I first became aware of the Belmont Child Care Association around 2005 or 2006—checking Aqueduct results, I saw information on the NYRA homepage about donating items to the Anna House holiday party, at which the children could pick out presents to give to their family members. My relationship with this organization began with that donation.

In 2007, I began to volunteer with the BCCA, serving on the benefit committee to plan the annual major fundraiser, which takes place in Saratoga every August.

And recently, I was honored to be nominated and elected to serve on the BCCA board.

So in that capacity, here’s the latest on this summer’s benefit.

The Belmont Child Care Association, which offers very low-cost child care to the children of the backstretch workers, 365 days a year, will hold a Mexican-fiesta themed fundraiser on Wednesday, August 26th (Travers week) at the Gideon Putnam Hotel, honoring Kiaran McLaughlin and Edgar Prado, two long-time and committed Anna House supporters. As with any fundraising event, there are myriad ways for people to contribute.

You can become a sponsor of the event; sponsor packages are available from $5,000 to $15,000, and include tickets to the event, signage, and a significant ad in the benefit journal.

You can purchase an ad in the benefit journal, with prices ranging from $75 to $2,000.

You can make a cash donation to support the event.

You can contribute silent and live auction items; particularly popular at past events have been donations of wine; jewelry; racing memorabilia; tickets for shows and sporting events; gift certificates for retail stores or restaurants; electronics, or experiences, like a walk-on part in a movie or a meal with a celebrity.

If you’ll be in Saratoga then, you could volunteer at or attend the event.

I know that there’s not a lot of extra money floating around these days, and I recognize that some of the above is well beyond our means. But a few years ago, I coordinated an effort to purchase a full page ad in the benefit program, which at that point cost $600; dozens of people contributed, mostly in amounts in the $20 range, and we raised nearly $1000.

This year, that same page costs $750, while a half page costs $400. It may be a little far-fetched, but even if as individuals we can’t afford a big contribution, maybe a number of us could contribute a little and purchase an ad, thanking McLaughlin and Prado for their contributions to Anna House and congratulating them on their honor, from the readers of Brooklyn Backstretch.

Just a thought.

If you’re interested in helping in any way, you can contact the BCCA or me directly.