Keller Williams NYC’s ReisNYC Team donates 100 percent of its commission to NYC nonprofit offering therapeutic equestrian services to New Yorkers with special needs
GallopNYC, a non-profit specializing in therapeutic equestrian programs for New Yorkers with special needs, has purchased Lynne’s Riding School in Forest Hills, Queens and renamed it GallopNYC Forest Hills.
Located near the shopping district of Metropolitan Avenue and Forest Hills Stadium at 8803 70th Road, the location now serves as GallopNYC’s flagship, in addition to its other sites in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. The sale of the 10,000-square-foot property also includes access to three miles of bridle path in Forest Park. GallopNYC had been renting horses from the riding school before the sale. Leading real estate brokerage Keller Williams NYC Agents Dr. David Reis and Raymond Reis III of the ReisNYC Team brokered the deal, donating 100 percent of their commission to the organization – a donation matched equally by KWNYC. GallopNYC purchased the stables for $3 million.
“Serving an average of 500 riders each week and rising, the acquisition of the new site will allow us to double the number of our riders within two years,” says James Wilson, director of operations at GallopNYC. “This is a game changer and transformative to our organization. More New Yorkers with disabilities waiting for lessons can now be served. We couldn’t have expanded had it not been for this purchase.”
In addition to Wilson, GallopNYC is led by Executive Director Alicia Kershaw, Board Chair Suzanne Marquard and Vice President Sol Reischer. The organization serves youth with a wide range of disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities and other developmental physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. The non-profit also serves at-risk and court-involved youth, veterans and adults with multiple sclerosis. As part of its horse education programming, GallopNYC also offers recreational lessons and horse education to the public.
“We, along with the ReisNYC Team, are honored to assist our communities throughout the New York City area,” says Lezley Schad, team leader of Keller Williams NYC. “The donations from our agents and company showcase the heart of Keller Williams culture in action.”
This is the first pro-bono project for both members of the ReisNYC Team, who have worked together at KWNYC since 2014. Dr. Reis has served on the GallopNYC Board of Directors since January 2016.
“This acquisition affords GallopNYC the means to rapidly scale its services, reaching more riders and families with an accelerated growth strategy,” says Dr. Reis. “ReisNYC, along with the charitable support of KWNYC, fostered communication between the previous owners and GallopNYC to mediate a successful transaction. The resulting expansion has been essential to GallopNYC’s mission and vision.”
About Keller Williams NYC
Keller Williams NYC is the New York City master franchise of Keller Williams Realty International, the largest real estate company in North America with more than 135,000 agents. Locally, KWNYC has grown to more than 800 agents since its launch in 2011 and has been ranked in the top 10 for real estate agencies in NYC in many categories. The vast Keller Williams network affords our agents the opportunity to provide a full-service advisory real estate experience for the consumer. For more information about Keller Williams NYC, please visit www.kwnyc.com.
About ReisNYC Team
Dr. David Reis is a cardiologist with 27 years of private practice experience in interventional and clinical cardiology. He’s concurrently held national consultancy medical directorships in Fortune 500 Health Benefits Design and Utilization Review, has advised his regional board of the Urban Land Institute, has national interest in urban revitalization, and advises health care architects and designers. Dr. Reis directed Yale University’s designated outpatient cardiac rehab center achieving national certification for service excellence. Providing strategic insight to developers and operators of long-term care, senior housing, and bio-informatics start-ups, he is also a principal for a real time health care solutions corporation. Dr. Reis is a member of the Board of Directors of GallopNYC. Raymond P. Reis III is a career Wall Street executive with the distinction of having been a member of the American Stock Exchange and Commodity Exchanges for over 25 years, the youngest specialist on the American Stock Exchange, a Senior Exchange Official, and owner of Philanna Capital, an option market making firm, transacting in the busiest and largest trading pits in the world. For more information, please visit reisnyc.com.
About GallopNYC
GallopNYC is a leading therapeutic horsemanship program using horseback riding and horse knowledge to develop developmental, cognitive, social, and physical skills for those with special needs. Under the direction of a certified instructor and supported by trained volunteers, the lessons help riders build physical strength, develop problem-solving skills, increase empathy and improve social skills. GallopNYC riders gain measurable improvements in life skills that are assessed throughout their participation in our programs. Therapeutic riding develops transferable benefits that are vital to helping riders reach their full potential in life. Visit Gallopnyc.org.
