Popular 'Starlight-Starbright' program returning in March to Fair Grounds

Popular 'Starlight-Starbright' program returning in March

to Fair Grounds

Debuting at the February Starlight Racing event, Fair

Grounds' new community involvement program, "Starlight-Starbright," proved a

popular initiative with local groups and is offered again for the March 14

Starlight Racing program, which will feature The Mixed Nuts in the clubhouse and

DJ Kemistry in the Miller Time Beer Garden (guests must be 21 years old to enter

the Miller Time Beer Garden). First post is 5 p.m. (EST).

"Starlight-Starbright" is a program that allows non-profit

and for-profit entities to raise funds for their own charitable organization or

for one that their company supports in its efforts to touch the community by

receiving an admission rebate equal to 50 percent of the admission cost ($5 per

person). Groups may pre-sell or direct their membership and supporters to

purchase tickets to the designated Starlight event though the Fair Grounds online

ticketing system.

"The genesis of the Starlight-Starbright Program derived

from the success of the annual Young Leadership Council (YLC) partnership which

provides YLC with a means to rally membership to raise funds for their

organization, as well as generating both interest and exposure to racing for

young professionals. We are excited that initial response to the effort has been

so well received," explained Mark A. Conner, senior director of marketing.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the initial event in

February was the St. Benilde Men's Club.

"We were drawn to the 'Starlight-Starbright' program as an

opportunity to raise money while creating a fun social event for the whole

family," St. Benilde's Social Director Lucas Gallioto said. "The many forms of

entertainment offered at Fair Grounds allowed people of all ages to come out and

support our organization. We had between 15-20 kids come out and they had a

blast dancing to The Topcats in the clubhouse, and the money we raised with this

event will pay one-third of the cost of uniforms for boys and girls sports

programs, and that is fabulous. We will be making this an annual social event."

Additional groups are lining up in advance of the March

"Starlight-Starbright" fundraising opportunity, including the

United Fire Fighters

Association, a group whose mission is to "enrich the lives of all first

responders by helping those who serve the community unselfishly have a balance

within their lives between work and family through social activities and

camaraderie." The United Fire Fighters Association may can be supported on its

Facebook page.

Caps For Kids

also plans on participating in the March "Starlight-Starbright" event. Caps For

Kids is a charity that provides baseball caps autographed by athletes,

celebrities, and entertainers, to children diagnosed with cancer.

The group's

mission explains their goal: "To a child who has lost their hair due to the

chemotherapy treatments, the caps help them establish a special bond with their

caregiver/physician and their celebrity hero. We have found that many of the

children garner strength from the autographed caps, and they feel as though

their celebrity hero is right there with them fighting the battle against their

illness."

"Caps For Kids is delighted to partner with the Fair

Grounds for their upcoming 'Starlight-Starbright' event," said Ellen Kempner,

Caps For Kids board president. "This opportunity allows us to raise additional

funds and continue to work towards our goal of putting a celebrity signed ball

cap on the head of every child throughout the country who has lost their hair

due to cancer treatment. We encourage everyone to participate and join us on

this fun evening. Hats off to the Fair Grounds for their generosity and

support."

Companies may register as an official

"Starlight-Starbright" beneficiary by downloading the official information and

registration form from

fairgroundsracecourse.com and emailing it to

lindsay.boihem@fgno.com or

mark.conner@fgno.com. Additional information, including clubhouse

reservations during fund raising, is available by calling the property

reservations line at 504-943-2200.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com