Feature Story & Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Michael’s Foundation has been established to support veterans and their families by restoring life of purpose, encouraging empowerment while promoting health and well-being through Farm Fun Day programs and beneficial support services. Michael’s Foundation is a local non-profit program where horses help empower military veteran heroes, their families and our community through calming interaction. Founded by President Kriss Titus and supported by Board Chairman Mark Miller, they provide free veteran benefit guidance and experience-based support services made possible by a partnership with Alan Alford’s “Fighting for Our Heroes Foundation”.
On Easter Saturday, Michael’s Foundation shared an Easter Egg Hunt, egg decorating, arts and crafts, Easter pinata and egg in spoon races, plus children’s pony rides and horse petting opportunities with a free lunch, gifts and prizes.
Founder Kriss Tituss shares, “My family and I are so grateful for the fabulous turnout Michael’s Foundation had at our Egg-citing Easter Event for veterans and their families. A large part of our mission is to foster our Veterans community. What better way to accomplish this than to have events where veterans and their families can enjoy a day at the 78-acre Clermont Al-Marah Arabian Horse Farm to celebrate each season with family and friends. We sometimes forget that many of our veterans missed family holidays, gathering and special lifetime moments when they were deployed. We believe that it is wonderfully heart lifting to be able to provide these events at no costs for veterans, so they might recapture the family moments they missed out on when they were separated from their families.”
Titus adds, “Each time I am able to witness a veteran or their family member supported through Michael’s Foundation’s programs and events, I take a proud pause through my tears of joy. I realize that what our team is accomplishing is exactly what our son Sargent Michael Titus dreamed of accomplishing in his life. We are so honored to continue his hope and dreams to help other veterans and their families to thrive and just not survive their post military service or active deployment.”
On April 23, starting at 9 AM, we will have a new Horsemanship Event that will be free for veterans: In this fun and interactive program, veterans will learn key components of horsemanship and how to apply the attributes in their own lives. While being taught horsemanship foundations, management and movement, veteran members will have fun in activities like leading a horse through obstacle courses. Also on April 23 after Horsemanship, they will host a ‘Conquer the Hill’ event starting at 11 AM which again will be free for Veterans with their families and friends. This will be an interactive partner workout led by veteran Chris Allison who is also Founder and owner of Release Point Performance in Kissimmee, FL. Allison will lead this free workshop where participants will be involved in various physical exercises with one goal in mind: To conquer the biggest hill here on the farm!
On April 30th, they will host ‘Chat & Chill’ as a pre-Mother’s Day Celebration from 11 AM to 2 PM. Kriss Titus adds, “Take your mom or mother-figure to lunch at the Al Marah Arabian Horse Farm. Veterans are invited to bring your mom, wife, significant other and family members to relax while enjoying complimentary pony rides and games for the kids with a complimentary lunch from Chicken Waffle Grill! A professional photographer will be on staff to take family photos with one of our horses. More events are scheduled each month, especially for veteran and seasonal holidays. Watch for Father’s Day and Memorial Day event announcements. Veterans and their families are asked to RSVP and register on their website https://michaels-foundation.org/events/ for each free event.
Kriss Titus shares the inspiring Michael’s Foundation story. After proudly serving his country and suffering from PTSD, her son Michael sadly took his own life, which devastated their entire family. While this foundation was launched to honor her son, Kriss Titus noted, “The sad news is that Michael is not here with us. The good news is that we are all here to fulfill his dreams and desires to help all veterans!” Some of the best highlights of each event are for the visiting veterans and their families to share calming time petting and snuggling with the intuitive horses while taking memorable photos.
Horse Wellness workshops are led by certified professionals promoting health and wellness. They facilitate a complete series of Wellness Programs with cross-fit inspired and functional fitness sessions including yoga classes and therapy sessions. They have beneficial drum circles, sound healing, women’s circles and certified equine based workshops.
Get Involved! Call 407-917-3150. Visit www.Michaels-Foundation.org and follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/michaelsfoundationflorida. All events will be held on Al-Marah Arabian’s Horse Farm at 11105 Autumn Lane, Clermont, FL 34711. Events are free for veterans and their families while donations are gratefully accepted.
