Night at the Races 2021
Postponed for the safety of our friends (and horses!)
The odds are in! Lighthouse of Pinellas is betting on the return of Night at the Races in 2022. We are working diligently to recreate an in-person downs experience that allows us to gather for an exciting night of FUNraising ‘round the track. Thank you to the sponsors, guests, horse owners and volunteers for your constant support!
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This special event is hosted to fund critical programs like Early Childhood Intervention, Vocation Job Placement and even Emotional Counseling for the blind and visually impaired. Thank you for your donation in lieu of the race, which typically raises $20,000 for our mission!
While our horses are in the paddock, click here for an exciting recording of the 2021 Bangalore Turf Club race featuring LHP’s favorite mare “My Vision”.
Lighthouse of Pinellas Night at the Races benefit held on February 29, 2020 raised money and awareness for the blind and celebrated the most successful and well-attended Night at the Races event!
For more information about how to support the 2022 event and the programs of Lighthouse of Pinellas, contact Michelle Yepez.
The fundraising event raised $19,000 to help ensure the Lighthouse of Pinellas organization can continue to provide training for blind and visually impaired individuals living in Pinellas County so they may gain the skills needed to advance their independence and quality of life. And equally as important, to ensure the nonprofit organization can continue to support the families of the blind and visually impaired for future generations.
\”The Night at the Races event is a time for fun and fellowship. Guests enjoyed an active evening of horse racing, dinner and entertainment to support the Lighthouse\”, said Kim Church, Lighthouse of Pinellas President and CEO.
The event took place at the Lighthouse facility in Largo where 150 guests heated up with excitement as 12 Thoroughbred stallions rounded the track during eight separate races. Cheers rang out as wagers placed with Play Money paid out with each winning horse to cross the finish line. The owners (sponsors) of the first-place winning horses were honored in a “Winner’s Circle” and received a prize hand-made by Lighthouse teen clients following each of the eight races.
Thanks to Chef Dave of DC Home Inspections, Olive Garden and The Pie Factory, the buffet served hot selections and tasty treats all evening. Between races guests enjoyed beverages from Great Bay Distributors and wine selections and sangria poured right from the tap with VS Importing’s new bar technology and cocktails from Kozuba and Sons Distillery.
A special “Raffle Paddock” room offered several prizes and raffle basket opportunities, and other chance raffles, and the option for guests to Give from the Heart to support the various programs and needs of the organization. A Reverse Raffle Ticket with a $1,000 payout was generously split by 5 winners with most being donated back to the organization by the winners!
“We are thankful for our Presenting Sponsor, Raymond James Trust and for all of our event sponsors,” Church said. “The event’s unique horse racing-theme makes it a popular fundraiser to attend and we are humbled by the number of people who came out to support our organization. Night at the Races allowed us to share our story and raise funds that will directly support programs for the 600 adults and children we serve here in Pinellas County.”
Event sponsors include Raymond James Trust, Dr. Ronald Tucker, Pinch-A-Penny, The Law Firm of Michael W. Porter, The Piamba Home Team, AmeriFirst Home Mortgage, BB&T, Mail Marketing Services, Bouchard Insurance, Brian and Cheryl Glas, Bay Area Retina Consultants and Sabal Trust.
To find out more about how this event supports the Lighthouse of Pinellas, please call Kim Church at 727-544-4433.
Click on the slideshow below to view all of the photos from the event.
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