Hoof Beats founder Foy is Person of Year
In one of the biggest nights of the year for the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, the group named its Person of the Year and installed a new president during the 59th annual membership banquet Tuesday night at the Paris Convention Center on East Wood Street.
Jan Foy was named Person of the Year for her longtime involvement with Henry County youth.
Her involvement with Hoof Beats of Hope, a group that offers horseback riding therapy for individuals with physical or mental challenges, was highlighted by 2008 Person of the Year winner Ray Harding while he introduced Foy to the sold-out event.
“I’m just speechless,” a joyful Foy said. “Hoof Beats is what I’m passionate about. It’s what I was put here to do, it just took me 45 years to find it.”
“Jan is what Henry County is all about,” emcee Bruce Reed said later. “Just look at what she’s done with Hoof Beats of Hope.”
A Henry County native, Foy turned a lifelong love for animals into a way to help people who are less fortunate. Working closely with such groups as 4-H, the Carey Counseling Center and Lakeway Animal Clinic, Foy put it all together in 1992 when she and physical therapist Debbie Jelks decided to try horseback riding therapy.
(See the Paris PI Newspaper for entire story)
