Woodbine Racetrack will host its annual Community Day on Saturday, April 4. This year the event coincides with the return of thoroughbred racing to the Toronto oval

.

“These two events happening on the same day is a great fit for our organization,” says Jane Holmes, Woodbine Entertainment Group’s (WEG) vice president of corporate affairs. “WEG is committed to being a leader within the horse racing industry, a good corporate citizen and a strong community partner. Community Day helps us demonstrate our commitment on one day, under one roof.”

WEG believes that it has a clear responsibility to invest in the communities in which it does business and actively lends its leadership to a number of community organizations and causes. WEG is one of only 110 companies in Canada to achieve Caring Company designation through Imagine Canada – donating over $1/2 million a year to local charities.

“We invite everyone who lives in the community to visit Woodbine on Saturday, April 4th to celebrate the return of thoroughbred racing and speak to the representatives from the service and charitable groups that keep our community healthy and safe. We are also using this day to collect food for *Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter -- a local agency that provides support and shelter for women and children escaping violence,” said Holmes.

“We ask that customers bring a non-perishable food item and support Woodbine’s food drive for Ernestine’s.”

Also, on-track will be Child Find Ontario. Parents can safe proof their kids with the KIDCHECK safety program, which includes a personal safety booklet for children including their fingerprints, photo, information and more.

Events will start at 11:00 a.m.

WEG Would Like To Thank the Following Community Partners for Their Support of Woodbine’s Community Day:

Albion Neighbourhood Services
Community Assoc. for Riding for the Disabled
Child Find Ontario
Community MicroSkills Development Centre
Direct Energy
Down the Stretch
Equine Guelph
Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter
Humber College
Lions Foundation of Canada - Dog Guides
LongRun Retirement Society
Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG) – Woodbine
Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society
Pathways to Education
Racetrack Chaplaincy of Canada – Ontario
Recycling Council of Ontario
Responsible Gambling Council
Rexdale Community Heath Centre
Rexdale Women’s Centre
The Children’s Breakfast Clubs
The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
The Dorothy Ley Hospice
The Game
The Gatehouse
Toronto and Region Conservation
Toronto Police Services – 23 Division
William Osler Health Centre Foundation
Woodbine Centre
YWCA Toronto

*Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, provides shelter and support to women and children escaping domestic violence. Ernestine’s is located in Etobicoke, and provides services to women from all over the Greater Toronto Area. Its core services include 32 beds in 14 rooms for single women and families, a 24-hour emergency telephone crisis line, and trained staff available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It also offers services to women and children who have moved out of the shelter and now live on their own. This includes counseling services, clothing support, and on-site food bank. Over the past 26 years Ernestine’s has helped over 3,000 women and children.

(WEG)