HelensHugs.org Current News & Events

Helen’s Hugs is dedicated to carrying on a legacy of compassion in memory of Helen Corontzes. Our goal is to bring children with special needs to therapeutic horseback riding. To all of you who have donated to our new purpose, a huge hug and many thanks. Your generosity is deeply appreciated. Some among you are creating innovative fund-raising efforts as a reflection of Helen’s love for horses and people. These interesting ideas did not go unnoticed by us and so let us share with you what Helen has inspired.

GOOBER'S CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT for UMDF & HELEN'S HUGS August 21th, 2008 Boscobel Golf Course What a gorgeous day for such a good cause! The Corontzes Family would like to thank Goober (Danny Nichols), Alex, Mike and Angie Newton for including Helen's Hugs this year. We look forward to working together for many years to come. Please see photo gallery
Spittoono 2008 August 21st-23rd, 2008 Clemson Amory Held at the National Guard Armory in Clemson. Organizer Jeremiah Hurley & secretary Lindsay (King) Hurley chose Helen's Hugs as one of the charities receiving donations from this year's event! As you may know, Spittoono has grown into one of the area's best festivals. We're honored and excited to be recognized at this local event. Thank you all very much!!!
HELEN’S HUGS HANGOUT October, 7, 2007 Tiger Park Please see photo gallery. This beautiful Sunday afternoon event was put on completely by Helen’s friends and raised a whopping amount for Helen’s Hugs to fund therapeutic riding for children. SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO THE ORGANIZERS AND GREAT FRIENDS OF HELEN’S: Lindsay Benvenuto Jordan Haller Julie Lane Six great bands played on two stages beginning at 2 p.m. and extending into the evening. THANKS TO THESE MUSICIANS AND THEIR BANDS: Matt Bolt Undecided Swift Robinson Brad Crowe Pucsatonie Phil Allee Street THANKS FOR THE FOOD, SUPPLIES, AND PRIZES DONATED BY:
Bi-Lo Ingles Kingfisher Maps, Inc. Tiger Town Graphics Pixie & Bill's The Brackett Family	Papa John's Southern Homes Cole Law Firm MH Frank Wingin' it	Jean Riggins Wendy's Todaro's Calhoun Corners 356	Esso Club Mr. Mulch Tiger Park Feet First Moe's
AND ALL OF THIS GENOROSITY BROUGHT TOGETHER BY A TEAM OF INCREDIBLE FRIENDS AND VOLUNTEERS:
Louis Kines Katherine Brackett Fleming Stevenson Steven Thompson Zach Corontzes	Jennifer Powell Caitlyn Madden Craig Lyons Christine Corontzes David Dixon	Spencer Smith John Richardson Megan Madden Courtney Porter	Amy Moody Ben McGill Dave Bolton Laura Staples
and I'm sure others. Please excuse any oversights! Here's what some in attendance had to say: Lindsey Benvenuto: "Helens Hugs Hangout is a day for remembrance and celebration. The idea for calling this day a "hangout" is based on the lifestyle of Helen. She loved tosimply hangout with all her friends, especiallyat the beach, at someone’s house, downtown, her patio, where ever. Being around as many of her loved ones aspossible made her happy. So now, this hangout is a day that we can all come together for Helen and also all the children that she touches through therapeutic riding. It's a beautiful sight actually being at the hangout and seeing all Helen's family and friends reuniting for the same purpose. And it's truly amazing walking through the crowd, listening to the bands, and seeing the kids playing together while knowing that Helen is watching over us and realizing what she will always mean to this community. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her and long for her company, especially those long phone conversations about life. She is still one of the greatest friends I have ever known. But knowing that we are contributing to her legacy, brings great satisfaction. I only hope that each year, the hangout can grow bigger and better to raise enough money to help all the children that need a HUG in their life! Jack Leggett, Clemson Head Baseball Coach: "It was great day to spend with many of Helen’s friends and be able to step back for a moment again and reflect back on just how great a person Helen was and how she touched so many of us. Her spirit and her smile are always there for all of us to remember. It was great to see how all of her friends continue to remember her and respect her for what she was all about. I remember her always with a smile, and a kind word, and a desire to pass something along to others to help them. Everyone’s goal should be to leave the world a better place and Helen is one who continues to do for others. It is that giving spirit that makes her so special. It truly was a special day. The weather, fellowship, and that feeling that Helen was still making her mark on all of us made the day a great one. Helen’s Hugs will continue to benefit others and help us remember what a giving person she was." Emily Gooding: "When we arrived at the event for Helen’s Hugs, we didn’t know what to expect. We found food, music, and many friends to visit. When we realized it had been totally organized by the young folks who were Helen’s friends, we were completely impressed. Their dedication to this event is a true testament to how much Helen, and the entire Corontzes family, have influenced their lives." Jesse Hudak: "The second annual Helen's Hugs fund raiser was absolutely wonderful. No one could have asked for a better day, or for a better organized get-together. It was so great to see all the support and love for such a wonderful person who we will always remember. This was such a perfect day that we can't wait for next years." Jesse, Jacqui, & AnnMarie Helen Hudak Andrea C. Bryan: "Though it may not have been the best weekend for football, it was a perfect weekend for hanging out! Helen’s positive spirit was felt all over Tiger Park Sunday, Oct 7, as blue skies and a bright sun shone down on great food, fun games, and jammin’ bands. There were smiles and hugs galore as family and old friends got together “just to hang out”……..Helen’s favorite thing! Marilyn Madden: Helen's Hugs Hangout was, in a word, SPECIAL...friends, music, family, fun, food, and all from the heart of the Pixie/Calhoun family as a memorial tribute to sweet, sweet Helen. Giving my time and money to Helen's Hugs not only keeps Helen alive inside of me, but it also creates an emotional high when I look at the pictures of the children who are benefiting from their new relationship with their horse at Eden Farms. XOXOX Keton W. Goode: "The Hangout is an opportunity to reflect. Helen is sorely missed by many, but it is occasions like the Hangout that remind us just how much she meant to us all. We can see how Helen has and will positively affect people she has never met through the Helen's Hugs Organization." Cindy, Rich and the Hudak family Enjoyed so many people from the community together in one spot to celebrate and remember Helen . The bands, laughter, and togetherness were the very things that Helen would have wanted from her family and friends to help a wonderful cause ----through Helen's Hugs!
THE 3^RD ANNUAL GOLDSTEIN FITNESS & SPORTS TRAINING CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT November 7, 2007 Brookstone Meadows Please see photo gallery. Honestly, this event could not have been better. The weather was a perfect 70 degrees for starters. The BBQ lunch provided by U.S. Foodservice and its most excellent people hit the spot for many competitive and hungry golfers. Thanks goes to Helen’s cousin Zach for all his help with the catering! Many of Helen’s friends and family members contributed in making this a very special event. We hope it goes on for many years! That being said, none of this could have happened without the combined efforts of Paul Goldstein, organizer and owner of Goldstein Fitness & Sports Training, Mike Gillespie, head baseball coach for Southern Wesleyan University, Brian Swords, assistant coach, and the willing and able members of this fine baseball program. First place went to the team from Sardi’s Den closely contested by last year’s winning team from Ballentine Equipment and Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill. KEEP YOUR NOTES PAUL, EVERYONE’S EXCITED ABOUT NEXT YEAR!!
FIRST ANNUAL “WILL RUN FOR HUGS” November 11, 2007 Clemson, SC Please see photo gallery. "The 1st annual Run/Walk for Helen's Hugs was a huge success! It was inspiring to see friends and family members of Helen's all joining together for a great cause. Helen must surely be beaming with pride, knowing that special needs children will be able to participate in therapeutic riding as a result of these fund-raising efforts. Miracles are happening in the lives of these children due to the efforts of so many people who loved her and seek to honor her memory by showing they care." Lynne King What a beautiful and successful fall day we all enjoyed. A huge thanks goes to Chief Jimmy Dixon and City of Clemson Police Department for the much needed escort through downtown Clemson, the CU campus, past Death Valley and finishing at the Catherine J. Smith Park---all some of Helen’s favorite places. Cold beverages and light fare was enjoyed by all immediately following the run. What a perfect close to a fabulous football weekend—HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT YEAR FOR THIS EVENT!!

Want to pitch in?

If you have a fund raiser in mind just give us a call (see the Contact Us page of this website) and we can discuss details and get the news on our website.

Camp Greystone, December 15th, 2007 A Dressage Show featuring Helen's Horse, Tonka, at Camp Greystone in Tuxedo, NC. Led by the wonderfully talented Equestrian Director, Justine Tibbles. All proceeds are donated to Helen's Hugs.

Reflections from the First Year
As we continue to remember our loss of Helen Corontzes, we wish to share with you the extent of her gracious legacy, Helen’s Hugs.

Generous efforts and private donations from hundreds of you have established a legacy approaching $100,000.00 for therapeutic equestrian scholarships. A gentle and special horse is matched to a child who spends serveral weeks with a trained riding therapist. We call that scholarship a Hug.

So far, almost 100 children with special needs have received a Hug from the Helen’s Hugs Board of Directors and your generosity. Many of these children have been approved to return for future session.

Four programs directly serving special children have partnered with Helen’s Hugs. Happy Hooves of Eden Farms, Medically Fragile Children of Palmetto Health Baptist Easley Hospital, Rebound Alternative Program of the School District of Pickens County, and Building Dreams of The Institute on Neighborhood & Family Life at Clemson University.

Finally, we want to share with you the words from one of our Hug’s kids. Devon is a 14-year-old girl who came to us through a phone call from her mother asking for our help. Her mother did not, however, realize that the true generosity would be found in her daughter’s heartfelt words about her experiences with Helen’s Hugs. Of her horse, Devon said, “I have been in a wheelchair for the past two and a half years, and have always felt so small, but when I’m on Mary she makes me feel like I’m ten feet tall.” Devon’s is just one of many awesome experiences we have had and continue to have through Helen’s Hugs.