Jockeys Visit the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island

NYRA was proud to work with the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island to coordinate the Annual Jockey Visit. 2011 marks the 25th Anniversary of Ronald McDonald House of Long Island and NYRA Director of Community Relations, Joanne K. Adams, is a member of the 25th Anniversary Gala committee.

Belmont Jockeys, Including Dominguez and Velazquez, to Visit Ronald McDonald House

On Thursday, June 9, more than a half-dozen jockeys from Belmont Park will ride into the hearts of families at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island as part of the annual Jockey Day event.

Two days before the 143rd running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes, Janet Baeza, Ryan Curatolo, Ramon Dominguez, Alan Garcia, Maylan Studart, and John Velazquez, among others, will travel to the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park at 10:30 a.m. to mingle with children at the House. Clad in their colorful silks, the riders will pose for photographs and distribute gifts of personally autographed riding goggles and hats.

“This is a great event for our children and their families,” said Ronald McDonald House of Long Island Executive Director Matthew Campo. “Meeting the jockeys is always a wonderful time for everyone. We wish them the best of luck on Saturday.”

Dominguez and Velazquez will have mounts in this year’s Belmont, with Dominguez riding Mucho Macho Man and Velazquez riding Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. Velazquez won the 2007 race with the filly Rags to Riches, the first female to win the Belmont in 102 years.

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It is a ‘home-away-from home’ for families who are caring for seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment in area hospitals. Located on the campus of the Cohen Children’s Medical Center, the House accommodates families in a warm and supportive environment. Since opening in 1986, approximately 13,000 families from the United States and more than 80 countries around the world have been served. Many of the families are from Queens, Suffolk and Nassau Counties, as well as the surrounding metropolitan area.

Exciting Times At Anna House

On Friday June 10th The Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA) is throwing open its doors for the grand opening of its two new classrooms; the expansion will permit Anna House to increase its enrollment from 50 students to 70 students. Materials and labor for the expansion were donated by Michael Dubb, a residential real estate developer, chairman of BCCA’s board, and top NYRA owner in 2010. A ribbon cutting and cocktail reception will be held on Friday, June 10th from 6:00-7:30 pm at Anna House, on the Belmont backstretch.

The children aren't the only ones getting bigger at Anna House,

So is our building! Please come help us celebrate the expansion of Anna House so that we can serve even more children in the backstretch community.

MICHAEL DUBB

THE BOARD of DIRECTORS of

THE BELMONT CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION and

CHARLES HAYWARD, President and CEO of NYRA and

EDWARD P. MANGANO, Nassau County Executive

CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO THE RIBBON CUTTING of

THE TWO BRAND NEW CLASSROOMS at

ANNA HOUSE, Friday, June 10, 2011, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm, Belmont Park, Gate 6

Elmont, NY (516) 488-2103. Cocktail Reception,

Reception sponsored by The New York Racing Association

About the Belmont Child Care Association

The Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA) is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1998. The BCCA has established Anna House, an on site childcare center for the benefit of working families at New York area racetracks, and to providing scholarship funds to those unable to afford the cost of care. Its volunteer board represents the broad-based industry support BCCA enjoys. For additional information, please visit: www.belmontchildcare.org.

NYRA and Elmont Host the 2011 Belmont Stakes Parade and Community Day

The 2011 Belmont Stakes parade was a grand success! Over 600 parade participants represented numerous organizations in Elmont as they celebrated the upcoming 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes. NYRA President and CEO, Charles Hayward, marched alongside former jockey and NYRA TV Analyst, Richard Migliore. Sam the Bugler, the NYRA starting gate, the NYRA tram as well as State and Local Officials lead the parade to Belmont Park where Elmont residents enjoyed Community Day, courtesy of NYRA. The Elmont Chamber of Commerce sold the trophy presentations on the day which highlighted local businesses. Over 800 residents enjoyed a lovely afternoon at beautiful Belmont Park.

NYRA Welcomes the Five Star Diamond Awards to Belmont Park

On May 30th, Memorial Day, NYRA was proud to welcome Joseph Cinque, President and CEO of the Five Star Diamond Awards. Mr. Cinque presented the trophy for the Grade1 Metropolitan (Met Mile).

2011 Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration

Tickets are now available to the 2011 Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration at The New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman Building with proceeds benefiting the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Backstretch Employee Services Team. Click Here to purchase tickets or donate.

https://www.tjcis.com/grayson/BelEventTickets.asp

NYRA President and CEO, Charles E. Hayward, Speaks at Elmont Summit on Economic Development

On May 5th, the Elmont Chamber of Commerce hosted The Elmont Summit on Economic Development at the Elmont Public Library. NYRA President and CEO, Charles E. Hayward, was invited to participate in the roundtable discussion which focused on economic development in Elmont. Patrick Kehoe, NYRA Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Joanne Adams, NYRA Director of Community Relations, were in attendance.