August, 2009

Commissioners agreed to accept a $1 million state grant on behalf of Leg Up Farm, Inc., a physical- and occupational-therapy center in East Manchester Township for children with disabilities.

Lou Castriota Jr., president and CEO of Leg Up Farm, said it will offer comprehensive therapy for children, including a therapeutic riding center. He and others behind the effort have been working to make it happen since 1997, Castriota said.

Last year, the farm received a combined $5.6 million in loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and York Traditions Bank to construct the 16,500-square-foot main therapy building.

The $1 million will fund an indoor riding arena and stables, Castriota said.

"The goals we had as an organization will now, I guess, be fully realized," Castriota said.

Leg Up Farm will have an official groundbreaking at 11 a.m. Sept. 10. You can RSVP by calling info @ legupfarm.org. For more information, see www.legupfarm.org.

By TOM JOYCE, Daily Record/Sunday News

A $1 million state grant will help an area nonprofit expand its mission to help young people dealing with developmental disorders and disabilities.

Leg Up Farm, a planned 110,000-square foot facility in East Manchester Township, recently secured the money through Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program (RACP).

The grant, which comes in addition to $5.6 million in long-term loans from USDA Rural Development and York Traditions Bank, allows Leg Up to build an indoor riding arena and horse barn to complement its main therapeutic facility.

"I'm speechless," said owner Lou Castriota Jr., who had been planning the center for 12 years before breaking ground at the beginning of August. "The vision that we set out to achieve is coming to fruition completely, with all aspects of the program that we wanted to offer."

Services: Leg Up Farm will make rehabilitation, education and advocacy services available for children with developmental issues and their families. In addition to physical, occupational and speech therapy, the facility will offer horse-assisted activities and art and farming programs.

Autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and many other conditions will be treated. Leg Up officials believe they'll be able to serve more than 1,000 children in the facility's first three years of operation.

The first phase of the project calls for construction of the main 16,500-square-foot therapy building. Crews will build the arens and barn during the second phase.

Both phases are scheduled to finish in May 2010, Castriota said.

"All of the pieces of the puzzle have come together," he said. "I couldn't have asked for anything better."

Celebration

Leg Up Farm is holding a groundbreaking celebration at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at 4880 N. Sherman St. in East Manchester Township. Guests are asked to RSVP by e-mailing info@legupfarm.org or calling 266-9294.

Refreshments will be served at nearby Starview United Church of Christ.

By PETER MERGENTHALER, The York Dispatch