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Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Charity Handicapping Contest at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment


Ten local New Jersey charitable organizations have been selected to compete in the Charity Handicapping Contest on Saturday, May 25th.  The Contest offers a $15,000 total donation/prize pool, with all ten charities receiving a donation. Prizes will be awarded as follows: 1st Place: $5,000, 2nd Place: $3,000, 3rd Place: $2,000, 4th Place: $1,500, 5th Place: $1,000, 6th-10th: $500

The participating charities have different missions aimed at improving the lives of people and animals living in the Garden State.  The participating charities are:

  1. North Jersey Friendship House a non-profit organization that's mission is to build the skills of individuals with varying abilities and developmental needs by providing, within a safe haven, comprehensive clinical treatment, vocational training and work opportunities in order to achieve meaningful and productive lives. www.njfriendshiphouse.org
  2. Wayne Township Police Athletic League organized for the purpose of fostering and encouraging in the youth of Wayne Township, a spirit of loyalty and faith in American traditions and institutions through participation in constructive movements and endeavors for the promotion and safeguarding of their interests and general welfare:  to promote a spirit of benevolent friendship, goodwill, and tolerance and cultivate and improve their moral standards in order to more effectively combat juvenile delinquency; to provide meeting places where the youth of Wayne may enjoy every educational and social benefit and to participate in athletic activities under competent supervision; and to acquire, lease, hold, use mortgage and dispose of real and personal property to carry out the aforesaid purpose. www.waynepal.org
  3. Team Velvet Inc provides non-mounted equine facilitated mental health services to children ages 5-12 who have experienced trauma and adjustment difficulties within an atmosphere of natural horsemanship and good land stewardship. https://www.teamvelvet.com/
  4. Project Literacy of Greater Bergen County provides free one-on-one tutoring in ESL, Basic Adult Literacy and preparation for the math portion of the High School Equivalency exam. The goal is to provide the gift of literacy to adults who confront life in Bergen County without the skills to effectively communicate. www.project-literacy.org
  5. CBH Care, Inc provides the optimum healthcare that is responsive to consumer and community needs. CBH Care will treat individuals, families, and the community with respect and dignity regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, illness or age.  We are committed to accessible care that is delivered in a cost-effective manner.  We will provide this care with creative and responsive treatment strategies.  Those services are supported by the recruitment and the continuing development of the highest quality care providers. Care.com
  6. Act Now Foundation Inc. raises awareness and educates communities about Alzheimer’s disease, prevention and early detection; to provide support, education, evaluations testing, long-term care planning, resources and advocacy in order to improve the quality of life for families living and struggling with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. actnowfoundation.org
  7. Pacing For The Cure to those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) obtain financial assistance for medical equipment and services to manage this debilitating disease of the central nervous system as well as fund cutting edge MS research. https://pacingforthecure.org/ 
  8. Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey a non-profit organization founded to promote the Standardbred as a pleasure riding and driving horse by exposing the public to their performances through equine events. Whatever the discipline is, eventing, western pleasure, driving, hunter/jumper, trail riding or dressage, our mission is to let the public know that the Standardbred is a very versatile breed. www.sphonj.org
  9. Standardbred Retirement Foundation  provides humane care and services for horses in need of lifetime homes, and in crisis, through rehabilitation, training, adoption, lifelong follow-up, or lifetime sanctuary; and offers therapeutic equine opportunities for children, and adults. 
  10.  Horse Rescue United saves horses of all breeds from abandonment, abuse, neglect, and slaughter. We specialize in retraining and rehoming Standardbreds. Whenever possible, HRU purchases slaughter-bound horses from auction, and also assists owner surrenders before they end up in the wrong handshttp://horserescueunited.org/

For the Charity Handicapping Contest, organizations will select one (1) horse in each of the 10 designated Meadowlands live races.  The organizations will amass a mythical bankroll if their selection officially finishes first, second or third in the designated race. Official $2 WPS (Win, Place, Show) payoffs will be added to the mythical bankroll. Official race results will serve as the order of finish. The organization that accumulates the highest mythical bankroll is the winner.
The participating organizations are encouraged to make it a night at the races for their volunteers and employees.  Each organization will also have the opportunity to make winner’s circle presentations and be featured on the track’s jumbotron. 
“We are delighted with the response we received for the first year of our charity contest,” said Jason Settlemoir, COO and GM of Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. “We look forward to a fun night of racing that will raise some money for those in need.” 
For more information on the charity contest visit http://playmeadowlands.com/event_detail.aspx?id=18952