USHWA donates $1,000 to victims of South Florida Training Center fire
March 25, 2016,by Jerry Connors
Harrisburg, PA — The United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), the major trade group of harness racing communicators in North America and worldwide, will be making a $1,000 contribution towards the fund created to assist the people affected by the tragic fire of March 16 at the South Florida Training Center which claimed the lives of 12 horses, injured others and severely affected the lives of many owners and trainers stabled at the Center.
“USHWA hopes this donation, along with the other harness racing groups and individual horsemen contributing to the situation at the training center, will aid in trying to restore some sort of normalcy to those involved in this devastating situation,” stated USHWA President Tim Bojarski, who was elected when the group held its annual meetings in nearby Fort Lauderdale the first weekend of March.
“Owning a stable of my own, I am intimately aware of how overwhelming losing a horse in this (or any) manner can be. These animals are not only a livelihood, they are also family members and to have something like this happen is just heartbreaking. I, and the entire membership of USHWA, send out our thoughts and prayers to everyone who was affected and hope for a quick calm for them after this terrible storm.”
“Several USHWA members visited the South Florida Training Center the weekend of the organization’s annual meetings and many connected with the center either attended the Dan Patch Awards Banquet that Sunday or have supported USHWA when they have had a horse of their own honored in the past. As they have been supporters of USHWA, USHWA supports them in their time of need” said Bojarski.
Funding will be donated through the GoFundMe account (https://www.gofundme.com/SouthFLTrainingCtr) set up by announcer Michael Carter of the Post Time with Mike& Mike podcast. In the nine days since the creation of the account, over $42,000 has been raised to aid the plight of the South Florida horsemen.
- Twelve horses die in South Florida Training Center fire (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)
A barn fire has claimed the lives of approximately 12 horses at the South Florida Training Center early Wednesday morning (March 16). It has been reported that 23 horses were housed in the single barn that was engulfed in flames and that 11 have been rescued. Two have been taken to a local equine hospital in critical condition.
- Post Time with Mike and Mike sets up GoFund Me account to aid Florida fire victims (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)
Post Time with Mike and Mike has set up a GoFund Me account to help the horsemen and the training center victims of the Florida barn fire.
- Meadowlands and its horsemen to raise money for Florida fire victims (Thursday, March 17, 2016)
The Meadowlands and its horsemen are teaming up to raise money for the victims of a horrific barn fire in Florida earlier this week.
- USTA donates $5,000 to Florida fire victims (Friday, March 18, 2016)
U.S. Trotting Association President Phil Langley announced Friday (March 18) that the USTA will make a $5,000 donation to the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association to assist horsemen involved in the fire at the South Florida Trotting Center near Lake Worth on March 16.
- Four horses from SFTC barn fire released from hospital (Saturday, March 19, 2016)
Four of the horses rescued from the devastating barn fire at the South Florida Trotting Center have returned home.
- PHHA contributes $5,000 to Florida fire victims (Monday, March 21, 2016)
Sam Beegle, President of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, announced the organization will donate $5,000 to victims of the South Florida Trotting Center fire on March 16.
- Therapeutic laser donated to help burned horses (Monday, March 21, 2016)
All eleven of the horses rescued from the devastating barn fire last Wednesday at the South Florida Trotting Center will now be getting daily therapeutic laser treatments.
- Horsemens Unicorn Foundation donates $5,000 to Florida fire victims (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)
The Horsemens Unicorn Foundation is donating $5,000 to the Florida fire victims.
- Meadowlands to accept donations for Florida fire victims this weekend (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)
The Meadowlands and its horsemen will continue to accept donations and pledges for victims of a barn fire at the South Florida Trotting Center last week that killed 12 horses and injured 11 others.
- Indiana Standardbred Association donates $5,000 to Florida fire victims (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)
The Indiana Standardbred Association approved at their board meeting on March 21 a $5,000 contribution to be made to support the victims of the South Florida Trotting Center fire.