The Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club (MADC) is making an impact this holiday season with its end-of-season charity donations.
"This year, the MADC donated over $70,000 [USD] in driver commissions to multiple charities," said Joe Lee, the club's president, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the club's charitable efforts. "They range from horse retirement facilities to local food pantries and foundations for disease research that have affected families of MADC members, like the Multiple Sclerosis foundation and the Alzheimer’s foundation.
"The MADC is proud to be a regular part of The Meadowlands program and takes great pride in helping both local and national charities this time of year. We can only do that because of the generosity of The Meadowlands and the public who backs us week in and week out. Because of the level of support we receive, we can pay it forward and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.”
The charities with donation amounts are:
- $7,500 USD - Standardbred Retirement Foundation Inc.
- $7,500 USD - New Vocation Racehorse Adoption Program
- $7,500 USD - Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program Inc.
- $5,000 USD - Racing for Home Inc.
- $5,000 USD - 13 Hands Equine Rescue Inc.
- $5,000 USD - MMXX Standardbreds Inc.
- $5,000 USD - Sunshine Horses Inc.
- $5,000 USD - Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame
- $2,000 USD - Toys for Tots
- $2,000 USD - Human Needs Food Pantry Inc.
- $2,000 USD - Meadowlands Area Young Men’s Christian Association
- $2,000 USD - Wounded Warriors
- $2,000 USD - World Central Kitchen Incorporated
- $2,000 USD - Ronald McDonald House of Central & Northern New Jersey
- $2,000 USD - Liberty Haven Farm Inc.
- $2,000 USD - Alzheimer’s Charity (TBD)
- $2,000 USD - Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue
- $2,000 USD - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc.
- $1,650 USD - Fisher House Foundation Inc.
- $1,500 USD - National Multiple Sclerosis Society
"We are very appreciative of the MADC," stated Jason Settlemoir, Meadowlands COO/GM. "The club is a staple on our weekend cards, helping provide full fields, which in turn leads to strong wagering numbers.
"The Club’s donations are certainly going to help make a difference in our community."
The MADC's board, which includes Lee, Settlemoir, Jeff Gural (Chairman), Jim Slendorn (Vice President), Alex Figueras, David Glasser and Scott Warren determined the selected charities.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)