The FTHA, in cooperation with the Backstretch Chaplaincy, treated over 500 individuals to festive BBQ nights earlier this week at both Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows Training Center. Executive Director Herb Oster along with Pastor Tom and his assistant Guillermo Fernandez hosted the events, where they had a professional photographer there to record the fun. Some 500 dinners were served and there were prizes galore. 50 bicycles were raffled off as well as 20 televisions and 20 microwave ovens. The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation donated cash and t-shirts to the events and the Louisiana HBPA contributed a $2,000 donation in the name of our late friend Lou Smith. A thank you goes out to all of the volunteers, among them Board member Jeff Sisken, who assisted and helped to make the events a huge success. These events as well as organized trips to water parks, and recently to see the shows at Cirque du Soliel are ways we show our appreciation to the workers and their families.
The Florida horsemen have long prided themselves in their efforts to aid and assist the hundreds of tireless backstretch employees that help keep the racing machinery going. Benevolence has and will remain on the forefront of the FTHA’S focus.