by Regina Mayhugh, communications director, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association

Columbus, OH — Ten charities will join the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association for dinner and the races at Scioto Downs Racino capped off by the highlight of the night, the signature Charity Race. The event will take place on Thursday (Aug. 20) from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

In the Charity Race, each participating charity will be coupled with a horse and driver combination via random draw for that race. Based on where the horse finishes, the charities will receive a donation as follows: $5,000 to the charity with the winning horse (first place); $2,500 for second place; $1,200 for third place; $800 for fourth place and $500 each for those horses finishing fifth through tenth place.

The charity representatives will be interviewed throughout the evening, giving racing fans an opportunity to gain a better understanding of each philanthropic organization. Many will also have a table set up for their individual charities providing information and inviting racing fans to visit with them throughout the evening.

The ten charities represented for the third annual Charity Race Night are: ALS Association, Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Central Ohio Parkinson’s Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Central Ohio, Ronald McDonald House, 4-H Youth Development Organization.

Last year’s event was a fun filled evening for all. Tim McCarthy, VP of Relations for Big Brothers Big Sisters, states “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio is excited to be a chosen partner again this year for the ‘OHHA Charity Night at Scioto Downs.’ What a great way to give back to the community. Big Brothers Big Sisters had a great experience with this fun and entertaining event. Such a great opportunity for us to promote what we do in central Ohio. They can put on a show and really help the charities they partner with while promoting the sport and their community partners.”

The OHHA Charity Race Night is being presented by the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association in conjunction with Scioto Downs Racino. Charity Race Night is an outreach event to give back to the community that supports harness racing in central Ohio. For more information, contact the OHHA at 800.353.6442 or 614.221.3650 or Scioto Downs Racino at 614.295.4082.