As a green John Deere rolls along the hayfield, boys dressed in cowboy hats and boots hold their moms' hands and run across the mud-crusted driveway to the dark green Storybook Farm barn.
Storybook Farm hosted its Cowboy Roundup Saturday, Feb. 6 and 13.
The Roundup gave mothers and sons a chance to spend time together Valentine's Day, while dads and little sisters were dancing the night away at the annual dance hosted by City of Auburn Parks and Recreation.
"The manager of Longhorn Steakhouse came up with the idea," said Dena Little, owner of Storybook Farms. "He is a parent of a little girl and boy, and he thought it would be a fun thing for his little boy to have something to do while he and his daughter were at the dance."
Longhorn Steakhouse took part in the fundraiser by donating a meal.
For $30 participants enjoyed a steak dinner, hayride, bonfire and got to meet the horses.
Little said the fundraiser gives her non-profit publicity at a time when nonprofits usually have trouble gaining attention.
During the night, moms and their sons decorated black horseshoes with crayons while a bonfire blazed outside. Horses awaiting visits in their stalls included Paddington Bear, Captain Hook and Little John.
A banquet-style table was set up throughout the barn for mothers and sons to grab their dinners and eat as they pleased.
"There are not a lot of fundraisers at the beginning of the year," Little said. "This gives us a chance to gain awareness for the cause."
Kristen Jackoway and her son Russell said they heard of the event because Russell used to attend Storybook Farm.
"Meeting the horses was my favorite part," Russell said. "Paddington Bear was my horse when I came here."
Lindsay Jordan, senior in communication, worked as an intern during the roundup and said Storybook plans to make the event an annual one. Jordan said approximately 60 children attended.
Diane Sharski and her son Jacob were among the couples there. Sharski said the event gave them a chance to have a motherson night.
Both mother and son agreed that meeting the horses were their favorite part of the night.
Storybook Farms is a nonprofit organization that uses therapeutic horseback riding to help children overcome disabilities.
The farm features horses and other farm animals named after characters from children's books.
Storybook provides therapy for several different disabilities.
University students are some of the usual volunteers at the ranch that help care for the horses and help the children interact with the animals.
"There is no charge to the families," Little said. "We currently see about 600 children per week and work with five local school systems that bring their inclusive special education department to Storybook."
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