BGFC NOVEMBER 2009 NEWSLETTER
CHARITY DEALS WITH
$90K SHORTFALL
Like many nonprofits, BGFC
has been hit hard by the recession being felt throughout the Thoroughbred
industry. Executive Director, Mary
Lee-Butte states that income for BGFC is down $90,000 compared with last
year. “Unfortunately, we have seen an
increase in needs and for the first time in the history of the organization
have had to turn folks away or refer them to other agencies.”
About half of the charity’s
income is from grants, which have dropped from $110,000 last year to $37,000 in
2009. “We are hoping that some year-end
grants and donations will come in and help us get through the winter.
Staff and program cuts have been made to be able to stay afloat. “We are hopeful, but realistic that more cuts and changes could benecessary,” says Lee-Butte. BGFC does not receive any government funding.
Racino Grande a Big Hit with Guests
The payout was pure fun!
More than 300
guests attended BGFC’s first Racino Grande conducted by the
Ladies’ Guild. The
The highlight of the evening was the sale of halters
belonging to legendary fillies Rachel
Alexandra and Zenyatta. The winning bidder, Jim Wilhite of
Eric Mitchell
(The Blood-Horse) was the winner of the
The net proceeds from the event were approximately $45,000—amount of fun had by guests—priceless! Gov. and Mrs. Brereton C. Jones served as Honorary Chairs for the event.
PRIVATE QUARTERS CLUB
This package for up
to 6 includes: 7 nights in a luxury residence; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms; Full
gourmet kitchen; Living room with
state-of-the-art entertainment center; Large outdoor deck with fairway view; The
home has 2 master bedrooms w/ King Beds and one bedroom with 2 queen beds, all
with adjoining bathrooms and whirlpool tubs (3000 sq. ft home). Unlimited golf play for six at Amelia National
Golf, on a Tom Fazio Designed Course
Unlimited
access
to clubhouse, tropical pool and fitness center.
This package is valid
for travel thru-
Mandatory
$150 final cleaning fee is payable to the property directly. Golf cart fees not included. Call Mary @ 219-0910. Price per week is
$2400. Proceeds benefit BGFC.
Reservations are subject to availability. Most summer dates are open. This is a great getaway for families, couples, or business and within driving distance.
This package is
non-refundable.
Chaplaincy Receives Unexpected Gift
As a charity, we give all the time never expecting to receive anything other than a thank you in return. So, imagine my surprise one day last month when I opened an envelope from a gentleman we had helped back in the spring only to find a check for $2000 enclosed. This was almost ten times the amount that we had donated to Mark “Snake” Thompson, who works at Dromoland Farm and earlier this year underwent extensive knee surgery and months of rehabilitation. Co-worker and friend, Theresa Whelton organized several fundraisers called “Operation Snake” to cover the costs of Snake’s surgery and rehab. “I just wanted to give back as a way to say thanks to everyone who helped me,” states a very grateful Snake.
In all of my years at BGFC this is only the second time that someone we assisted has made a donation back to us. To say that I was touched is an understatement. I was deeply humbled and reminded of my favorite scripture about caring for each other.
“God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” 2 Corinthians
1:3-5.
God bless the person who reaches beyond himself to help
others so that they may know the love of God through the kindness and mercy of
his people. Mary
STUDIO PLAYERS TO CONDUCT
WINTER
Don’t Be a HUMBUG-Join Our Winter
The Studio Players will be presenting Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol by Tom Mula
and Directed by Carly
When you come to see the
show, bring new gloves and hats for children; gently used children’s coats, or
canned/boxed goods and be entered in a drawing to win FREE Studio Players tickets. Cash
donations are also being accepted and all contributions are tax
deductible.
Enjoy the production
at the lovely Carriage House Theatre at
“Scrooge? I have to redeem old Scrooge? The one man I knew who was worse than I was? Impossible!” So begins the real story behind Dicken’s A Christmas Carol—the story of Jacob Marley’s heroic behind-the-scenes efforts to save old Scrooge’s soul (and in the process, save his own). This irreverent, funny and ultimately deeply moving story retells Dicken’s classic with warmth and zest.
Give Thanks
In this time of great
difficulties such as war and financial hardships, it’s difficult for many of us
to get pumped up about a holiday where we are supposed to give thanks. Are you going through a tough time now? If you are, how do you feel? Do you have a good attitude or are you
ungrateful, mad, complaining, or even blaming God?
It’s hard to go
through difficulties and maintain a good attitude. But, we must recognize that difficulties
present opportunities for growth and change.
God’s word states, “For I know the
plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper not to harm you, to
give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
As we trudge down
this path of uncertainty at work and in business, in relationships, and even in
our country, we will do well to remember that God is on our side. He is never against us. So as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving,
let us give thanks to God our health, friends, family, jobs, our possessions,
and even the difficulties that we face and to seek His guidance for ourselves,
our family and friends, and our beloved Nation. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
