Popular ‘Starlight-Starbright’ program returning in March
to Fair Grounds
Debuting at the February Starlight Racing event, Fair
Grounds’ new community involvement program, “Starlight-Starbright,” proved a
popular initiative with local groups and is offered again for the March 14
Starlight Racing program, which will feature The Mixed Nuts in the clubhouse and
DJ Kemistry in the Miller Time Beer Garden (guests must be 21 years old to enter
the Miller Time Beer Garden). First post is 5 p.m. (EST).
“Starlight-Starbright” is a program that allows non-profit
and for-profit entities to raise funds for their own charitable organization or
for one that their company supports in its efforts to touch the community by
receiving an admission rebate equal to 50 percent of the admission cost ($5 per
person). Groups may pre-sell or direct their membership and supporters to
purchase tickets to the designated Starlight event though the Fair Grounds online
ticketing system.
“The genesis of the Starlight-Starbright Program derived
from the success of the annual Young Leadership Council (YLC) partnership which
provides YLC with a means to rally membership to raise funds for their
organization, as well as generating both interest and exposure to racing for
young professionals. We are excited that initial response to the effort has been
so well received,” explained Mark A. Conner, senior director of marketing.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the initial event in
February was the St. Benilde Men’s Club.
“We were drawn to the ‘Starlight-Starbright’ program as an
opportunity to raise money while creating a fun social event for the whole
family,” St. Benilde’s Social Director Lucas Gallioto said. “The many forms of
entertainment offered at Fair Grounds allowed people of all ages to come out and
support our organization. We had between 15-20 kids come out and they had a
blast dancing to The Topcats in the clubhouse, and the money we raised with this
event will pay one-third of the cost of uniforms for boys and girls sports
programs, and that is fabulous. We will be making this an annual social event.”
Additional groups are lining up in advance of the March
“Starlight-Starbright” fundraising opportunity, including the
United Fire Fighters
Association, a group whose mission is to “enrich the lives of all first
responders by helping those who serve the community unselfishly have a balance
within their lives between work and family through social activities and
camaraderie.” The United Fire Fighters Association may can be supported on its
Facebook page.
Caps For Kids
also plans on participating in the March “Starlight-Starbright” event. Caps For
Kids is a charity that provides baseball caps autographed by athletes,
celebrities, and entertainers, to children diagnosed with cancer.
The group’s
mission explains their goal: “To a child who has lost their hair due to the
chemotherapy treatments, the caps help them establish a special bond with their
caregiver/physician and their celebrity hero. We have found that many of the
children garner strength from the autographed caps, and they feel as though
their celebrity hero is right there with them fighting the battle against their
illness.”
“Caps For Kids is delighted to partner with the Fair
Grounds for their upcoming ‘Starlight-Starbright’ event,” said Ellen Kempner,
Caps For Kids board president. “This opportunity allows us to raise additional
funds and continue to work towards our goal of putting a celebrity signed ball
cap on the head of every child throughout the country who has lost their hair
due to cancer treatment. We encourage everyone to participate and join us on
this fun evening. Hats off to the Fair Grounds for their generosity and
support.”
Companies may register as an official
“Starlight-Starbright” beneficiary by downloading the official information and
registration form from
fairgroundsracecourse.com and emailing it to
lindsay.boihem@fgno.com or
mark.conner@fgno.com. Additional information, including clubhouse
reservations during fund raising, is available by calling the property
reservations line at 504-943-2200.
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