Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
More than 60% of The Magical Meadows’ $2 million Growing with Heart capital campaign goal has been raised in less than a year.
Wednesday morning, the therapeutic horseback riding nonprofit at 3386 E. CR 525N, Warsaw, held a groundbreaking ceremony on the major expansion project, which includes the construction of two new indoor riding arenas. One building will focus on expanding services for individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth, and the other will be dedicated to serving veterans and first responders through Magical Meadows’ Warriors Mount Up program.
Magical Meadows Chairman of the Board Carl Adams opened Wednesday’s ceremony with a prayer and welcoming remarks.
“So, 19 years ago, almost 20 now, Miss Tammy had a dream, but I don’t think that she recognized that the dream was going to be what it is today and going forward. Through many trials and moments in that 19 years, she’s overcome those things,” Adams said of Tammy Stackhouse, founder of The Magical Meadows.
Along the way, he said they have met parents that have showed them what “real, true determination, commitment, strength and struggle are and how to really be true men and women. So without our parents - some of you are here today - who have entrusted your children to us, you may have thought that it was helping them, and it does, but what you were doing was helping us become the men and women that we are today. So we thank you. This expansion is for you. This expansion will change the core of this entire community, I believe, because it’s not just three buildings. It’s going to be a place where life-changing things take place.”
Michael Kuhn, Magical Meadows executive director, said, “We’re gathered here today not only to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Magical Meadows Growing with Heart expansion project, but also to testify to the faithfulness of God, his perfect will, his perfect timing and his perfect plan.”
He said over the past year, he’s seen God’s hand guiding “every single detail of this process. From the very first conversations with our board to the passionate ‘yes’ from families and donors who wanted to see this happen to the incredible generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations who have stepped forward, God has been writing this story. We could not have scripted it ourselves.”
The campaign was officially launched four months ago, Kuhn said.
“Today we stand here with over $1.2 million raised towards our $2 million goal. That’s not coincidence. That is the faithfulness of God at work through his people,” he stated.
Adams earlier thanked The Magical Meadows Board of Directors for their work. Kuhn thanked the K21 Health Foundation and the anonymous donors for their generosity.
“Now, as we break ground today, I want us to remember that this is more than a construction project. This is a kingdom project. Every shovel of dirt that we turn over today represents hope for a person with special needs who will find confidence on the back of a horse. Every beam that goes up represents healing for a veteran who struggles with invisible wounds that many of us fully can’t understand. Every brick laid represents rest and renewal for a first responder who has given so much of themselves to serve others,” Kuhn stated. “This expansion isn’t just about buildings, it’s about lives. Lives that will be touched, lives that will be healed, restored and transformed because of the ministry that God has entrusted to us here at The Magical Meadows.”
He thanked The Magical Meadows staff for pouring their hearts into the work daily, the board for their work, the volunteers who “embodied the hearts and feet of Christ in action,” donors and community partners, MSKTD & Associates, Matt Schwartz and B&M Builders, Carl Brovont and L.I. Excavating, and he thanked Stackhouse “for being a vessel that God has used to dream big dreams and then inspire others to step into them.” He concluded by thanking the Lord.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith said, “You heard a little bit about the vision, and I’m big on that. We all know and agree, I think, that Magical Meadows does amazing, special work already. But they had a vision of ‘How can we make it even better? What are the needs of the community?’ And they did exactly that. They had their ears to the ground, they listened, they watched and then put a plan together.”
It’s hard to make things like the expansion happen without the support of the community, he said. “And we have such a darn good community to buy in these missions and these visions, and this is going to be incredible.”
Being a veteran himself and a leader at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Smith said he worries a lot about the mental health of his employees.
“This is another tool and opportunity for them, as they’re having those rough moments, those rough days, and they don’t have to explain it to anyone. They’re going to have a chance to be able to come out here and just have their time and be able to work through those with the beautiful creatures that they have at Magical Meadows,” Smith stated, concluding by stating how proud he was of Stackhouse and her organization.
K21 Health Foundation CEO Rich Haddad said what he found over the many years he’s been at the foundation is that any good work starts with passion.
“And as somebody who tries to walk by faith, I believe that passion comes from above and it is infused into somebody that can’t help but do something. Sometimes it’s a need that is so intense they have to try to solve that need, and sometimes it’s an outbreak of something that is happening that they want to try to do something about,” he said.
The Magical Meadows is here, Haddad believes, because God put a passion into Stackhouse that said, “I have to do something. I love horses and I love people and there’s a connection there, and I’m not sure exactly how it’s going to play out, but it’s going to play out.”
It’s been a long journey, he said, but it’s unbelieveable where they are now in 2025.
“Because passion alone doesn’t create results. Doesn’t create impact. Vision has to form around that passion, and then organization has to be built around that passion and vision. And then ultimately, a community has to embrace the passion and the vision and the organization. And we’re seeing it happening right now in real time, and that’s really exciting,” Haddad stated.
He said what he loves about The Magical Meadows organization and what it offers is it’s growing, expanding and will help more people in more ways. He also highlighted the collaboration and impact The Magical Meadows does with other nonprofits in the community like Cardinal Services, Joe’s Kids and Project Ebenezer.
Before the turning of the dirt, Stackhouse gave the closing remarks.
“Nineteen years ago when Cory, Magic and I embarked on this journey, in my driveway, I knew that there was a need, but ... never realizing what that need truly was. And to be able to share the opportunity with so many people is so overwhelming and overjoying, I can’t tell you what it means to me to see all of you here,” she said.
She thanked all her supporters, backers and friends.
“God is good, and I am blessed,” Stackhouse said.
Learn more about the Growing with Heart capital campaign and expansion project online at www.themagicalmeadows.org/growingwithheart/
