Charities and volunteers in the spotlight during Woodbine Cares Week

Toronto, September 7 – Woodbine Entertainment will host its fourth annual Woodbine Cares Week beginning on September 10, 2017.

Woodbine Cares Week celebrates the contributions of community organizations and causes supported by Woodbine Entertainment. With Woodbine Entertainment’s support, these organizations are better able to contribute to the life, health, and vibrancy of the neighbourhoods in Rexdale and Milton. Through Woodbine Cares Week, the contributions of these valuable community organizations are recognized while raising awareness for their programs and services.

An annual highlight of Woodbine Cares Week is the Charity Challenge where 14 charitable organizations from Rexdale and Milton vie for $10,000 in donations through an online poll. Woodbine Entertainment will make a $7,500 donation to the charity that accumulates the most votes, and a $2,500 donation to the charity in second place. Voting opens on Sunday, September 10 and closes at midnight on Sunday, September 17 at www.wegcares.ca.

"The outstanding work performed by our charitable partners helps make our communities a better place to thrive for all and in particular the most vulnerable members of our society," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "We are honoured to support these groups throughout the year and to celebrate their achievements during our Woodbine Cares Week."

Another highlight of Woodbine Cares Week will be the 19th annual Turf Races in support of the United Way Toronto & York Region. This family-friendly event takes place on September 10 where employees, their families and community members come out for a fun morning at the track including various races on the world-renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

The Woodbine Cares Week campaign wraps up with a Volunteer & Community Partner Appreciation Dinner on Wednesday, September 20. The evening represents Woodbine’s opportunity to recognize and thank all Woodbine Entertainment volunteers, who volunteered a combined 1400 hours last year, as well as the supported organizations within the surrounding communities. Additionally, the winning organizations of the Woodbine Cares Week Charity Challenge will be unveiled at Volunteer & Community Partner Appreciation Dinner.

Community members are encouraged to participate in the Charity Challenge as well as supporting the campaign on social media by following @WoodbineCares on Twitter, using the hashtag #WoodbineCares.

The following campaign partners and charities are supported by Woodbine Entertainment and eligible to win the 2017 Charity Challenge: