Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) wrapped up its Woodbine Cares Week celebrations with the 16th annual Woodbine Turf Races, in support of United Way Toronto, Sunday morning at Woodbine.
Dozens of participants of all ages enjoyed the unique experience of running/walking on Woodbine’s world-renowned E.P. Taylor turf course. This fun fund-raising event, featuring participation from WEG employees, their families, business partners, community associations, racing fans, walkers and runners of all experience, raised $17,615 in 2014.
Participants enjoyed music, face painters and balloon artists followed by a barbecue lunch in Woodbine’s east-end track-side tent which overlooks the glorious 1 ½-mile turf course.
The Turf Races, which included a fun 5K walk/run, co-ed relay, and kids events (12 years and younger), are the culmination of Woodbine Cares Week – a 10-day celebration of WEG-supported community associations and causes that contribute so much to the life, health and vibrancy of Toronto.
“It’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm and commitment of our friends at Woodbine Entertainment Group,” said Julia Gorman, Chief Development Officer, United Way Toronto. “They show us just how fun it can be to give back to the community by running and walking the race track with great energy in support of this annual Turf Race. Thanks to Woodbine’s generosity, United Way is able to provide much-needed financial support to a network of over 200 community social agencies that deliver important services and programs to so many people and families across Toronto.”
The power behind the Woodbine Cares Week festivities was an online Charity Challenge, which presented a chance for racing fans, along with charitable supporters, to vote for their favourite cause. The charity that received the most votes by September 19 was to be awarded a $10,000 donation by Woodbine Entertainment Group.
More than 10,000 people voted in the Woodbine Cares Week Charity Challenge, and Pathways to Education Rexdale collected the most votes – a total of 2,160.
“We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in Woodbine Cares Week,” said Madina Wasuge, Program Director, Pathways to Education Rexdale. “Thank you to Woodbine Entertainment Group for your generous donation, and to all of the amazing supporters who voted for Pathways to Education. The $10,000 donation will help us provide students with academic tutoring, and social and financial supports, and will bring us one step closer to our goal of a Graduation Nation, where all youth in Canada have the opportunity to graduate.”
Many of WEG’s longtime charitable and community partners were profiled and highlighted on the www.WEGCares.ca site throughout the campaign. The #WEGCares hashtag had 1.5 million impressions on Twitter and the Facebook campaign earned more than 120,000 impressions.
“We are proud of our Woodbine Cares Week celebration,” said Nick Eaves, WEG’s President and CEO. “This voting challenge was a new initiative for us and the results have exceeded our expectations. WEG is very fortunate to have so many supportive community partners, and we wanted to use horseracing as the platform to raise awareness for the work they do that makes such a big difference in Toronto. The organizations embraced the challenge with creativity and enthusiasm, and worked tirelessly to rally support from the horse racing community and the public at large. The outpouring of support for Woodbine Cares Week has been very gratifying.”
The Turf Races action is available at www.YouTube.com/WoodbineTurfRaces.
WEG has been a member of Imagine Canada and “A Caring Company” since 1997, donating over $7 million into its local community since 2001. By adopting a progressive and leading Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda that is firmly woven into the fabric of its organization, WEG has enhanced its reputation as an innovative and insightful leader, earning industry recognition, multiple awards and customer respect for its actions that serve the greater good. For more information on WEG’s CSR initiatives go to www.racingtowardsabetterfuture.com.
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