Fair Grounds, First American Bankcard to Donate to United to Way to Aid Tornado Relief Efforts

By Brian Spencer —-

FAIR GROUNDS, FIRST AMERICAN BANKCARD, INC. TO DONATE TO UNITED WAY TO AID TORNADO RELIEF EFFORTS; FAIR GROUNDS TO DONATE $1 FROM ALL FRIDAY STARLIGHT ADMISSIONS

NEW ORLEANS (February 10, 2017) – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots announced that in conjunction with First American Bankcard, Inc, a donation will be made Friday to the United Way of Southeast Louisiana to aid in relief efforts following Tuesday’s tornadoes that impacted the Southern Louisiana region. The areas most heavily impacted were New Orleans East and Livingston Parish.
In addition, Fair Grounds has pledged $1 of every admission purchased to Friday’s Starlight Racing event to the United Way of Southeast Louisiana. Friday’s Starlight Racing card includes live entertainment from Groovy 7 and DJ San-D with popular food pop-ups Frencheeze and Crepes a la Carte serving on the track apron throughout nine live races with a first post of 5 p.m. General admission is $5, and admission to the Clubhouse and the Miller Time Beer Garden is $10.
“We are pleased to partner with Anthony Rabito, Jr, President and CEO of First American Bankcard, Inc. to assist with the relief efforts following Tuesday’s tornadoes,” said Doug Shipley, Fair Grounds President and General Manager. “Our hearts are with those affected, and we are committed to helping the United Way of Southeast Louisiana provide food, clothing and other vital services to the affected communities.”
“Mother Nature has once again shown us she is in charge,” said United Way of Southeast Louisiana President and CEO Michael Williamson. “In just minutes, many families’ lives’ were forever changed by the powerful tornado. Our residents have weathered hurricanes, tornadoes and floods in recent years and proven they are resilient. But, they do need help. Long-term recovery and rebuilding takes time, money, and is more than just brick and mortar. United Way supported programs with nonprofit Community Impact Partners can also provide food, clothing, counseling and other services to make people whole.
“We thank Fair Grounds, a Churchill Downs Company, and First American Bankcard, Inc., for the generous donation to help our neighbors in need,” Williamson continued. “The employees and owners of these businesses are part of the fabric of New Orleans. They know that together, we can rebuild lives and communities”
“We’ve donated nationwide to different educational funds and to last summer’s flood victims in Louisiana,” said Anthony Rabito, Jr., President and CEO of First American Bankcard, Inc. “At the end of the day, we want to be active in the community and help people anytime we can, especially with something as devastating as this week’s tornadoes. We’re happy to be part of this donation along with Fair Grounds.”
About UWSELA
United Way of Southeast Louisiana has a Blueprint for Prosperity to eradicate poverty in our region. We are strategically investing in programs, initiatives, collaborations and advocacy efforts to meet our community’s greatest needs. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and economically stable in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes. For more information, please visit unitedwaysela.org or call (504) 822-5540. You can find us on facebook at UnitedWaySela or follow us on twitter: @UnitedWaySELA. Join United Way. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.CONNECT.

About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 11 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 145th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 104th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 2016 through April 2017. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.