With the arrest of and charges levied aginst the arsonist who intentionally set fire to Barn F at Tioga Downs, resulting in the death of the 30 horses stabled within, the process of grieving for them and the recovery of those who cared for them begins.
Those stables who lost horses, Allison Kolesar, Daniel Harvey, Edgar Clarke, Kevin Reynolds and Lee Morris will need all of the support, both emotional and financial, that the harness racing community can offer.
Social media is playing a large role in the emotional component as well as providing a vehicle for the donation of both goods and money to be address these needs. Using #TiogaStrong will help to connect these efforts.
Several initiatives are already underway on social media for used equipment to be gathered and transported to Tioga to be made available to the affected stables.
A GoFundMe account was set up early yesterday as well, and the generosity of fellow horsepersons has that total near $85,000 as of press time.
Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural pledged this morning to match up to $100,000 of the money donated via the above linked GoFundMe account from his tracks, which include The Meadowlands and Vernon Downs.
"It's just sad and senseless that this can happen so randomly," said Gural. "I have a farm 10 minutes away and I love my visits to Tioga for the racing and to spend time with the mares and foals at the farm.
"We're here to help and support these people who have suffered an unthinkable horror and must now rebulid their lives."
Contact information for the Southern Tier Harness Horseman's Association for those unsure how they can help is below;
Southern Tier Harness Horseman's Association
PO Box 9
Nichols, NY 13812
607-333-5426 / [email protected]
(Tioga Downs)