Harrisburg, PA — After the devastating loss of horseflesh and livelihood suffered this past Thursday after a barn fire at Tioga Downs in southcentral New York took the lives of 30 animals (including three yearlings and seven 2- and 3-year-olds, just starting on their careers), the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) opens its minds and hearts to those affected by the horrible situation and is making a $10,000 donation to the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association, designed to reach those directly affected by the senseless tragedy to start to rebuild their lives.

USHWA has a Welfare Committee, chaired by Treasurer Bill MacDonald and consisting of the president of each of the USHWA chapters, which usually reviews requests for aid by those touched by hardship. In this case, the loss was tremendous and obvious, and USHWA immediately initiated the poll within its Welfare Committee and executive members.

“The membership of USHWA is devastated by the events taking place at Tioga,” said USHWA President Barry Lefkowitz. “We stand behind the horsemen affected by this horrific incident and are trying to help them to make some headway into the incalculable damage as they try to bring some part of normalcy back to their lives, working with the horses they love so much.”