Ten New Jersey charitable organizations have been selected to compete in the Meadowlands Racetrack's Charity Handicapping Contest on Saturday, May 25.
The contest offers a $15,000 USD total donation/prize pool, with every charity receiving a donation. Prizes will be awarded as follows: 1st Place: $5,000 USD, 2nd Place: $3,000 USD, 3rd Place: $2,000 USD, 4th Place: $1,500 USD, 5th Place: $1,000 USD, 6th-10th: $500 USD.
The participating charities have different missions aimed at improving the lives of people and animals living in the Garden State. The participating charities are listed below.
- Pacing For The Cure (pacingforthecure.org) funds the purchase of medical equipment and services for those living with MS and the necessary research to find a cure.
- Act Now Foundation Inc. (actnowfoundation.org) raises awareness and educates communities about Alzheimer’s disease, prevention and early detection; to provide support, education, evaluations testing, long-term care planning, resources and advocacy in order to improve the quality of life for families living and struggling with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
- Bergen Volunteers (bergenvolunteers.org) works to provide human services and training programs to improve lives and strengthen communities.
- Freedom Horse Inc. (freedomhorseinc.com) incorporates the use of horses in therapy in several different ways, such as independent riding, assisted riding, touch therapy, care of equipment and animals.
- Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association (chha.net) is an outreach to the harness racing community. Many of the participants in the industry live a transient lifestyle moving between tracks, farms and training centers. The association tries to be present to support the people in their struggles, sharing their joys and encouraging them to make the most of their lives.
- The mission of North Jersey Friendship House (njfriendshiphouse.org) is to build the skills of individuals with varying abilities and developmental needs by providing, within a safe haven, comprehensive clinical treatment, vocational training and work opportunities in order to achieve meaningful and productive lives.
- New Vocations (newvocations.org) stands in the gap for non-competitive, often injured racehorses, providing a peaceful environment and skilled hands to assist in their transition to pleasure mounts and to place these horses in experienced, loving homes that will continue their education so each has a skill and therefore, a future.
- The mission at Fighting H.A.R.D. Foundation (fightinghardfoundation.org) is to help children with rare diseases and chronic illnesses to not feel alone. The foundation also helps to raise awareness for rare diseases (they are not so rare!) and offer financial assistance, dinners, fun nights out and so much more to these wonderful and very special kids.
- Horse Rescue United (horserescueunited.org) is a New Jersey-based rescue that saves horses (and sometimes other animals!) of all breeds from abandonment, abuse, neglect and slaughter. The organization specializes in retraining and rehoming Standardbreds.
- Special Strides (specialstrides.com) is a 26-year-old non-profit organization devoted to improving the lives of individuals with special needs. With a unique combination of therapy, horses and the natural environment, individuals achieve goals appropriate for therapy, recreation and education.
For the Charity Handicapping Contest, organizations will select one horse in each of the 10 designated Meadowlands live races. The organizations will amass a mythical bankroll if their selection officially finishes first, second or third in the designated race. Official $2 WPS (Win, Place, Show) payoffs will be added to the mythical bankroll. Official race results will serve as the order of finish. The organization that accumulates the highest mythical bankroll is the winner.
The participating organizations are encouraged to make it a night at the races for their volunteers and employees. Each organization will also have the opportunity to make winner’s circle presentations and be featured on the track’s jumbotron.
Charity events continue at the track with the annual 2024 Broadcasters Derby on Friday, May 31.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)