by Susan Higgins, Director of Marketing, Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Scarborough Downs will be donating to children and horses in need this holiday season.

Starting this weekend, the track will be collecting toys for the Salvation Army’s toy shop. Customers who bring in a new, unwrapped toy will receive a free race program through Dec. 16. Drop boxes will be available at all program locations in the Grandstand and Clubhouse buildings.

In addition, handmade, fresh Christmas wreaths will be sold in the Grandstand beginning Friday (Dec. 7), with proceeds going to the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Maine’s Ambassador Horse Program. The SPHO is a non-profit organization that retrains retired Standardbreds for their second career as riding horses. The wreaths, made by the family of horseman Justin Merton of New Hampshire, will sell for $21 (large) and $12 (small), with half of the monies going to the horses.

The Maine Amateur Driving Club is also in the spirit of giving. The driver’s share of the purse monies from the club’s next two races (to be held on Dec. 7 and Dec. 15) will go to the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund of Portland. The Club has dedicated the bulk of their 2012 purse earnings to the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, a Windham, Maine-based equine rescue organization.

Scarborough Downs’ 2012 live racing schedule continues through Dec. 23, with live harness racing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday (with the exception of Friday, Dec. 14). Post time is 12:05 p.m. Closing day, Dec. 23, will feature the seventh annual Standardbred retirement ceremony, where eight 14-year-old Standardbred racehorses will be honored.