For the 32nd consecutive year, the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association has again made a donation to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame.
Organization representatives presented a $3,000 cheque to both Museum President Larry Devan and Museum Director Janet Terhune prior to the ceremonies at the Hall of Fame Banquet on the lawn of the museum in Goshen, New York on July 5.
Last November at a Historic Track Board of Directors Meeting, the Monticello-Goshen Chapter also donated $3,000 to that National Historic Landmark. And earlier this year, the chapter made a $500 donation to the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame.
Since the 1980s, the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of USHWA has donated tens of thousands of dollars to Goshen Historic Track and the Harness Racing Museum. Money for the donations is made possible from successful chapter banquets and the continued support of the chapter’s charity journals.
“We thank all those who participate in our annual awards banquet and charity journal and we are very fortunate to be able to raise the money...and when we do...it is our pleasure to donate the profits back to the industry; especially to Historic Track and to the Harness Racing Museum Track, which are not only in our own back yard but very dear to the hearts of everyone in harness racing,” noted Chris Tully, USHWA National President as well as the president of the Monticello-Goshen Chapter.
Monticello-Goshen USHWA vice president and USHWA National first VP, Shawn Wiles, added, “Goshen is to harness racing what Cooperstown is to baseball.”
Prior to annual donations to the Hall and Historic Track, the Monticello-Goshen Chapter used to support a college scholarship but it was decided long ago that when the organization donates money it would be in everyone’s best interest to support the harness racing industry.
On Sunday evening, November 22, the chapter will hold its 57th Annual Awards Banquet at The Fountains on Sands Road in Middletown, New York.
(With files from USHWA)