1The Annual Golf Tournament and Social will be held on
August 13th, 2021, at the Broad Bay Country Club

ABOUT EQUI-KIDS:

EQUI-KIDS is a therapeutic horseback riding facility that was founded in 1989. Our mission is to provide, promote and support equine-assisted activities for individuals with mentally, physically, emotionally, socially or learning-disabling conditions. We serve both children and adults, ages five and up, including those with disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, mental and physical disabilities, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and more.

In 2010, we launched the EQUI-VETS service program to offer physical and mental healing through equine activities for armed service members wounded in the line of duty, including both active duty and veterans. Our services are offered free of charge for veterans and at a deeply discounted rate for all other riders. We never turn anyone away who would benefit from our services and offer scholarships to those facing financial hardship.

Therapeutic riding helps boost strength, balance and other skills for individuals with a variety of physical and developmental disabilities. We serve approximately 135 riders per week.

To learn more, visit www.equikids.org.

5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament: Held on May 19, 2017 at the Broad Bay Country Club

4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament & Social Results: Held on June 6, 2016 at the Broad Bay Country Club

Thank you to everyone who made this day possible!

3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament Results: Held on June 6, 2015 at the Broad Bay Country Club

2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament Results: Held on June 7, 2014 at Honey Bee Golf Club

1st Annual Charity Golf Tournament: Held on May 18, 2013 at Stumpy Lake Golf Course

Andrew Soccer Complex Announcement

Andrew Schliske Memorial Playground

The unexpected death of avid soccer player, Andrew Schliske, on June 9, 2012, created an outpouring of donations in his memory. Andrew loved soccer and grew up playing at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex. Andrew cherished the camaraderie he developed over the years with so many other soccer players. His family has created a lasting memory at the Complex in his honor in the form of a playground suitable for ages 2-12 years as well as a beautiful, interactive, soccer ball.

The added feature of the playground equipment will be enjoyed by families in the community for years to come and would not have been possible without the support from friends, the Hampton Roads Soccer Council, Karen Knott and the Soccer Complex Staff, The City of Virginia Beach, Tropical Smoothie at Marina Shore Shops, Shore Break, Stumpy Lake Golf Course and Family Members.

Special thanks to Katie Nicholson who organized various fundraiser activities and to Diane Husson for her creation of the Interactive Soccer Ball Memorial.

Mike Rossi – Everything I need to know Dedication 9-22-13

“ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED ON THE PLAYGROUND”

A playground is a metaphor for life with all its ups and downs, climbing ladders to success only to fall to earth after a slide. But we pick ourselves up and try again. And we want to explore more, so we enter uncharted territory, blind tunnels from which we eventually re-enter the light and can see clearly our next challenge. We slide and fall again and again and again, but as human beings, we do not give up.

In Greek, the name Andrew means “Man Warrior” while Lee, Andrew’s middle name, is Celtic for “Healer.” It is so fitting, therefore, that the playground will be forever watched by the Man Warrior and Healer, Andrew Lee. On this very playground, countless children and adults will clash on the same soccer fields that Andrew did battle many times himself. Countless children will battle on the playground for supremacy as to who can go down the slide the fastest; or who can do the most pull ups; or who can climb the fastest. And the soccer field and playground combatants will get their share of scrapes, bumps, and bruises but will be comforted by Andrew Lee, the Man Warrior and Healer, who will watch over them and be a presence at this playground today and for untold years to come.

Thanks again to everyone for supporting the 2013 charity events and it is our hope that the same level of support will be attained for this year’s Andrew Schliske Memorial fundraising events. Proceeds for 2014 will be utilized to support the ALS Foundation.

Andrew Reading by Spencer 6-15-12

When his siblings were told that Andrew would be coming into this world, it took them by surprise. Once he was born, the family dynamic quickly shifted to make room for such a cute baby with an infectious smile that would continue on into adulthood.

Being the youngest of five, it can be hard to find your own identity. We used to say that he embodied the best traits of all of his siblings combined. He had Spencer’s philosophy, Matthew’s strength, Nick’s faith, and Amber’s gentle heart.

Once again, we were all taken by surprise by his departure. Once again, we have had to adjust to a shift in Andrew’s presence, though it seems impossible. We were never the same after his birth, and we will never be the same after his departure.

The Bible says “These three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.”
Andrew was constantly grateful for what he had, no matter what came his way. We can all question what could have been, but we can also choose to honor him by simply being grateful for the blessing he was. Anyone who encountered his smile is a better person for having known him and being the fortunate recipient of his love, however short that time may have been. While no one individual among us carries the entirety of Andrew, together, we can do our best to help his love last forever by continuing to represent him in this world.

One of the most important things for Andrew was bringing his friends and family together. He is obviously still working his magic by bringing everyone together at various charity functions, dedication events and the over-pouring of people that attended his “celebration of life.”

Those close to Andrew know how active and well-rounded he was in sports and how much he enjoyed competing on teams with friends. The one sport that persisted since a child was soccer. He grew up playing on Virginia Beach Soccer Fields and envisioned coaching little kids one day. In recent years, he really enjoyed playing at this soccer complex and truly valued the camaraderie of family and friends that came along with it.

Fund Administrators

• Dennis Schliske

Donations

CharitySmith accepts donations in two ways:

By Mail:
Andrew Schliske Memorial Fund
CharitySmith Nonprofit Foundation
13100 Filly Lane
Truckee, CA 96161

Online:
Use credit card by clicking the Donate Now button above.

The above Memorial Fund is established as a division of CharitySmith Nonprofit Foundation (EIN 87-0636433). All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail within two weeks of donation. Please consider asking if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer. For questions regarding your donation or this memorial fund please contact CharitySmith.