NYRA announces Community Outreach Booth lineup for 2017 season at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna and Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. will host nearly 40 local and regional non-profit organizations at Saratoga Race Course during the upcoming season, which begins on Friday, July 21 and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. 

 The non-profit organizations will be welcomed to the Community Outreach Booth, which is located next to the Jockey Silks Room and across from the Saratoga Walk of Fame. The Community Outreach Booth provides one non-profit organization per day with an exclusive opportunity to interact with the thousands of guests who visit Saratoga Race Course, share information about its work and host fundraising initiatives, which will include autograph sessions, musical performances, arts and crafts, and other activities.

“The New York Racing Association is proud to provide these local non-profit organizations with an opportunity to interact with new audiences that might not otherwise know of the noble efforts in which each of these non-profit organizations engage," said NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay. “We are pleased to assist them in their fundraising efforts and in building greater awareness and a stronger community.”

“Saratoga WarHorse is excited to reach fans at Saratoga Race Course this season through the Community Outreach Booth. This opportunity allows us to educate the public about our program while continuing to gain support, both locally and nationally,” said Saratoga WarHorse Foundation Executive Director Susan Rhoades. “It is because of opportunities like this that we continue to gain momentum and reach significant milestones, including the recent graduation of our 700th veteran from the program.”

A staple of the 2017 schedule will occur on the eve of the Travers, Friday, August 25, when the Saratoga Economic Opportunity Council holds its annual canned food drive at the Community Outreach Booth. 

“All of us at the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council are thrilled to once again return to Saratoga Race Course for an important initiative that benefits so many individuals within our community. The fans at Saratoga are always generous and we thank them for their continued support of our efforts,” said Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council Executive Director Jo Anne Hume. “We sincerely thank the New York Racing Association for this opportunity to share our mission and promote our efforts with the thousands of racing fans who will be at the Spa on Travers Eve.”

  The following non-profit organizations are scheduled to appear at the Community Outreach Booth at Saratoga Race Course during the 2017 season:

• Friday, July 21: Rerun Thoroughbred Adoption  

• Saturday, July 22: The Wesley Community

• Sunday, July 23: Veterans Community Housing Coalition

• Monday, July 24: Saratoga Regional YMCA

• Wednesday, July 26: Jewish War Veterans Post 36 Saratoga Springs    

• Thursday, July 27: Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation

• Friday, July 28: North Country Wild Care

• Saturday, July 29: Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund

• Sunday, July 30: Saratoga WarHorse Foundation

• Monday, July 31: American Cancer Society

• Wednesday, August 2: K9s for Warriors

• Thursday, August 3: Gallop NYC

• Friday, August 4:     Hope Soars                

• Saturday, August 5: Christie’s Heartoberfest  

• Sunday, August 6: Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance                     

• Monday, August 7: Friends of Moreau Lake State Park

• Wednesday, August 9: Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation 

• Thursday, August 10: Floyd Warriors

• Friday, August 11: Saratoga Bridges                   

• Saturday, August 12: Saratoga Springs Figure Skating Club                

• Sunday, August 13: The Joseph Ahmed Foundation                  

• Monday, August 14: Shenendehowa Nordic Club

• Wednesday, August 16: Capital District New York Synchronized Skating 

• Thursday, August 17: Saratoga Foundation for Innovative Learning 

• Friday, August 18: National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame

• Saturday, August 19: The Lustgarten Foundation                

• Sunday, August 20: Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region 

• Monday, August 21: Saratoga Network 

• Wednesday, August 23: Albany Police Athletic League 

• Thursday, August 24: Saratoga Automobile Museum

• Friday, August 25: Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council

• Saturday, August 26: Backstretch Employee Service Team

• Sunday, August 27: Center for Disability Services 

• Monday, August 28: Troy Boys & Girls Club 

• Wednesday, August 30: Living Resources

• Thursday, August 31: Habitat for Humanity

• Friday, September 1: National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame

• Saturday, September 2: Capital Region Toys for Tots Foundation

• Sunday, September 3: Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region

• Monday, September 4: Cohoes Connect Center for Youth  

 The 2017 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course begins on Friday, July 21 and concludes on Labor Day, Monday, September 4.