by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga/Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — American Racing and Entertainment has announced that their donation totals between Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs in 2010 amounted to more than $76,000 and reached more than 50 charities.

In the month of August, fans at Tioga Downs donated more than $3,300 to both the Chloe Mulchahy benefit and Aliesya Abrams benefit, which Tioga Downs matched dollar for dollar to both charities, as well as Chairman Jeff Gural, who personally matched the contribution, and the Children’s Starlight Foundation of New York City.

Some of the other charities that American Racing and Entertainment donated to in 2010 included the Ohio Harness Horsemen to help in the Lebanon fire relief; Sullivan Chapter of the Red Cross to help with aid in the Haiti disaster; and The Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

The Tioga Downs employees showed their generosity with the Tioga County United Way Campaign in November and donated more than $8,000, which was matched by Tioga Downs, and Jeff Gural personally donated $5,000 to bring the grand total to more than $21,000.

One of the marquee events of the year for Tioga Downs is the Drivers’ Championship which also helps raise money for charity. Jason Bartlett, Brian Sears, Dave Palone, Yannick Gingras, John Campbell, Bruce Ranger, and Tim Tetrick each gladly donated their five percent earnings in the competition to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, which Tioga Downs matched, while Ron Pierce and George Brennan donated theirs to a charity of their choosing, which Tioga also matched.

“We are very thankful to the communities that support us, and this is a way that Tioga and Vernon are able to give back and help these wonderful local charities out in a time of need,” said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast. “We would also like to thank our customers who donated their money and canned food items to many of the local charities this year; without your help much of this would not be possible.”

For more information visit www.tiogadowns.com or www.vernondowns.com.