On May 13, the Meadowlands Racetrack will host the Meadowlands Charity Handicapping Contest. The goal of the event is to raise money for participating charities that benefit the people and animals of New Jersey. Ten New Jersey charities will compete for a $15,000 prize pool with the guarantee that each charity will walk away with a donation. First place will receive the grand prize of $5,000 with second place taking home $3,000, third place will receive $2,000, fourth place will receive $1,500, with fifth place receiving $1,000. Sixth through tenth place will all receive a donation of $500.
“This is one of our feel good promotions,” said Jason Settlemoir, COO and GM of Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. “It not only brings new people out to experience and bet at the racetrack, it also helps to support and advance our community.”
Each charity will select one horse from each of the 10 live races that will occur. Then, the organizations will have a fictitious bankroll if their picks places in the top three of the respective races. $2 Win, Place, Show payoffs will be added to the mythical bankroll. The charity with the highest bankroll, after all ten races, will be deemed the winner. Each organization will have the opportunity to have a winner’s circle presentation and be presented on the jumbotron. Here are some of the charities participating:
200 Club of Bergen County works to support and enrich the families of first responders such as law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel should they become injured or in the event of their death. They provide scholarships and assistance to numerous agencies that protect the Bergen County area. To learn more about 200 Club of Bergen County, click here.
Team Velvet Inc., an organization that provides equestrian mental health services to children, will also be participating. The organization works with children who have experienced trauma and aids them through horsemanship and stewardship. Their goal is to provide these services to children while raising awareness about childhood trauma. To learn more about Team Velvet, click here.
Act Now Foundation works to raise awareness and provide education about Alzheimer’s disease. The organization provides education about prevention, early detection, testing, long-term care planning, resources, and advocacy. Act Now Foundation works with families and individuals to improve the quality of life of those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. To learn more about Act Now Foundation, click here.
Round 2 Resources (R2R) is a non-profit aimed at protecting the environment. R2R uses donations to directly create an impact in the environment. Some of their initiatives include providing resources and working to prevent usable and recyclable goods from going to landfills. Donations they receive directly go towards an item on their Community Wish List, creating a direct impact from an individual’s donation. To learn more about Round 2 Resources, click here.
The Travis Mill Foundation works with post-9/11 veterans and their families. The foundation provides programs to help provide rest and relaxation to the veterans and their families while helping them overcome physical and emotional obstacles. To learn more about the Travis Mill Foundation, click here.
The Helping Horseshoe Therapeutic Riding Club provides fun and educational equine-assisted activities to individuals of all ages with disabilities and special needs. They also help horses have a second career when otherwise they would enter the unwanted horse population. To learn more about the Helping Horseshoe Therapeutic Riding Club, click here.
Community Treasures of Jersey City gives out free clothes, commodities, food items, household goods, resources and more to those in need without any questions asked. The organization works as a liaison and re and re and resource for Jersey City’s low-income undocumented residents in addition to those with emergency needs. To learn more about Community Treasures of Jersey City, click here.
The Fighting H.A.R.D. Foundation helps children who have rare and chronic diseases not to feel alone and have someone by their side. The foundation sends care packages, purchases medical supplies otherwise not covered by insurance, assists with travel costs to specialists and more. The foundation also hosts gatherings and raises awareness about rare diseases. To learn more about Fighting H.A.R.D. Foundation, click here.
Trot-Trot is an organization that works to educate the public on retraining and providing second careers to off-track standardbred horses. The organization works with the racing industry to find safe homes and rehabs for retired racehorses. To learn more about Trot-Trot, click here.
The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton works with young people to become productive, responsible, caring members of society. They promote academic success, healthy lifestyles and character development through adult mentorship. To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, click here.
For more information on upcoming Meadowlands Racetrack events, click here.