from Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will host a special veterans’ appreciation event on Thursday (Oct. 26) as a part of the 2017 Breeders Crown festivities. The event, Crowning Our Heroes, will include all-day specials for veterans and active service members, an exhibition charity race, and a special presentation by Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch.

Crouch will welcome Hoosier Park’s four official veterans organizations — Helping Hands for Heroes, Wish for Our Heroes, Blue Star Mothers, and Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation — and deliver a Breeders Crown commencement presentation from the winner’s circle, after the second race of the evening.

Additionally, Crowning Our Heroes will honor veterans and active service members with $10 in free slot play and $5 buffets all day with official military identification. Hoosier Park guests may donate $10 to Hoosier Park’s Crowning Our Heroes official charities and receive a chance to spin a wheel with a top prize of $1,000.

All four veterans organizations will also participate in a charity exhibition race at 6:20 p.m. and receive a $500 MegaBet to be used on their charity’s named race. The organizations are guaranteed to win a minimum of $500. The first live race of the evening begins at 6:30 p.m.

“We’re honored to have Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch join us as we officially kick off Breeders Crown weekend at Hoosier Park,” said Rick Moore, Hoosier Park’s vice president and general manager of racing. “We’re also recognizing four very important veterans organizations and active service men and women as a part of Breeders Crown week. We’re grateful for the sacrifice they make for our country each and every day, and this day is dedicated to their service.”

Helping Hands for Heroes is a nationwide organization of caring health care professionals who have donated their time and skills to provide therapeutic bodywork to help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and provide life balance for our nation’s veterans. More information about Helping Hands for Heroes can be found by visiting www.handsforheroes.net.

Wish for Our Heroes is dedicated to supporting active military to help make their deployment easier by assisting with the quality of their family’s lives by helping with basic needs or emergency care. To donate, grant a wish, or purchase licensed apparel, visit www.wishforourheroes.org/.

Blue Star Mothers are a group of mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers, and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard, or reserves, or children who are veterans. The organization’s mission is to provide care packages to our troops and support each other as mothers. The group also provides an extensive library of resources to assist veterans with integrating back into civilian life. To find out more about the Indiana chapter visit www.indybluestarmothers.com.

Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation provides housing and reintegration services to veterans experiencing homelessness, and administers programs and services to prevent at risk veterans from becoming homeless. For information on HVAF of Indiana visit www.hvafofindiana.org/.

More information on the 34th edition of the Breeders Crown held at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino can be found at www.hoosierpark.com/racing/2017breederscrown/.