The California Retirement Management Account's summer fundraiser CARMAthon raised over $300,000 at Del Mar Saturday. The non-profit, which is dedicated to Thoroughbred aftercare in the state, joined with TVG, whose on-air commentators promoted the event throughout the day and played videos showcasing Thoroughbreds who retired through CARMA's Placement Program in their second careers as sport horses.
The fundraiser was on pace to meet its goal of $150,000 when an anonymous donor put forth a dollar-for-dollar matching fund up to $150,000. This was met by the end of the day, bringing the total raised to over $300,000, making it CARMA's most successful event.
“Today has been about the horses, about the racing industry coming together, about supporting our equine athletes, and about all the non-profit organizations dedicated to Thoroughbred Aftercare,” said Billy Koch, CARMA's President and Little Red Feather Racing Founder and Managing Partner. “I know I speak for the entire CARMA Board of Directors when I say we are overwhelmed by the generosity and support the racing industry has shown today. Aftercare is not an afterthought–and that was proven today.”
CARMA Executive Director Lucinda Lovitt added, “We can't thank everyone enough for all their support today. CARMA only has one major fundraiser a year, so having the racing community come together in such a big way means so much. And of course, all our success was magnified by the generosity of an anonymous donor whose matching fund of $150,000 knocked this year's goal out of the park. We cannot even begin to express how big of an impact these additional funds will have on our programs and for our aftercare charity partners this year.”
For more information and to donate to CARMA, visit CARMA4horses.org or contact Lucinda Lovitt at (626) 574-6622 or lucinda@carma4horses.org.
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