from the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association

Washington, PA — The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association hosted the third annual College Games for Charity at The Meadows on Saturday (April 9).

Chris Gooden photo

College Games for Charity participants gathered in the winner’s circle.

Ten teams of five students each, representing various groups from nearby Washington & Jefferson College, took part in the games, which featured events such as harness racing handicapping, bowling, basketball and an obstacle course.

More than $3,000 was divided up among the top five teams for their respective charities, including winners Bicca 455, earning $1,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Keystone Chapter. The team members were competing in honor of a classmate’s mother who is battling MS.

Daniel Lis, a student at W&J that helped to organize the teams and member of the Bicca 455 team, said, “We are a close group of friends and we wanted to win for our charity, MS Society Keystone Chapter, and donate to help them in any way needed with funds we won.”

Lis was also instrumental in finding additional sponsors to join the MSOA for the event.

“I am interning for a local association management firm called Tikes, Inc., which works with various groups in Pittsburgh and makes donations to great causes. My boss, Kelly Szejko, helped us to receive donations from the Association for Corporate Growth and the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association, which were added to the MSOA’s generous donation.”

All participants were given two free tickets to see the local professional baseball team, the Washington Wild Things, on May 26. The students’ charities will be honored that night and the College Games competitors will be recognized.

“This event continues to grow every year,” said MSOA President Rich Gillock. “It’s always great to have so many younger people enjoy the races, and to be able to tie it in with so many local charities makes it even better. I can’t thank all of the volunteers enough that helped. We are proud to host the College Games and look forward to next year’s event.”