Nichols, NY — After the tragic arson incident recently at Tioga Downs, Jeff Schaefer, president of the Southern Tier Amateur Club (STAC), which races at that track, has announced that the club will be joining the parade of donors with a $5,000 contribution to the cause.

In making the announcement, Schaefer said, “This is our home track — our ‘homeland,’ so-to-speak — and many of the horsemen and women who have been affected by this tragedy are members of the club and entered their horses for competition for charitable purposes.

“It’s ironic that we have to help our horsemen’s own cause but, since the club’s inception, we have been dedicated to help others outside our industry but now, when something like this hits so close to home — in fact, right at our doorstep — we want to help those affected in our amateur family as well.”

A total of $5,000 will be distributed to those affected by this tragedy.

Schaefer continued, “Lee Morris lost everything in this fire — his horses, his equipment — but we want to make sure that he doesn’t lose hope for the future and this donation, hopefully, will be the first stride back.

“Kevin Reynolds, Allison Kolesar and Dan Harvey, who always supported our club with entries, also were hurt significantly by the fire, as was Edgar ‘Sparky’ Clarke, who was heroic in trying to combat the flames and suffered second degree burns in the process.

“We pray for them all!”