Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Redmond has announced the winners of the 2024 Corporate Strides and Community Partner Award, which annually recognizes organizations for their volunteerism and/or financial contributions in support of the Little Bit mission.

Founded in 1976, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center is a community that uses horses to transform the body, mind and spirit of people with disabilities.

The winners of the 2024 Corporate Strides and Community Partner Award are Microsoft and the Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop. Microsoft and the Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop were honored on August 15 at the fifth annual Links for Little Bit golf tournament at Mount Si Golf Course in Snoqualmie.

Since 1998, Microsoft has supported Little Bit through its employee giving program. And since 2012, volunteer work groups have been held each year to help maintain Little Bit’s facilities and property. In addition, many Microsoft employees and their partners or spouses volunteer at Little Bit each week, according to a press release.

Since 2010, Kirkland’s volunteer-run nonprofit Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop has supported Little Bit through horse sponsorships and shopping vouchers for Little Bit participants who receive tuition assistance for Little Bit services.

“Little Bit is able to reduce its program fees so that families currently pay less than 35% of the actual cost thanks to volunteer labor and in-kind and monetary donations,” said Paula J. Del Giudice, Little Bit’s executive director, in a press release. “Both Microsoft and Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop have been key partners for many years. Corporate sponsorships, grants, fundraisers, workplace giving, matching gift programs, pro bono work and volunteerism are critical to our success and result in our ability to provide life-changing equine-assisted services to several hundred children and adults with disabilities each year.”