(Edited press release)
Although ReRun is best known for helping Thoroughbred racehorses, the 10-year-old non-profit group has organized a fundraiser that will benefit both horses and the people that care for them at Philadelphia Park.
"After speaking with Chaplain Jack Cordell, ReRun has decided to earmark 50% of its donations from a special March fundraiser at the track to the special needs of the people who live on the backstretch," said executive director Barbara Luna. "Although we take in almost 30 horses a year into our program, we felt it was time to give something back to people who spend their lives caring for racehorses during their competitive years, especially when many of these people have so little of their own."
Weekends in March have been designated as "Help Those Who Help Our Horses" days when ReRun representatives will set up near the backstretch kitchen and upstairs in the horsemen's area on the frontside. Donations will be collected and at the end of the month will be presented to the chaplain to use for workers' transportation to health care facilities and doctors.
ReRun has satellite farms in New York, New Jersey and Kentucky, but takes in horses from any racetrack. With a 2007 goal of doubling the number of horses accepted into the program, the organization has scheduled several fundraisers throughout the summer and fall, including a coach driving event and all-Thoroughbred horse show in New Jersey.
"We also mail out two newsletters a year and continue to seek sponsorships from breeders and owners," said Luna. "We encourage breeders to take part in our 'stickers' program, which enables them to affix a label onto their horses' foal papers giving a name and phone number to be contacted if the horse is ever in need of a home after it is retired.
"Owners can help by donating a percentage of purse money earned by one or more of their horses to ReRun for one race or every race," said Luna. "That is our Running for ReRun program. On our 'wish list' is to find that Classic contender who would run for our cause."
To help support ReRun and the "Help Those Who Help Our Horses" fund, visit www.rerun.org.
