FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Lucinda Mandella
Arcadia, CA – April 9, 2008 (626) 574-6618
CARMA Takes Shape
The first board meeting of the newly formed charitable organization CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) was held at Santa Anita on Thursday, Mar. 20. Making up the 12-member board of directors are Madeline Auerbach (Chair), Marsha Naify (Vice Chair), Doug O’Neill (Chief Financial officer), Jennifer Hagan (Secretary), Ron Charles, Drew J. Couto, Trevor Denman, Jan Hawthorne, Guy Lamothe, John Sadler, Samantha Siegel, and Gary Stevens. CARMA was formed to help Thoroughbred rehabilitation and retirement facilities that care for and retrain horses whose careers have ended after competing in California Thoroughbred races. CARMA will manage a grant request process and disburse funds to qualified retirement facilities caring for such horses.
“The first board meeting for CARMA is really one of the most historic events to occur in horse racing in the last decade,” said Naify. “For the first time, owners are stepping up to the plate and saying we need to take care of our horses – everyone’s horses.”
Now officially a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, CARMA is actively seeking contributions. A recent CHRB rule change established a deduction of three tenths of one percent of purse revenues to fund the charity. “Even though the rule change provides for owners to “opt out” of the program, I feel that owners support for CARMA is strong and most will participate,” said Auerbach. It is anticipated that other industry organizations, including trainers, jockeys and racing associations, will join in financially supporting CARMA. Tax deductable donations are now being accepted, and may be sent to: CARMA, P.O. Box 1086, Sierra Madre, Calif., 91025-9086. (Tax I.D. #80-0146395).
Plans are also underway for the kick-off event for CARMA. The fundraising event – a poker tournament, with silent and live auctions – is tentatively scheduled for Thursday evening, August 21, in Del Mar. For further information, please contact Lucinda Mandella at 626-574-6618.
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