Fab Five Standardbred Driver Mike Peterson will present his charitable donation from last year’s activities at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino to Shriner’s Hospital for Children Friday, March 11 at the Madison County Shrine Club

in Anderson, Indiana.

Peterson will present the check at 6 p.m. during the weekly fish dinner session, which is open to the public. Gary Dalzell, president of the local chapter, will be on hand to accept the donation along with other members of the club.

Peterson chose Shriner’s Hospital for Children due to family ties to the Shrine Club near his hometown of Ligonier, Indiana. He now resides in Anderson, Indiana and supports the local chapter of the organization. Peterson’s donation was accumulated through numerous activities, including a go-kart race, pie eating contest, match horse race, and Charity Chariots, where members of the Fab Five give rides to fans around the racetrack at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Out of six drivers involved in the program, Peterson raised the most money for his charity.

Joe Putnam, also a member of the Fab Five Standardbred Drivers, recently presented his donation to Outfitters, Inc. of Pendleton, Indiana, which provides clothing and other essentials for school children in Madison County. Putnam presented the organization with $1,740 from his fundraising efforts during their fourth annual Midwinter Night’s Dream Benefit Gala.

Both Putnam and Peterson will begin their 2011 fundraising efforts for their charities again when the 18th season of standardbred racing gets underway Thursday, March 31. The 80-day meet will offer live racing Tuesday through Saturday. First post is 5:30 p.m. every day except Saturdays when racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Two special holiday racing cards will be held Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day and Monday, July 4 for Independence Day. Racing begins at 12:30 p.m. for the Memorial Day card while racing gets underway at 4:30 p.m. for the Independence Day celebration.

(Hoosier Park)