Brought back for a third year, CARMA’s summer fundraiser, CARMAthon, exceeded all expectations. The nonprofit dedicated to Thoroughbred aftercare raised more than $300,000 to help fund its programs - more than DOUBLE that of last year’s event.
With the help of TVG, CARMAthon shared the spotlight on Del Mar Oaks Day and shined on social media platforms. TVG’s on-air commentators promoted the event throughout the day, highlighting the importance of aftercare for the sport. The network also played videos showcasing Thoroughbreds who retired through CARMA’s Placement Program in their second careers as sport horses.
The fundraiser was on pace to meet its goal of $150,000 when a mid-afternoon phone call changed everything. An anonymous donor put forth a dollar-for-dollar matching fund up to $150,000. This was met by the end of the day bringing the total raised to over $300,000, making this CARMA’s most successful event EVER!
“Today has been about the horses, about the racing industry coming together, about supporting our equine athletes, and about all the non-profit organizations dedicated to Thoroughbred Aftercare'' said Billy Koch, CARMA’s President and Little Red Feather Racing Founder and Managing Partner. “I know I speak for the entire CARMA Board of Directors when I say we are overwhelmed by the generosity and support the racing industry has shown today. Aftercare is not an afterthought - and that was proven today.”
Throughout the month leading up to the big day, CARMAthon hype dominated Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Many supporters could not wait to donate to CARMAthon and began making contributions before the event even started. Once CARMAthon kicked off Saturday morning, donations continued to come in around the clock, even during the early morning and overnight hours.
“We can’t thank everyone enough for all their support today,'' said CARMA Executive Director Lucinda Lovitt. “CARMA only has one major fundraiser a year so having the racing community come together in such a big way means so much. And of course, all our success was magnified by the generosity of an anonymous donor who’s matching fund of $150,000 knocked this year’s goal out of the park! We cannot even begin to express how big of an impact these additional funds will have on our programs and for our aftercare charity partners this year.”
CARMAthon donors include TVG Network-Fanduel, Marsha Naify, James & Shari Ough, Samantha Siegel, Oak Tree Racing Foundation, Santa Anita Park, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Bob & Jill Baffert, Rick Gold, Tom & Nicole Bachman, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Jeffery Ward, Carol Fernandez, Madeline Auerbach, Mike Birkland, John Sondereker, Roger Straus, Lisa Beattie, Jeff Blea, Joel & Cathy Eichenberger, Mark Feld, Katie Fisher, Flavien & Manon Prat, Thorbred Stables and many, many more.
For more information and to donate to CARMA at any time, visit CARMA4horses.org or contact Lucinda Lovitt at (626) 574-6622 or lucinda@carma4horses.org.
About California Retirement Management Account
CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) is a charitable 501 (c)(3) organization formed to assist Thoroughbred rehabilitation and retirement organizations that facilitate the care and retraining of horses who raced in California and whose racing careers have ended. CARMA ensures the racehorses have retirement options by managing and disbursing funds to qualified retirement facilities caring for such horses.
