HAHIRA — Leslie Jacobs wept when she received a check Wednesday for $25,100 for Jacobs’ Ladder, her therapeutic horseback riding center. She had requested $8,700.

The Valdosta Junior Service League Provisional Class raised the funds through a “Rhythm and Raffle” benefit March 1 at the Valdosta Country Club.

“I was speechless,” Jacobs said. “That was the biggest single donation we had ever received here at Jacobs’ Ladder, and we will make sure that the money blesses those that we strive to help. A custom-made saddle with a chair back to it is being prepared, and we hope to have it by late fall. That will allow us to serve some children who are moderately to severely physically impaired and unable to sit up without assistance.

“Other funds will be used to make some improvements here for our horses. Since we can’t do this wonderful work without our horses, we feel it is appropriate to give them decent homes. An addition to our barn is in the works, which will provide six more stalls for horses who don’t currently have access to the barn.

“In addition to the horse stalls, we have plans to renovate the bathroom located in the barn and make it a bit more ‘user friendly.’

Jacobs’ Ladder Therapeutic Riding Center, 5866 Bradford Road N., Hahira, was begun by Jacobs in 1999.

Weather permitting, Jacobs’ Ladder sees 60-70 special needs riders each week ranging in age from 3 to adult. Their challenges include autism, Aspergers Syndrome, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, traumatic brain injury, Down’s Syndrome, children with learning disabilities and several sight-impaired.