Yonkers Raceway had 12 races with 13 winners Tuesday night...and there wasn't a single dead-heat in sight.
That's because the biggest winner of the evening was the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a cause close to
the raceway. The JDRF received a $5,000 donation from the North American Amateur Drivers Association.
"JDRF is a an organization which we believe in very strongly," Raceway general manager Bob Galterio said. "We greatly appreciate NAADA's generous contribution, and we know it's going to be put to good use."
"Why we became involved is simple," NAADA founder and director Joe Faraldo said. "JDRF is dedicated to eliminating this dreaded disease, and the amateur drivers who compete both here and at Monticello are equally dedicated in assisting this and other very worthwhile charities."
Monies were collected from club membership dues and driving fees throughout the course of 2010.
"Yonkers Raceway has been a long time-supporter of ours," Rebecca Santoli, executive director of JDRF's Westchester County chapter, said. "It has sponsored our annual walks to cure diabetes and has taken an active role in our mission. To have the amateur drivers on board just makes it that much better."
Ms. Santoli, along with Board president Richard Bloom and development manager Tara Gambardella, accepted the donation in a winner's circle presentation.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable funder of, and advocate for, Type 1 diabetes research. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.
Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with Type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.5 billion to diabetes research, including more than $107 million in 2010. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.
For more information about JDRF and its work, please call (914) 686-7700, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.jdrf.org/westchester.
(Yonkers Raceway)