Bok Burkman’s Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the unique gifts and talents You have placed within each person here. The creativity, the wisdom, the strength, and the dedication that flow through this group gives us an unparalleled ability to carry out our mission of helping kids. We are truly grateful.
May we continue to honor You by using our abilities to support one another, to serve our community, and to build something greater in Optimism. Bless our efforts to help children and bind us in unity as we work for that common goal.
Amen
Announcements
Upcoming Offsite Picnic – August 12
Debe Dockins reminded everyone that the Tuesday lunch meeting on August 12, 2025, will be held offsite at Yankee Park. More details will be shared as the date approaches.
Volunteers Needed for TOP Soccer – August 17
Bob Glavin announced that TOP Soccer will start Sunday, August 17. They need four volunteers to help with registration and several more to assist with coaching. Coaching experience isn’t required—just a willingness to help. Practices are held Sunday and Wednesday evenings for about an hour. New volunteers for assistant coaches are paired with experienced head coaches to make it easy for newcomers to participate. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Flag Repairs Needed
Tom Novak is looking for volunteers with sewing skills to help repair damaged flags used in the Avenue of Flags program. Anyone with basic sewing ability is encouraged to help. Contact Tom Novak if you would like to help.
Kids Day in the Park – August 2
Paul Boeckman on behalf of Bob Lawson recently announced that Kids Day in the Park will take place on Saturday, August 2. He needs several volunteers to cover the two shifts. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Board-Approved Grants – July 21, 2025
President Paul Boeckman shared that the board approved $4,710 in donations at its monthly meeting:
- $2,000 to Epiphany Clothing Pantry for winter coats for children
- $1,000 to We Care Arts for their children’s programs
- $750 to the CHS Girls Volleyball Team to support peer-led training
- $200 to an Eagle Scout project organizing a 5K race, benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Dayton – Cure Quest
- $400 to the Washington Township Cruise-In, a free community event, held each year with free burgers, hot dogs, ice cream and car show and entertainment held by Washington Township.
- $360 to Kids of Hope for hygiene kits for youth
The Bell and Gavel Saga: Boeckman vs. Boeckman
President Paul Boeckman gleefully paid $2 in Happy Bucks—proudly declaring he had successfully protected the sacred bell and gavel for the entire meeting. This time, he didn’t tempt fate. Instead, he stashed them in a hidden compartment deep inside the podium, allegedly behind a retinal scanner and three-factor authentication.
The plan nearly backfired. Word is Paul struggled to remember the code and came dangerously close to becoming the first CNO President to report himself for bell theft. That would’ve triggered an existential crisis in the Sergeant-at-Arms department.
In a meeting free from rogue heists, Paul declared victory. But as every seasoned Optimist knows, artifact peace is fleeting.
The bell survived. The gavel endured. But the saga? Far from over.
Therapeutic Riding Institute, Stephanie Llacuna
Bob Burkman introduced Stephanie Llacuna, praising her energy, creativity, and leadership. Stephanie has been the Executive Director of the Therapeutic Riding Institute (TRI) since 2022, where her leadership has led to a 130% increase in individuals served and a 64% increase in revenue. A graduate of Centerville High School and The Ohio State University, Stephanie is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and a lifelong “horse-girl.”
Before joining TRI, she spent nearly seven years securing over $7 million in philanthropic support for Dayton Children’s Hospital. Her previous experience also includes roles at Clothes That Work and Discover Classical.
In addition to her work at TRI, Stephanie is a professional harpist and teacher. She recently joined the Board of Trustees for Muse Machine, serves on the BBB Dayton Torch Award for Ethics planning committee, and graduated with the 50th class of Leadership Dayton in 2025. She is also a past-president of the AFP Greater Dayton Region Chapter and has held leadership roles with Toastmasters and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Stephanie joined CNO on March 7, 2023, and will serve on the Board of Directors starting this fall. She expressed her gratitude to the club not only for financial support but also for providing a warm and welcoming sense of community. She is the mother of two adult daughters and has a dog and a cat.
About TRI
TRI was founded in 1973 and is located on a 23.5-acre farm in Spring Valley. It is the only PATH International Premier Accredited Center in the region. (PATH stands for Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship.) This credential reflects TRI’s commitment to safety, professionalism, and therapeutic excellence. All instructors complete this rigorous training.
The organization serves children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges through equine-assisted services. Its core program is adaptive horseback riding, which accounts for about 60% of its activities. These goal-based lessons are tailored to each participant.
The minimum age to participate is 5 and there is no age limit. They currently have a student who is 81 years old.
TRI Mission
To enhance lives by providing high quality and accredited equine-assisted services in a safe, fun, and compassionate environment.
TRI Vision
To be the premier provider of accredited equine-assisted services
TRI’s Team and Facilities
Stephanie highlighted the dedicated team and specialized setup that make TRI’s work possible.
TRI’s team includes:
- 6 administrative staff
- 11 certified riding instructors
- 2 licensed mental health professionals
- 275+ active volunteers (all background-checked)
- 13 trained horses, including two miniatures: Stewart Little and Banner
Lessons are staffed with up to three volunteers per rider, and horses are carefully selected and trained to accommodate sensory sensitivities, mobility aids, and unpredictable participant behavior.
Programs and Impact
TRI offers a wide variety of programs designed to meet the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of its participants:
- Adaptive Riding Lessons – Goal-based and tailored to individual challenges, these lessons build physical strength, balance, coordination, and communication. Many riders accomplish life-changing “firsts” at TRI—like making a friend or receiving a birthday party invitation.
- Equine-Assisted Counseling – Unmounted sessions for veterans, teens, and adults, co-led by a licensed counselor and equine specialist. Horses are highly intuitive and can sense emotions like stress or anxiety—even when someone tries to mask them. Stephanie shared a powerful story about a veteran participating in a weekly 8-week program in partnership with Joseph House in Cincinnati. As part of a ritual, veterans write down a burden or trauma, tear it up, and place it into a bucket of manure. One veteran was holding his bucket in quiet reflection when a horse approached, knocked it out of his hands, and then followed him—making him feel truly seen for the first time by another being. This moment underscored how deeply connected horses can become with those in emotional pain.
- E.A.G.L.E. Program (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Experience) – For at-risk youth, helping them build emotional regulation, resilience, and communication skills in a supportive, structured environment.
- Community Programs – TRI also offers summer camps, school field trips, adult enrichment programs, and wellness retreats. These programs are designed to be inclusive, engaging, and restorative.
Growth and Reach
TRI has seen significant growth in recent years:
Since 2022, TRI has experienced:
- 130% increase in total participants
- 49% increase in Equine-Assisted Learning
- 32% increase in counseling services
- 19% increase in therapeutic riding
Approximately 25% of participants are from the Centerville area.
Who TRI Serves
Stephanie shared that TRI serves individuals of all ages and abilities, with a wide range of diagnoses. The majority of participants come for the unique physical, emotional, and social benefits that equine-assisted programs provide.
Most commonly served diagnoses through adaptive riding include:
- Autism – 33%
- ADHD – 18%
- Anxiety – 15%
- Developmental Delays – 12%
- Down Syndrome – 7%
- Cerebral Palsy – 7%
- Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) – 4%
- Depression – 4%
Other diagnoses TRI supports include:
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Rett Syndrome
- Spina Bifida
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Hearing Impairment
- Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
These conditions are often accompanied by challenges in communication, motor control, or social interaction. Stephanie emphasized that the relationship between rider and horse can lead to meaningful breakthroughs in all of these areas.
Support and Gratitude
Stephanie expressed her gratitude to CNO for long-term support. A $5,000 grant in 2023 helped TRI design and wrap a branded truck used for transporting horses and raising awareness about the organization. Since 2012, CNO has donated nearly $10,000, which has funded more than 220 adaptive riding lessons.
Challenges and Opportunities to Help
While TRI has seen impressive growth, it still faces several challenges:
- No federal funding or insurance reimbursement
- Limited facility space and staffing
- A growing waiting list for mental health programs
Stephanie said you can support TRI by:
- Attending the Stetsons and Sterling fundraiser on September 6, 2025
- Donating silent auction items
- Volunteering
- Sponsoring a horse
- Spreading awareness through social media
She closed by thanking the club again, noting that CNO’s support is truly changing lives for children and families in the community.
Slides
Stephanie’s slide deck has more information than is listed in this article.
Thank You
Thank you, Stephanie Llacuna, for sharing the inspiring mission and growth of the Therapeutic Riding Institute and for showing how our support helps transform lives through the healing power of horses.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’.” – Audrey Hepburn
New Member Readings and Inductions
Geoff Darr, Second Reading, sponsored by Tom Novak
Happy Bucks
No time for Happy Bucks this week except for Paul Boeckman’s above.
Sergeants at Arms Fines – Gary Anderson and Don Massie
- Bob Duffy and others sat at the birthday table even though it wasn’t their birthday month.
- Sue Brubaker didn’t sit at the birthday table despite having a July birthday.
- Craig Dring received a fine for a birthday-table-related mix-up.
- Harry Bossey tried to convince the sergeants that Paul Boeckman should be fined because Harry was left out of a recent article in Optimist International Magazine.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Catie Derenzo | Honoree’s Family |
| Ellery Derenzo | Honoree |
| Geoff Darr | Tom Novak |
| Heidi Long | Gary Anderson |
| Randy Derenzo | Honoree’s Family |
| Steve Long | Gary Anderson |
| Mark Sharp | Cindy Gaboury |
| Jen Pauly | Cindy Gaboury |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Kara Ware | July 24, 2024 | 1 |
| Zachary Winning | July 24, 2024 | 1 |
| John Sherman | July 24, 2009 | 16 |
| Michelle Collier | July 24, 2024 | 1 |
| David Brookman | July 27, 2011 | 14 |
| Jim Long | July 27, 2015 | 10 |
| Donna Robinson | July 28, 1997 | 28 |
Birthdays
| Cindy Lowndes | July 23 |
| Steve Rau | July 23 |
| Mike Yoder | July 24 |
| Rebekah Buck | July 26 |
| Katie Calloway | July 27 |
| Jerry Stahley | July 27 |
| Sandy Stevens | July 28 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received this Week
No Thank You Notes received this week.
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slides from this week’s meeting