The Carolina Hurricanes Kids 'N Community Foundation has awarded a $2,000 grant to Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program as part of the Hurricanes' effort to enhance the lives of youth in the community.

The Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program provides equine assisted therapy to children and adults with a variety of physical, cognitive and psychological disabilities. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve each rider's quality of life so that he or she can become more independent, productive and active members of the community.

More than 70 percent of the program's operating budget comes from donations, grants and fundraising events. The Kids 'N Community grant will provide 100 individual lessons for students who are receiving scholarship support.

Doug Warf, manager of community relations for the Carolina Hurricanes and executive director of the Hurricanes Kids 'N Community Foundation, visited Rocking Horse Ranch and presented the check. The program was one of 20 organizations throughout the state to receive a grant for the spring cycle.

Grants are awarded by the foundation twice a year.

"We were so thrilled to be one of those chosen," Rocking Horse Ranch program director Linda Moran said in a news release. "Our program could not be a success without grants such as this one."

Along with the check, Warf also contributed a game-worn jersey from former Carolina Hurricanes forward Cory Stillman that was to be auctioned off at Rocking Horse Ranch's fifth annual Derby Dash Bash fundraiser on Saturday.