VERNON DOWNS AND ITS HORSEMEN TEAM UP FOR FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER

Goal is to raise more than $1,000 during races on Saturday, August 17

VERNON, NY – Vernon Downs and local horsemen are teaming up to race against hunger.

During the live harness races on Saturday night, at least 10 horsemen will donate portions of their driving fees to the Food Bank of Central New York.

The event follows another fundraiser in June when Vernon Downs raised more than $65,000 for the Food Bank of Central New York through proceeds from a Gretchen Wilson concert.

The Food Bank will also have a table set up at the racetrack to collect additional donations from guests.

The goal is to raise at least $1,000.

“I’ve been thinking about doing something like this for a few weeks,” said John Prescott, a Vernon Downs horseman and Chaplin with the Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association. “I wanted to get the drivers to contribute back to the community in a positive way. Mr. Gural has donated generously to the Food Bank so I thought it’d be great if we all could get together and do something good.”

Prescott hopes to make fundraisers like this one an annual tradition as a way for horsemen to give back to the community in which they live.

Live racing at Vernon Downs takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week. Races begin at 6:45 p.m. all three nights.