More Anna Houses - By Donna Chenkin

re: More Anna Houses - By Donna Chenkin

Donna Chenkin — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:42:41 GMT

Debbie,

Thank you for your kind words. Please visit our web site www.belmontchildcare.org and see what we do at Anna House.

Best of luck to you,

Donna

re: More Anna Houses - By Donna Chenkin

Debbie in Lexington — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:51:50 GMT

Donna/Steve,

Donna,

First of all, I was blown away by your article! What a meaningful way to make a living! I was deeply touched by your concern and commitment for these racetrack workers and their families. Your opening line about transformation of a dream really hit home to me as I just moved to Lexington to pursue my dream of working in the racing industry. I think what you are doing is a critical piece of making the sport successful.

Steve,

I also appreciated your comments. I agree with you that racing has a lot of work to do in repairing its image with the public. I see Donna's work with Anna House as one way to better the sport of racing - a piece in a very large puzzle. One of my goals in moving to the Bluegrass region is to try and make a positive difference in this great sport, with these amazing animals. I am finding it is very hard to "get my foot in the door" as the racing community sticks pretty close together. I would love any comments, ideas, suggestions, etc (or contact names if you have them) of ways I can begin to promote the sport that I love so much. It is nice to know that others feel the same way.

Thanks for your time and best of luck.

Debbie in Lexington

re: More Anna Houses - By Donna Chenkin

Bellwether — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:14:49 GMT

we need them in Maryland & we will work to get them there...our nations children are #1 in our book...it puts a pretty face on our sport too...

re: More Anna Houses - By Donna Chenkin

Sweet Spirits Stables — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:35:56 GMT

Hello:

We have a monthly game called �Name that Foal�. see

www.sweetspirits.us

Contributions are made on behalf of the winners each month to equine charities or educational groups. Looks like Anna's House would be eligible on two counts.

It is a modest monthly donation but we are hoping as traffic improves to make donations bigger. And of course donations are made to groups whose members take an interest and play.

We will add Anna's House as a charity to our list and perhaps you might want to provide a link to our web site and let your contributors and parents know of the site for possible for funding.

Best regards,

Jim and Gail

re: More Anna Houses - By Donna Chenkin

Donna Chenkin — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:58:44 GMT

Steve,

Thanks for your comments regarding Anna House and the dedication of our Board and donors.

As to filling the stands with racing fans at The NYRA tracks, and other tracks around the country, nothing would please me more than to see that happen. However, my mission is to fill Anna House with children and to make certain we have the funds to keep it open, not for this year, or the next, but for the next fifty years. The only way we can do that is if I concentrate on raising funds to keep it open.

Luckily, we have the support of organizations like The New York Thoroughbred Horsmen's Associations. Today, the Executive Director of NYTHA, Jim Gallagher, presented us with a donation of $25,000.

Steve, visit us sometime when you're at Belmont.

Donna

re: More Anna Houses - By Donna Chenkin

STEVE STONE — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:20:53 GMT

Certainly enjoyed reading the Anna Houses feature as I am very cognizant w/the genesis of its existance and the altruism and dedication that is being displayed and yes..other major racing markets in the country that supports virtual year-round racing w/their backstretchs open should embrace this needy and worthy project..My question to Donna is whether your passion and committment for this type of endeavor transcends the entire sport and if you are involved or will be involved or even have any interest in involving yourself w/the overall promotion of the sport in generating an newer and younger fan base in order to stem the rapid erosion and atrophying of the sports popularity..After all..w/no one in the stands attending this great sport..the mere existance of live racing and the subsequent backstretch programs becomes somewhat moot...The fans in the stands will in reality dictate the future of the Anna Houses..The equation is somewhat complex...Thanx always for the window of expression..Steve Stone...East Hanover..New Jersey....