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Burne family presents 24 acres on Edella Road to group that provides equine therapy for victims of abuse.

April Loposky, Program Director of Marley’s Mission, left, with Denise Burne Fein. Burne Fein presented the deed for 24-acres of land on Edella Road in South Abington Township to Marley’s Mission for $1.

Submitted Photo

S. ABINGTON TWP. – A 24-acre piece of land located on Edella Road in S. Abington Twp. is more than just acreage. It is a symbol of hopes and dreams, the unity of two families and organizations. On the land stands a 3,500-square-foot building, which the late R. Matthew Burne envisioned as a location that would be the backdrop for his annual Halloween haunted house, or walking trails, or a stage for free concerts among other ideas.

His sister, Denise Burne Fein said that her brother, who died in 2004, had an idea that the building would be used for the community. “He bought it with a vision of creating a recreational complex for the community that would have his Haunt. He formed a non-profit and he named it F.R.E.E in the Abingtons… it stands for For the Recreational Enjoyment of Everyone.” Matt Burne wanted the Edella Road land to become the home for the organization.

Since his death in 2004, Matt Burne’s family has been searching for an organization to use the land and building.

“..It became my mission to make his dreams become reality. My dad was alive at the time, too and we just wanted to see life on that hill, life in that building…” said Burne Fein, referencing her father Dick Burne, who died two years ago.

After six years of the building being vacant, Burne Fein started spreading the word of the land and the building through media outlets. A few organizations approached her about it, but they all fell through for various reasons. One day her friend Michele Tierney connected her with Abington Area Joint Recreation Board president Bill Risse.

Originally the land was going to be given to the Abington Area Joint Recreation Board.

Burne Fein remembers telling Risse something she had never said before about the land. “I said to him ‘I see horses on that land.’” That’s when, according to Burne Fein, divine intervention occurred.

Days after that conversation, Risse contacted her about Marley’s Mission, a non-profit group that helps victims of physical or sexual abuse through equine therapy.

Marley’s Mission was formed over the past year and was created from an idea by April Loposky, a Simpson resident whose daughter was a victim of assault July 5, 2009. She was 5 years old at the time of the assault.

According to First Assistant District Attorney and President of Marley’s Mission Gene Talerico, the man who assaulted Loposky’s daughter, Felix Montoya, was found guilty in her assault and sentenced with life in prison plus 20 to 40 years.

The first branch of Marley’s Mission opened in Lake Ariel, symbolically, exactly one year after the incident. The land is leased from John Seeley. “He’s a great man,” Loposky said.

Marley’s Mission came to fruition when the Loposky family moved out of the house where the attack occurred. The community had set up a fund to help them with the move. The money raised was used to buy Loposky’s daughter a 14-year-old horse named Strawberry.

“Ever since I think she could talk, that’s all she wanted,” Loposky said. Loposky recently became certified in equine assisted psychotherapy.

After the attack, her daughter would not speak with her therapist about the assault. Eventually, her therapist would visit with her while the child was with Strawberry, and the child began to talk more.

Loposky approached Talerico, who prosecuted the case, about starting a non-profit group that involved equine therapy. They went public with the group after the sentencing of Montoya occurred Feb. 2, according to Loposky.

Since opening four months ago, Marley’s Mission currently is assisting 24 children, ranging in age from four to 18, and features seven horses. They serve five counties, Pike, Wayne, Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Luzerne.

According to Loposky, the children at Marley’s Mission take part in several activities, including one where they build and label obstacles.

Loposky said that if the horse shows signs of fear or hesitation toward the obstacles it opens the chance for the counselor to ask if that child has ever been afraid.

The Simpson mother said her daughter is happy with the progress of Marley’s Mission. “She loves it. At first she thought she was the only one this had ever happened to and she felt really alone. With this, she sees the kids… she knows what we do and she’s not so alone. She wants to talk to them and she likes to help. She’s six now and all she talks about is when she’s old enough it’s hers and she’s taking it over…”

The land at Edella Road in South Abington Township was officially deeded to Marley’s Mission Nov. 10, for $1.

Burne Fein described Marley’s Mission use of the land as a perfect union and believes that her brother Matt Burne would be happy with the outcome. “I think he would be thrilled and elated that it is being put to such wonderful, constructive, therapeutic use. I know my father would be, just, amazed. I think they’re dancing, I do… it’s like the perfect match.”

For more information on Marley’s Mission visit, www.marleysmission.info. For more information on F.R.E.E in the Abingtons visit www.freeintheabingtons.org.

Want to help?

What: A viewing of Newswatch 16 anchors Scott Schaffer and Julie Sidoni play ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ to benefit Marley’s Mission.

When: Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m.

Where: UNO Pizza in Dickson City.

Cost: $10, includes one drink special, free appetizers and a Marley’s Mission bracelet.