed down donations to MACH 1 and the Foundation’s donation is so appreciated. These horses have to be fed and cared for and inflation has made it difficult to keep up financially,” Hourihan said.
Cassidy’s friends, breeder and vet Dr. Jerry Bilinski and horse trainer Gary Contessa along with their wives Darlene Bilinski and Jennifer Contessa, founded the I Think I Love You Animal Foundation after Cassidy’s passing, to honor his passion to help animals, especially horses.
“David was all about horses and all about animals. That’s probably the side of David that most everyday people who are fans of his didn’t know, he loved animals. And more than anything, he loved horses.”
“So we find horses that are in need and we sponsor them and we take care of their retirement,” Co-Founder of I Think I Love You Foundation, Gary Contessa said.
Contessa said the I Think I Love You Animal Foundation chose to support MACH 1 because it uses horses to help people in need.
“In David’s memory, we are supporting MACH 1. And if David was still here with us today, he would be a person that would absolutely step up to the bat and support a beautiful organization like that.”
“MACH 1 does such a beautiful job helping people that are in need, and we’re proud to be a part of the people that are helping MACH 1,” Contessa said.
To realize its vision that all animals will be treated with love, compassion and kindness and receive the care they need, the I Think I Love You Animal foundation raises funds in various ways to support animals in need of sanctuary or medical attention, especially retired thoroughbred racehorses that require rescue from emergent situations, according to Contessa.
“As a longtime Partridge Family fan, I am asking all other Partridge Family fans to donate to MACH 1, a local nonprofit that helps humanity and horses. A combination that David Cassidy would have been proud to be associated with here in Pasadena,” Hourihan added.
David Cassidy, shot to fame in the 1970s American musical sitcom “The Partridge Family.” The song “I Think I Love you” was his biggest hit. It was No. 1 on the billboard charts for weeks back in 1970.
MACH 1, located in the Equestrian Center in the Hahamongna Watershed Park, offers services that incorporate therapeutic horsemanship, equine-assisted learning, and equine-assisted therapy for students with disabilities.
For more information on how to volunteer or donate at MACH 1, visit: https://moveachildhigher.org/
To know more about I Think I Love You Animal Foundation, visit: https://www.ithinkiloveyou.org/org
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One thought on “Pasadena Nonprofit Receives Donation in Memory of ‘Partridge Family’ Star David Cassidy”
Adavid. Who’s pseudonym was “Jackson Snipe, was a gentle soul.
I know this would mean a lot to him.