The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is committed to upholding the ideals of community service and support, both within thoroughbred racing and in the communities surrounding Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.
Among the industry-related groups receiving ongoing support from NYRA are the Belmont Child Care Association, which established Anna House, the on-site child care center at Belmont Park for the benefit of working families at the track, the Backstretch Employee Services Team (B.E.S.T), which provides a wide range of health and human services to workers in the barn areas of our three racetracks, and the Backstretch Education Fund, which provides educational opportunities for backstretch workers. NYRA also is a supporter of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Old Friends, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, and the Race for Education.
National organizations which receive support from NYRA include the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the American Red Cross, Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House, the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Toys for Tots.
In 2012, NYRA’s Director of Community Relations, Joanne Adams, received the “Champions for a Cure Award” and the “Woman of Excellence Award” from the Kidney and Urology Foundation. Adams also was appointed to serve as a member of the Advisory Board for the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island and she served as an Honorary Co-Chair for the 2012 Toys for Tots Campaign.
NYRA received the “White Knight Award” from Floral Park Memorial High School as recognition for providing practice field space at Belmont Park for the varsity soccer team.
NYRA was proud to host the Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer at Belmont Park, which raised more than $100,000 for the Integrated Medical Foundation. NYRA’s Fabulous Fillies Day at Saratoga Race Course raised $100,000 for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. NYRA supported local Hurricane Sandy relief efforts with a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross.
At Saratoga Race Course, NYRA offers the Community Outreach Booth, which provides local charities and organizations the opportunity to provide information about their mission and raise much-needed funds. NYRA also donates the Community Outreach Box in the clubhouse for the entire Saratoga season, which gives groups an additional opportunity to raise funds through charity auctions. At Belmont Park, NYRA hosts annual community days for Elmont, Floral Park, and Garden City.