Belmont Park to Host Annual Walk for St. Mary’s Kids and Family Fun Day in Effort to Raise Awareness for Region’s Most Seriously Ill and Injured Children
April 30, 2008 (Elmont, NY) – St. Mary’s Health Care System for Children and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced an official partnership today, bringing the region’s leading provider of post-acute care for children together with the region’s most famous race track to raise funds and awareness for some of New York’s most seriously ill and injured children. St. Mary’s and NYRA leadership were joined by Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi to announce the centerpiece of the partnership, the annual Walk for St. Mary’s Kids and Family Fun Day, which will take place at Belmont Park on May 18th.
“St. Mary’s and the children and families we proudly serve are incredibly excited and grateful for the new partnership with Belmont Park and NYRA,” said Dr. Burton Grebin, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. “We constantly seek to provide the best possible care for thousands of New York’s children, but we can not do it alone. Having a partner like Belmont Park is a tremendous boost to help us raise awareness and will have a direct impact on the lives of the children we serve. We also are proud to be working with leaders like County Executive Suozzi who has always fought to help children and families in need.”
“Belmont and NYRA are honored to partner with St. Mary’s to improve the health and quality of life for New York’s children with special healthcare needs,” remarked Gavin Landry, NYRA senior vice president. “Our whole team has fully embraced the mission of St. Mary’s and is pleased to have been selected to host this annual grassroots event.”
“I am pleased to participate in today’s announcement between these two great organizations,” remarked County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. “Each and every day, St. Mary’s makes a significant difference in the lives of children and families right here in Nassau County as well as the surrounding counties. The Walk at Belmont will play a vital role in helping children with special healthcare needs continue to thrive.”
In addition to announcing the new partnership centered around the Walk for St. Mary’s Kids and Family Fun Day, NYRA also announced that they will name a race in honor of St. Mary’s on the day of the walk. The “Race for St. Mary’s Kids” will be the first race on May 18th at Belmont Park and children from St. Mary’s will be in the announcer’s booth and the winner’s circle to commemorate the event.
Belmont Park and NYRA are also fielding a team that will participate in the Walk for St. Mary’s Kids and will be running St. Mary’s PSAs and advertisements and distributing promotional materials at Belmont Park throughout the racing season.
