Evangeline to Donate 100% of Revenue Sunday Night

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino will donate 100% of its revenue from its Sept. 4 racing program to the Acadiana Chapter of the Red Cross Relief Fund to assist those impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

The Opelousas, La., racetrack is hosting a special night of Thoroughbred and Quarter Racing with first post time at 6:45 p.m. CDT.

"It's a night when our entire racing industry will unite to help our fellow Louisianians who are suffering from this horrific event," Mike Howard, general manager at Evangeline Downs, said in a release. "People have been asking us what they can do to help these victims. This event gives racing fans from all over Acadiana and the United States an opportunity to help."

Hurricane Katrina devastated southeastern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. In Washington, D.C., the Department of Homeland Security assumed control of the federal response to the disaster, and department Secretary Michael Chertoff declared the devastation an "incident of national significance."

"New Orleans is home to (Fair Grounds), one of the oldest racetracks in the U.S.," Howard said. "Our racing family spends nearly half the year there, and our family does its best to take care of one another."

The benefit goes nationwide through the Evangeline Downs simulcast network. "Everyone who bets on our races Sunday night will be making a contribution to the relief effort," Howard said. "This is a time for the whole family to help out. We know that people will turn out. No bet will be too small or too large."