The Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club (MADC) is making an impact this holiday season with their end-of-season charity donations.
“This year, the MADC is donating $110,000 [USD] to a diverse range of charities in the area. These include horse charities, Standardbred retirement homes, food pantries, veteran’s charities, St Jude’s, Toys For Tots, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,” said the club's president, Joe Lee, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the charitable efforts.
“Since the MADC has become a staple of the Meadowlands product, it has used the generosity of Jeff Gural and the Meadowlands to provide all of our five per cent commissions to these great causes," continued Lee. "It is a win-win for everyone involved. Amateur racing brings new people to the sport, supports the racetrack with full fields, and now can use the purses to reach out to wonderful causes that help Standardbreds and people. It gives all of us involved in the MADC immense satisfaction to give back to all of these great causes while simultaneously getting to compete in the sport that we all love.”
The MADC is making donations to the following charities:
- $10,000 - Standardbred Retirement Foundation Inc.
- $10,000 - New Vocation Racehorse Adoption Program
- $10,000 - Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program Inc.
- $10,000 - Racing for Home Inc.
- $10,000 - 13 Hands Equine Rescue Inc.
- $10,000 - Toys for Tots
- $5,000 - MMXX Standardbreds Inc.
- $5,000 - Sunshine Horses Inc.
- $5,000 - Human Needs Food Pantry Inc.
- $5,000 - Meadowlands Area Young Men’s Christian Association
- $5,000 - Wounded Warriors
- $5,000 - Fisher House Foundation Inc.
- $5,000 - Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame
- $5,000 - World Central Kitchen Incorporated
- $5,000 - St. Jude Children Research Hospital Inc.
- $5,000 - National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The MADC’s board, which includes Jason Settlemoir, Scott Warren, Alex Figueras, David Glasser, Jeff Gural (Chairman), Jim Slendorn (Vice President), Mike Kimelman (Vice President) and Joe Lee (President), determined the selected charities.
(Meadowlands Racetrack; Photo of MADC member Tony Beltrami winning with Mariner Seelster on Feb. 9, 2024)