Stacey Urdang (left) and Debbie Fox with their newly-adopted Carousel horse “Patriot” at the Paragon Carousel. These Hull friends are first to “adopt” a hand-carved carousel horse for the 2013 season. They chose the Lead Horse to sponsor with their lead gift of this new program. The shield on the horse reads “PTC” for its maker, the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, where the carousel was built in 1928.The Friends of the Paragon Carousel have launched a new fund raising program to support their ongoing restoration efforts of the antique merry-go-round: Adopt a Carousel Horse for the Season.
To officially kick-off the program, the public is invited to a reception at the organization’s new Paragon Park Museum located inside the historic Clock Tower building next to the carousel, on Saturday, December 15, from 12 noon – 3 pm.
During the reception guests will have the opportunity to view photos and details of the dozens of antique jumpers that are available for “adoption” for the 2013 season—the carousel’s 85th year of operation. Guests will also be invited inside the carousel for a closer viewing of the horses.
The first horse to be adopted is the carousel’s Lead Horse. Hull residents and friends Debbie Fox and Stacy Urdang adopted this horse together, which they have named Patriot. Since then, several more horses have been adopted with 50 horses now waiting for adoptive sponsors.
For a donation of $250, a carousel horse can be adopted for the season by an individual, family or business. According to new board president Marie Schleiff, “This is a wonderful way to aid the restoration fund of the Paragon Carousel in addition to creating a thoughtful memorial, celebrating a family member, or acknowledging your business as a donor and supporter of our beloved and historic carousel.” Horses will be available on a “first-come” basis. The names of donors will be on display inside the carousel, listed on the organization’s web site and included in promotional materials. Other benefits to donors include a certificate with a photo of the adopted horse, full description and seasonal name, along with discounts and special offers on events held throughout the year at the carousel.
According to Schleiff, 10 of the 66 hand-carved horses have been fully restored via permanent “adoption” by donors over the years, at a cost of $10,000 each. By offering a more economical way to support the restoration efforts, new donors have an option to choose a horse in various states of condition—from fully restored to those in need of a complete restoration.
The “adoption” season will run throughout 2013. To make an appointment to see the available horses or for more information, please call 781-925-0472 or email info@paragoncarousel.com. Individual photos and details of each carousel horse will be included on our site later in the month.
The Friends of the Paragon Carousel is a charitable, non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:50PM 
