In what has been an incredibly challenging year for all segments of society, Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., has been quick to assist a number of schools, local service organizations and others in need of open space for a wide variety of needs, including fund raising, small animal veterinary care, driver training, fire evacuation, E-Waste collection and much more.
One recent example of Santa Anita's community service came this past September, when the track assisted the American Red Cross and the city of Arcadia by serving as an evacuation site for the Bobcat Fire which was raging in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains.
“Being a good neighbor is something we take great pride in,” said Pete Siberell, Santa Anita's longtime Director of Community Services and Special Projects. “With the on-going Covid crisis, there has been an increased need for open space and we're very fortunate to be in a position to assist a number of local entities, including schools, Arcadia Fire, Methodist Hospital, the Girl Scouts of America, small animal veterinary needs and many more.
“Horse racing is obviously our core business and although we remain open for training and look forward to our traditional Winter/Spring Meet opener on Dec. 26, we are still not allowed to admit the general public, so this has opened up our parking lots and Grandstand areas throughout the year for a variety of projects and community oriented events.”
One very significant recent development has been the on-site establishment of not-for-profit Free Animal Doctor, which began operating a small animal veterinary clinic in Santa Anita's parking lot 7 this past September.
“Free Animal Doctor (FAD) has been a great addition for us,” said Siberell. “Our backside community is populated by hundreds of animal lovers and FAD recently performed 30 low cost spay and neuter procedures, primarily for those folks that work in the Stable Area. FAD is going to be partnering soon with the Pasadena Humane Society, so their positive impact on the community at large is going to become even greater.”
In terms of fund raising activities, in the month of November alone, Santa Anita has hosted a Drive-in Movie Night for the Sierra Madre-based Gooden School (K-8), a Family Gratitude Drive Through Event for Highland Oaks (middle school) PTSA/Arcadia, a Food Distribution Event for Girl Scouts of America/Arcadia, a Crystal Ball Fundraiser Drive-Through for the (Arcadia) Methodist Hospital Foundation and a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills, sponsored by the Fellowship Monrovia Church.
Santa Anita has always served as a year-round Driver Training facility for the Arcadia Fire Department and has traditionally provided acreage for Rose Parade Band training for out-of-town universities. This past December, Pasadena City College and the Alhambra Unified School District also came to Santa Anita to help train their respective bands in advance of Pasadena's annual New Year's Day extravaganza.
This past February, Santa Anita facilitated Driver Training for the Sierra Madre Fire Department and did the same for Monrovia Fire July.
Additionally, Santa Anita assisted the LA County Sanitation Department this past August as they hosted an E-Waste collection event in the track's Infield parking lot.
For more information on Santa Anita's upcoming Winter/Spring Meet and other events, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
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