Galloping Out Event Raises $72,000
By Mike Porcaro
Midwest Thoroughbred
“Let me begin by saying ‘thank you’ to everyone who worked so hard to make the Galloping Out Fundraiser a huge success,” Nate Ruffolo, Chairman, ITHA Equine Welfare Committee, told Midwest Thoroughbred (www.mwtmag.com) in an interview regarding the June 25 event for the Galloping Out Thoroughbred Rescue Fund program.
“I am very pleased to tell you that the event raised $72,000 for our retired horses,” Ruffolo said, an astonishing amount of money during a time when many not-for-profit organizations are struggling for donations.
A cooperative effort between the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (ITHA), Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course, the program is an effort to “keep our equine friends safe and productive,” according to Ruffolo. “Our mission is to retrain Illinois race horses for a new home and rewarding life,” said Ruffolo.
Nearly 250 people gathered in the Arlington Park paddock area after the final race on Prairie State Festival Day with attendees enjoying cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres, entertainment and a silent auction.
Ruffolo said that $33,000 of the $72,000 raised came from commissions that the ITHA and Arlington Park donated to the event. “ITHA and Arlington Park really stepped up to help by donating their proceeds of the race to program,” said Ruffolo. “We are most grateful for their generosity,” he said.
The silent auction raised $19,000. “About 150 items were up for auction and attendees enjoyed bidding on a wide variety of items from bottles of wine to tickets to sporting events,” Ruffolo said.
“A big part of our financial support came from the sponsors of six of the races featured on ‘Festival Day’,” Ruffolo said. We want to say ‘thank you’ to these fine folks.” Other donations were from sales of Galloping Out t-shirt sales and sales of tickets to the event.
“A good time was had by everyone who attended, and we very much appreciate it. Of course, the real winners are the equine athletes who will prosper from the generosity of those supporting Galloping Out,” said Ruffolo.
“All in all,” Ruffolo said, “It was a great day of racing and a fun day for the people came out to support us. The event was the perfect ending to a perfect day.”
Nate Ruffolo would like to say “THANK YOU” to the following people who were instrumental in planning the Galloping Out Thoroughbred Rescue Fund Event:
Sponsors
Frank Mancari,Mancari’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Oak Lawn, Ill
Jim Schultz, Schultz Supply, Cicero, Ill
Irv Narditch, Royal Industries, Chicago, Ill
Jeff Sullivan, Sullivan Buick Buick GMC, Arlington Heights, Ill
Marty Nixon, Norman Mechanical Inc., Rolling Meadows, Ill
Jackie King, Indian Hills Thoroughbred Farm, Edwardsville, Ill
Meryl Squires-Cannon, Merix Pharmaceutical Corp., Barrington, Ill; Royalty Properties LLC, Barrington, Ill; Royalty Farm, Barrington, Illl
Galloping Out Committee
Angie Cristel Jan Ely Katy Schuler
Glen Berman Jan Piciuich Mary Stout
Donna Bliss Tony Petrillo Meryl Squires-Cannon
Michele Boyce Dee Poulos Stuart Wolf
Janice Campbell Judy Cristel Roxy Tanner
Jennifer McCutcheon Ryan Repp
Galloping Out Board of Directors
Nate Ruffolo, President
Chris Block, Director
Steve Holland, Director
Dr. Don Liechty, Director
Jan Ely, Director
Michelle Boyce, Director
Neil Pessin, Director
Michael B. Campbell, Ex-Officio
Mary Stout, Secretary