The Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced the 2015 edition of ‘WEGCares,’ a celebration and recognition of the numerous Woodbine-supported community organizations and causes that contribute to the life, health, vibrancy and vitality of neighbourhoods.
Launching at the Woodbine Mile Post Position Draw on September 10, WEGCares will showcase special announcements, events and an online charity challenge. The 11-day campaign will culminate on September 20 with the annual Woodbine Turf Races, the popular fundraising event where WEG employees and their families, along with business partners, and community organizations, participate in a series of races, contested on the world-famous E.P. Taylor Turf Course, to raise money for United Way Toronto & York Region.
The goal of WEGCares is to amplify and spotlight the spirit that drives Woodbine Entertainment Group’s ‘Strong Community Partner’ program, a multi-faceted initiative that invests in organizations and programs whose mandate is in building healthy and prosperous communities, educating, engaging and empowering children and youth, protecting the welfare of racehorses, while preserving, promoting and celebrating diverse cultures and heritages, among others.
“We are extremely proud of our longstanding relationship with the people and organizations who work tirelessly and unselfishly to improve the quality of life within our communities,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment Group. “WEGCares embodies our commitment and support of the fantastic work being done by our coveted partners. We hope all fans and supporters join us throughout the 10 days to celebrate these wonderful causes and charities.”
As part of WEGCares celebrations, Woodbine will once again offer the popular ‘Charity Challenge’ event online at wegcares.ca. Through WEGCares Week, 17 of WEG’s cherished charitable and community partners will be profiled and spotlighted on the site. Racing fans and customers, along with charitable supporters, will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite cause. The charity that gets the most votes by September 18 will be awarded a $7,500 donation by Woodbine Entertainment Group. The cause that garners the second-most votes will receive $2,500.
Fans can take to social media for updates and to show their support by following @WEGCares, using the hashtag #WEGCares on Twitter throughout the campaign, or on Woodbine Racetrack’s Facebook page.
The Woodbine Entertainment Group has been a ‘Caring Company’ since 1997 and is a member of Imagine Canada, a national program that promotes public and corporate giving, volunteerism and support to the community.
A list of WEG’s campaign partners and charities appears below.
• Pathways to Education Rexdale (pathwaystoeducation.ca)
• Albion Neighbourhood Services (albionneighbourhoodservices.ca)
• Community MicroSkills Development Centre (microskills.ca)
• Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter (ernestines.ca)
• Rethink Breast Cancer (rethinkbreastcancer.com)
• Arts for Children & Youth (afcy.ca)
• Youth Without Shelter (yws.on.ca)
• Horizons for Youth (horizonsforyouth.org)
• Trust15 (trust15.com)
• Arts Etobicoke (artsetobicoke.com)
• Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (CARD) (card.ca)
• LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society (longrunretirement.com)
• Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (osas.ca)
• Racetrack Chaplaincy of Canada (racetrackchaplaincyofcanada.com)
• Standardbred Race Track Chaplaincy of Canada (srtchaplaincyofcanada.com)
• Halton Women’s Place (haltonwomensplace.com)
• Conservation Halton Foundation (conservationhalton.ca)
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