Spin Your Wheels fundraiser marks milestone supporting McCandless charity

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Organizers of a fitness-themed fundraiser in Fox Chapel celebrated a milestone supporting Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania.

The McCandless-based nonprofit is a therapeutic horseback riding program that has helped children and young adults with disabilities for decades.

It is staffed entirely by volunteers and funded exclusively by donations, fundraising and grants.

For the past 10 years, the program has counted on supporters Jennifer Evashavik of Aspinwall and Katherine Hook of Indiana Township.

The pair are co-organizers of the annual Spin Your Wheels event. It draws about 200 people and raises between $16,000 to $20,000 each year.

They marked a decade of bringing fitness enthusiasts together on April 26 at the Lauri Ann West Community Center along Powers Run Road.

“It’s very heartwarming to see how many people come and support a great cause,” Evashavik said. “It helps so many people and (participants) move their bodies and get healthy themselves, which is a bonus. The bottom line is we’re helping a charity. It makes me happy.”

Things kicked off with its trademark morning spin class. Center instructors also led a circuit workout boot camp, Pilates, yoga, zumba, supported yoga and Essentrics.

Chair massages, nutritional consultations, hair braiding and tarot card readings were among the wellness offerings.

Many local organizations donated to the nearly 40 gift basket raffle.

Hook said being a part of Spin Your Wheels has only made the bond with Evashavik stronger.

They have been friends since 1990, meeting at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.

“We’re like sisters,” Hook said. “We support each other with every single thing that needs to be done with our families, our extended families, our children. I know I can count on her 100% of the time for anything I need. We’re both there for one another.

“(Organizing the event) is such a huge undertaking and it causes a great deal of stress. Although she loves it and likes doing this and she’s such a social person, it’s a lot.”

History of spinning

Spin Your Wheels started in 2015 with a dozen or so stationary bikes and a dream at the former Axle Fitness facility in Indiana Township. The gym would change a few years later to Tribe 412, but the spinning remained consistent.

The event built on its momentum every year before being moved to Aspinwall Riverfront Park in 2019.

The recreation site expanded and was rebranded Aspinwall RiverTrail Park in 2021.

The pandemic caused the fundraiser to go virtual with Zoom Your Wheels in April 2020.

Organizers also hosted a hybrid event with virtual and limited in-person classes at Cycle 412 in September 2020 and January 2021.

Participants returned to their regularly spinning program at the Aspinwall park in 2022 and 2023.

Spin Your Wheels moved to the Lauri Ann West Community Center and garnered one of its largest crowds last year.

Evashavik said she is very grateful for all the support and collaboration with various businesses and volunteers to make everything possible. She hopes to pass the torch to another group of organizers next year.

“It’s special because it’s 10,” Evashavik said. “It just seems like a big year. We had a lot of new people come, which was nice. Changing the venue (to the center) was nice because we reached a whole new population of people. I’m hoping to be able to continue it in some way.”

Anniversary participants

Anita Wienand of Sharpsburg worked out with her daughters, Emma, 19, of Sharpsburg and Vanessa Kelly of Allison Park. They did yoga and took part in some of the wellness activities. Kelly also took spinning.

“I like supporting the event and it’s kind of like a family reunion for me to come back and see all my friends,” said Kelly, 33. “I enjoy the workouts and the instructors. I took part in all of it. I got a henna tattoo. I did the raffle baskets. I got a massage. I got worked on by the chiropractor. I got wine. I got food. I take in the full experience. I’ve met a lot of people through coming here. They do a great job at having classes that are accessible for everybody.”

Kelly said it is also important for her to support the charity because she has a cousin with cerebral palsy.

This was the fourth Spin Your Wheels for Anita Wienand. She said the best part of the event was being with her family.

“Supporting a good cause and just hanging out with everybody,” said Wienand, 57. “We have a good time. We don’t have to be completely serious in our yoga class. We laugh a little bit and have some fun. I’m very limited with my exercise, so yoga is good for me.”

Family inspiration

Evashavik has a very personal connection to the riding program.

Her son, Luke, 22, has taken part in it for more than a decade. He is nonverbal, autistic and has cerebral palsy.

Evashavik said they go riding every Thursday, May through October.

“It’s helped him physically because it works on core balance and strength to get on a horse,” Evashavik said. “It also helps him mentally. There’s a calm that kind of comes over him when he gets on a horse. I can’t explain it. It’s kind of weird but amazing. It’s also great for him socially because he gets to get out and be around other people and people who understand him and are like him.”

Impacting riders

Spin Your Wheels has raised nearly $200,000 over the past decade.

That has led to purchases of various equipment, covered numerous veterinarian bills and other maintenance expenses.

Riding program director T.M. “Toots” Abbott said this year’s Spin Your Wheels funds with go toward two small therapeutic saddles and spring medical expenses.

Other Spin Your Wheels support was used to acquire a shed that is used as an office, shredded yoga mats for arena footing, horse feed and tractor equipment.

Abbott said it is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for the program, next to a golf outing and a “Witches’ tea,” a costume-themed event for adults to mingle and enjoy beverages.

About 75 riders participate each season at Parkview Stables. They get one ride a week and it usually takes about 45 minutes.

Abbott said benefits differ depending on the rider’s disability.

“For children with physical challenges, the horse mimics the act of walking,” the director said. “For the kids with autism, the kids are calm on the horse. It’s sensory. They can touch and feel the horse. Sometimes autistic kids don’t want to touch anything.”

The experience also serves as a special bonding time for the riders and their parents.

“It’s something they can do that their brothers and sisters can’t,” Abbott said. “It’s their activity. The parents have to bring them to their lesson like other kids that go to soccer or basketball. It makes them feel included.”

There is a waiting list for the program. Volunteer opportunities are available. More information is available at rhwpa.org.

Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.