To the Editor:

On Sunday, May 3rd, Pony Rides for a Purpose was held to raise money for The Jessica Rekos Foundation at The Second Company Governor's Horse Guard here in Newtown.  It was yet another amazing day held in our daughter's memory.  We would like to thank Montana Calloway and her mother, Heidi Calloway, for organizing the entire event. Montana was Jessica's horseback riding instructor and Jessica looked up to her from the very first day she started lessons.  Back in the fall of 2011, we had no idea that Montana would one day be putting so much effort, time, and LOVE into an event to celebrate Jessica.  We are so appreciative to her and her mother.  We are also grateful to the team at King's Bridge Farm in Newtown, including the owners, Kat and Bryan King.  That was where Jessica fell in love with riding, and where she took her horseback riding lessons every Sunday morning.

There were many groups that came to support our daughter, and came to provide a day of family entertainment.  We would like to thank Major Johnson and 2LT Ken Fay from The Second Company Governor's Horse Guard, as well as Capt. James Marrinan, 2LT Phillip Karnoff, SGT Rosa, SGT Burke, PFC Fay, PFC Burton, 1LT McCrewell and for all of their volunteers who spent countless hours planning, setting up, and cleaning. 

Thank you to Jim Knox from The Beardsley Zoo for bringing his exotic animals, and Linda Peterson for bringing her mini horses.  Thank you to Jeremy Heyel and his puppet Pvt Poncho, the LCC Comfort Dogs (Maggie, Addie, Lydia, and Lily) and their handlers from Newtown, Danbury, Boston, and New Jersey. 

Thank you to the band Set to Stun, for their great sound and for keeping people singing and dancing!  And thank you to Newtown Jugglers and Circus Arts who stayed after the front gates closed, just to keep letting the kids play!

Finally, thank you to Newtown Hook and Ladder for bringing their fire truck for the kids to explore, and the Newtown Police Explorers for their help coordinating parking and people. 

There are so many more people we are grateful for – all of the people who donated items for the auction and silent raffle, the bakers, the hardworking team cooking lunch at the grill, the face painters, hair braiders, craft volunteers, and donors.  We are so appreciative of the dozens of people who worked behind the scenes to ensure a successful event, including our friends and neighbors who sacrificed their weekends to work on planning this event.  We are so grateful that we have a team of loving people who are dedicated to keeping Jessica's passion alive.  Thank you.

Rich and Krista Rekos

5 Sweetbriar Lane, Sandy Hook     May 12, 2015