Former Governor of New York George Pataki, the Founder of the Pataki Leadership Center and a Trustee of the Advisory Council of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation (ACF), has joined ACF Trustee and former U.S. Ambassador to Finland Earle Mack and philanthropist Peter Brant, also a member of the Advisory Council of the ACF, to deliver medical supplies, food, clothing, and other essentials to the Ukrainian refugees arriving in Hungary.
Mack and Brant – both distinguished, longtime owners and breeders of Thoroughbred racehorses – departed Florida with a plane load of supplies on Thursday evening, March 10th. Governor Pataki is already on the ground in Hungary.
They will meet with high-level government and religious leaders with representatives of various international relief organizations, and will leave a team of professionals who will remain at the Hungarian Ukrainian border to assist local officials and healthcare workers in aiding the refugees.
Rabbi Arthur Schneier, the president and founder of the ACF, is a survivor of the Holocaust in Budapest. “Eighty years ago, the world faced the horrors of World War II. Today the world is responding to the people of Ukraine and to lend assistance to Hungary and neighboring countries who have opened their doors to those fleeing. As a refugee myself, I know what it means to be hungry and to go days without food. I know what it means to flee your home with little more than just clothing on your back.”
For over 40 years, Earle Mack has bred and raced horses around the world and has held many prominent positions in the world of horse racing, including member of the U.S. Jockey Club, chairman of the New York Racing Commission, trustee for the New York Racing Association, and as an advocate of after-care for retired racehorses and an advisor to three governors on racing policy. He commented, “I have deep family ties to the Ukraine through my great-great grandparents who managed to come to America in the early 20th century. I have been a first responder in other disaster areas and I intend to be a first responder again to bring aid to the innocent victims of war in the Ukraine in their time of need. ”
Brant first became involved in the Thoroughbred industry during the 1970s and campaigned top horses such as Breeders’ Cup winner Gulch, and as breeder of 1995 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Thunder Gulch. After a 20-year hiatus from the sport, in 2018 he returned to the top of the game with Sistercharlie, winner of three Grade 1 races that year. Brant said of the mission, “The Ukrainian people really need our help. Whatever we can do big or small we need to do for them now.”
About the Appeal of Conscience Foundation
The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, under the leadership of Rabbi Arthur Schneier, has worked worldwide on behalf of religious freedom, human rights, peace co-existence and mutual understanding since 1965. To uphold the principle “live and let live” is the Appeal of Conscience Foundation’s continuing goal. An interfaith coalition of business, religious and foreign policy leaders, this international organization promotes mutual understanding, peace and interreligious cooperation and provides a voice of conscience to protect minorities.
~ with files from Rubenstein.com
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