Vaccarezza Organizes Fundraiser for Tornado Victims

A fundraising event to help benefit the families affected by last weekend's devastating Western Kentucky tornado will take place at Frank & Dino's restaurant in Lexington on Sunday, Jan. 2. Complimentary food and drinks will be served between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the popular Italian eatery.

WLKY reported Thursday that 16 people, down from a high of 122, are still missing and that the death toll has risen to 76 Kentuckians. More than 1,000 homes and buildings have been destroyed and there are approximately still 3,000 power outages. Surveyors with the National Weather Service have reported that the twister had wind speeds up to 190 miles per hour.

“Every time there's an issue or something happens, we try to do something for the community,” said owner/breeder/trainer and Frank & Dino's managing partner Carlo Vaccarezza.

“I'm closing the restaurant from noon to 8 p.m. and there will be free food and free alcohol. When people come, hopefully they donate. We have people that are very committed that are going to come over and really support the cause. [Kentucky Congressman] Andy Barr–I've spoken to him a couple of times–and the governor's office are really behind this cause. All the money that we collect, we'll write a check and it will help families that were devastated by this horrible situation.”

Vaccarezza, whose two sons Mike and Nick survived a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018, raised approximately $180,000 for the families of the victims during a fundraiser also held at his family restaurant.

Donations can also be sent to Frank & Dino's, 271 W. Short Street, Lexington, Ky., 40507.

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TRF Hay Drive Underway With $60K Matching Gift

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has received a $60,000 matching gift from the Santulli Family Foundation to launch the 2021 Hay Drive. Richard and Peggy Santulli will match every dollar donated to the TRF up to $60,000 for this campaign. The TRF's goal for the 2021 Hay Drive is $120,000 to cover the cost of hay for the nearly 500 former racehorses currently in their care throughout the country.

The TRF Hay Drive is one of the most important campaigns for the organization and will be conducted by direct mail, email and social media as well as one-on-one donation requests. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, now in its 38th year, is the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country and provides sanctuary to a herd of nearly 500 retired racehorses.

“Hay is the cornerstone of a horse's diet and especially so in the winter months,” said Jessica Paquette, TRF Director of Communication and Annual Fund. “With the rising cost of hay throughout the country, we are grateful for the support.”

Last year, with the help of the Santulli Family Foundation, the TRF surpassed the goal of $120,000 and the organization is hopeful that this year's response will be equally as successful.

“We are immensely grateful for the continued support from the Santulli family,” said Patricia Stickney, TRF Executive Director. “They have been longtime champions of aftercare and we hope that their generosity will inspire others to give as well.”

To give to the Hay Drive, visit the TRF giving page here.

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Fundraiser Oct. 15 for Declan Cannon

Friends of jockey Declan Cannon are organizing an auction to raise funds for him while he is out of action following a spill Sept. 13 at Indiana Grand in which he fractured vertebrae. The fundraiser will take place this Friday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at McCarthy's Irish bar in Lexington.

“Declan is a very popular jockey from Ireland with a very young family. Obviously being out of action has severely cut down his income. He is expected to be out of action up to six months,” said Hunter Valley Farm's Adrian Regan. “By raising some funds I'm sure it will ease some of the financial pressure on him and his wife.”

Several leading figures in the industry have pledged items to the auction.

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Run for the Ribbons Hosting Chili Food Fight Fundraiser

Run for the Ribbons will hold the first annual Food Fight Fundraiser at Cedar Lock Farm Oct. 23 at 5 p.m., featuring a chili cook-off, live music, raffles, and door prizes. All proceeds go to the charitable organization RFTR to fund off-track Thoroughbred retraining and rehoming programs.

Taster Tickets can be purchased online at runfortheribbons.org for $10 each and include a sample cup of each chili, one vote card, bread, one beverage, and access to raffles, including a 50/50 cash raffle. Tasters will vote for the Food Fight Champion after sampling each recipe and the winner will be crowned first ever Food Fight Champion. Chefs can also enter online for $25 per recipe for the chance to win $100 and an award. Vendors may purchase a 10×10 setup space for $25. Chefs may purchase a combo ticket, which includes a vendor space and recipe entry for $40. General admission tickets with no taster option are free of charge. There will be other food items for purchase on site.

Guests can expect to enjoy an early evening of food, fun and live music, provided by 2019 Levy County Fair Battle of the Bands winners Still Lit, who will be performing a family friendly Halloween-inspired set. Costumes are also encouraged and a prize will be awarded to the best costume of the event. Raffles will include cash prizes and also items donated by local businesses and memorabilia from famous racehorses. This event is BYOB and encourages bringing your own lawn seating.

Run for the Ribbons, Inc. is a charitable organization focusing on Thoroughbred aftercare, raising awareness of the talents of Thoroughbreds as sport horses, and creating a widespread demand for these exceptional athletes by hosting Thoroughbred-centric events in Florida. Run for the Ribbons also retrains, rehabilitates, and rehomes OTTBs, ensuring a smooth transition from the racetrack to their next career.

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