Press release
BATAVIA – Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced that the Fur Ball Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, April 13th, 2024 raised $30,000 for Begin Again Horse Rescue in Lima, NY and Whispering River Rescue in Gasport, NY.
Over 90 baskets donated by local companies and individuals were raffled off to the more than 200 persons in attendance. Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas took pictures with attendees while they enjoyed food and drink. Attendees danced the night away as they enjoyed music from DJ Jimmy B.
Monies from the gala will be used by the charities to support their work which includes caring for horses, donkeys and other farm animals.
Video of check presentation/press conference/April 19, 2024
“After the success of last year’s event, we were excited to welcome even more people to our event this year with our attendance going over 200 persons. We are indebted to local businesses and community members who came together in support of the Fur Ball Gala,” said Jacquelyne Leach, CFO for Western OTB / Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel and Jody Coffta, General Manager of Food & Beverage for Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “We want to thank all the volunteers, our staff and the many vendors who donated food and beverages for this event. This was truly a great team effort. To all those that contributed baskets for the raffles, please know we could not have done this without you.”V
For those interested in getting involved with this year’s local animal organizations, information for each can be found here:
Begin Again Horse Rescue https://www.beginagainrescue.org/
Whispering River Rescue https://www.whisperingriverrescue.com/
About Batavia Downs/WROTB
Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates 8 OTB branches, 2 ADW sites, 25 Ez-Bet sites, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming and hotel facility. Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated over $260 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of participating municipalities.
About Begin Again Horse Rescue
Begin Again Horse Rescue, Inc. is a temporary place of rest and recuperation for horses found to be neglected or abused. Located in Lima, New York, our founding members for many years have invested in the care and well being of these animals. We facilitate the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of the animals in our care. We strive to find as many loving, informed homes for as many horses as possible. We are 100% volunteer run and operate solely on donations.
About Whispering River Rescue
We are dedicated to the care and adoption of abused and neglected farm animals with a special focus on rescuing donkeys. We are committed to the betterment of our WNY community through the related ongoing education of our future fur loving generations.