Turn Around for Tommy Perpetual Memorial Scholarship

A Perpetual Scholarship has been started to honor the life of Thomas Edward Mahalchick III. Turn Around for Tommy is a transformative equine experience that aims to provide individuals and families the opportunity to work in partnership with horses, to process feelings, and to explore new coping skills, all in the safe, supportive and tranquil setting found at HorseSense Therapeutic Riding Center, owned and operated by Tommy’s loving family in Howell, NJ: https://www.horsesensenj.com/. The mission of Turn Around for Tommy is to help individuals and families who are trying to navigate a variety of life stressors stemming from issues such as substance use, addiction, trauma and loss.

Tommy was smart, funny and kind. He had a huge heart and a smile that could light up any room. Fiercely loyal and protective, Tommy would go out of his way to help anyone who needed it. A competitive ice hockey player since age 5, Tommy followed his passion through Division 1 College at West Virginia University where he also served 4-years in the Army National Guard before graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice. Along the way, Tommy became injured playing the sport he loved. He put all of his strength and determination into overcoming the challenges that resulted from his injury and dedicated himself to recovery, both physically and mentally. Whenever Tommy came to visit his family, he could be found volunteering at HorseSense. He enjoyed spending time with the students and the animals and he had a special connection with a mini pony named “Winnie”. Tommy’s recovery was often a long and difficult road, but with the love and support of his family and friends Tommy made great strides and was working to turn his life around.

True to Tommy’s character, he was helping a friend in need, when he was senselessly murdered in his home on the morning of June 28, 2024. The world lost a an amazing person and heaven gained another angel.

Turn Around for Tommy seeks to offer a peaceful and supportive environment for comfort and reflection to those who are going through difficult times. Horses are both prey and herd animals and by nature they are “hard wired” to read and respond to our non-verbal cues and emotions for their own safety and survival. Horses are able to “mirror” our true feelings and help us learn deeper levels of mindfulness, self-reflection, how to rebuild trust and relationships, how to reestablish confidence and remind us how to “breathe”. Horses are incredible teachers and healers.

Please donate to Turn Around for Tommy, all money collected will be used to expand access to this transformative equine experience and to fund a perpetual scholarship to be awarded to individuals and families in need of these services for years to come.

Please remember to utilize your company’s matching gift policy to maximize your donation.

“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man” Winston S. Churchill.