Give mom something special this Mother’s Day!
"A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them."
– Victor Hugo
For a limited time, receive a BCCA custom-designed scarf with a $150 donation. The scarf has a hidden message, CHILDREN, spelled out in the nautical alphabet between the horses.
BCCA is proud to partner with the United Way of Long Island!
“Working as a team is essentially what we've been doing throughout the coronavirus outbreak,” said BCCA Executive Director Joanne K. Adams. “We're all dedicated to the same ends: Giving these families who are the heart of our sport, some relief at a difficult time. That's why this wonderful and unexpected gift from United Way of Long Island is so wonderful.”
While practicing social distancing, BCCA Executive Director, Joanne K. Adams, picked up gift cards for all of the Anna House families from Theresa Regnante, President and CEO of the United Way of Long Island.
We are most grateful for this important community partnership and we were delighted to share this connection with other backstretch organizations. As a result, over 700 backstretch workers at Belmont Park are also receiving gift cards during this time of crisis.
We send our immense gratitude and appreciation to the United Way of Long Island.
Support our 2020 Magazine!
Join BCCA’s Family Fund and Assist Us In Our Efforts to Purchase Supplies
BCCA has been collecting donations of much needed items for infants and toddlers including diapers, wipes, and formula. Due to the current New York State mandate on social distancing, the most effective and efficient way to help our families is to make a financial donation to cover the costs of essential supplies.
Suggested donations:
$75 will purchase 5 tubs of 16 oz. diaper cream.
$50 will purchase 6 bottles of baby formula.
$25 will purchase 50 diapers.
Any amount makes a difference!
BCCA Thanks NYRA For Assisting Us With Donations
Please check out NYRA’s press release, below and email Patricia O’Grady at pogrady@belmontchildcare.org with any questions on where to drop off or how to donate.
The BCCA provides vital support to those who work in thoroughbred racing, but on March 17 they closed their facility, called Anna House, consistent with Nassau County's decision to close public schools to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Anna House was built in 2002 by BCCA board chairman Michael Dubb. Opened in January 2003, it continues to be the base of BCCA's operations. BCCA has served more than 1,000 students and has raised more than $10 million to cover tuition and operational expenses.
Dubb, a perennial leading owner on the NYRA circuit and a member of NYRA's Board of Directors, said it is important to support the backstretch community during this time of uncertainty.
"Anna House has been an integral part of the community, 365 days a year, since 2003 when we opened. This is the first time we've ever been closed," said Dubb. "The backstretch has always been one big family of hard working people and they are the unsung stars of the sport. We're extremely troubled to have had to close our doors because we know how much the families rely on us."
The BCCA is collecting donations of much-needed items including diapers, wipes, diaper cream, powered milk, and formula, among other items. (See below for a complete list.) If you wish to donate, go to www.belmontchildcare.org/blog for additional information.
Libby Imperio, a longtime horse owner on the NYRA circuit and president of the BCCA board, serves on all of the BCCA committees and oversees its fundraising and outreach efforts.
"Right now, what we need for the families are baby formula, diapers, Desitin diaper cream, juice boxes and any kind of art supplies or creative activities for young kids to work on at home. The need is real and continuous," said Imperio.
Anna House is an integral part of the New York racing community assisting young families - with children ranging from 6-weeks-old to 12-years-old - who work daily to tend to the needs of the equine athletes.
"We have about 60 children on a daily basis and with our school-age program, for children who have graduated Anna House and return on days off and weekends, we have about 100 children in need," said Imperio. "They are all children of the families of the backstretch - the hotwalkers, grooms, exercise riders, assistant trainers and more"
The BCCA is working with the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America, and the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) to coordinate accepting and distributing items to those in need.
"NYRA has been very supportive and working very closely with us, especially to coordinate pickups for the families," said BCCA Executive Director Joanne Adams, who works closely with a BCCA executive committee comprised of Dubb, Imperio, Donald Little, Jr., Laura Barillaro, and Patrick Mackay.
With live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack suspended until further notice due to changing circumstances in the racing community relative to the coronavirus, Imperio noted that the community is relying more than ever on the services of the BCCA.
"We are in need. We've had to cancel two of our fundraisers thus far and we will need both the physical and financial donations," said Imperio. "Right now, my immediate concern is for the families and we appreciate anyone who can help us out in any way. The people that take care of the animals have families and without racing they'll be in more need than ever."
Imperio said she is buoyed by the strong sense of family on the backstretch while navigating through the hardships caused by the coronavirus.
"Racing, as a community, is one big family," said Imperio. "We may race against each other in the afternoon, but we all come together in times of need. And right now, we all need to be there for each other."
Below is a list of items currently needed by BCCA:
Food
Non-perishable breakfast and lunch items and healthy snacks
Drinks
Juice boxes
Water
Powdered milk
Horizon milk in cartons
Soaps
Hand sanitizer
Dishwashing soap
Hand soap
Laundry detergent
For Infants and Toddlers
Diapers (all sizes)
Pull-ups Wipes
Enfamil purple baby formula
Desitin diaper cream
Baby Tylenol
Thermometers
Our Families Need Your Help.
Dear Friends:
We have heard from our families and what they need most right now are necessary supplies for infants and toddlers. These supplies include: diapers, wipes, diaper cream, powdered milk and formula.
Here is a detailed list of specific requests by parents (List will be updated as requests come in).
Diapers (3 packages of each size below)
Parents brand preferences PAMPERS
Size 3
Size 5
Size 6
Baby Formula (5 large containers)
Enfamil purple
Others (15 infants and toddlers)
Wipes
Apple Juice
1% Milk
Destin Cream
Please reach out to Patricia O’Grady at: pogrady@belmontchildcare.com to arrange drop off.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Belmont Child Care Association, Inc.
A Message from BCCA
Dear Friends:
In light of the seriousness of the Coronavirus COVID 19 outbreak, the Belmont Child Care Association’s Anna House closed its doors yesterday, March 17, in alignment with Nassau County school protocols.
As the doors of Anna House have unfortunately closed, and upcoming events have been postponed, the staff of the Belmont Child Care Association will be working remotely as we continue to be true to our mission to serve the children and the families of the backstretch. While all of these measures are necessary, they do come with financial consequences for our organization as we have a large overhead which must be maintained during this closure. We are monitoring the situation closely and working with our Board of Directors to take precautionary measures to cut costs and assist our families.
We thank you for your incredible support of our programs and we look forward to a return to normal operations for everyone at Anna House and for all of our friends in the community.
Please visit our website to stay up to date as more information becomes available.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Belmont Child Care Association, Inc
Congratulations to the 2019 graduates!
When I grow up , I want to have my own train station.
On June 18, 2019, six, Anna House preschoolers were awarded diplomas as they prepare to head off to Kindergarten in September at the nearby public schools. NYRA President and CEO, Dave O’Rouke, BCCA Chairman, Michael Dubb, BCCA President, Libby Imperio, and Legislator, Laura Schaefer were all in attendance to cheer them on. Thanks to a donation from Floral Park Memorial High School's National Honor Society, each of the graduates was presented with a backpack full of school supplies in addition to their diploma!
President Libby Imperio reading the book, “When I Grow Up” by Julie Chen.
Graduates singing the Ghanian song “Cheh Cheh Kule” which translates as Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.
Graduates and the Anna House Staff.
When I grow up I want to be a ballerina.
When I grow up I want to have my own train station.
BCCA HOSTED THE 2019 SPRING FLING LUNCHEON ON THURSDAY, MAY 30
FUN AND FASHIONABLE FUNDRAISER
In homage to the longstanding hat-wearing tradition at horse races, guests wear hats to the Spring Fling luncheon. The fashionable fundraiser, held one week before the annual Belmont Stakes (June 8), included a fashion show By Veronica Beard, Americana Manhasset and an auction where guests bid for part-ownership in a thoroughbred racehorse.
“Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive and academically inspiring environment. We are committed to promoting early childhood education, molding young minds and encouraging the fulfillment of dreams,” says Joanne K. Adams, Executive Director, Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA). “The Spring Fling is one of BCCA’s most important events of the year. We honor incredible individuals and organizations from the local community and the thoroughbred racing industry who give their time and resources to BCCA. This year’s honorees, Angela Susan Anton of Anton Media Group, and the National Charity League, Garden City Chapter assisted us in raising funds which contribute to the care and education of the sons and daughters of New York thoroughbred racing backstretch workers who would not otherwise have the means for such trusted and quality child care. Each year as we raise these important funds, we have lots of fun!”
2019 Spring Fling sponsors included The Garden City Hotel, Jackson Family Wines, and NYRA. Top retailers, beauty and health service providers, and the hospitality industry from across Long Island donate in-kind raffles and auction prizes. The Garden City Chamber of Commerce is also a donor.
The 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization was established in 1998 to create a childcare center, Anna House, at Belmont Park providing early childhood education and development programs for the children of New York thoroughbred racing backstretch workers at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Race Track, and Saratoga Race Course.
2018 Holiday Shopping Event
On Saturday, December 1st Belmont Child Care Association, (BCCA) held its annual Holiday Shopping event at Belmont Park’s Turf and Field Club! Over 500 children from the backstretch families of Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack lined up to “shop” for their relatives. Numerous volunteers from the local community acted as “elves” taking each child around to pick out the perfect gift. BCCA would like to thank all its generous supporters for helping to make this cherished event possible and would like to extend an extra special thank you to the following organizations who helped spread the Christmas cheer: USMC Toys for Tots, NYRA, Coach Realtors – Garden City, the National Charity League, Inc. (Garden City Chapter), Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field, Sapienza Bakery, and the Garden City Service League of Boys.
Racing for the Children BCCA on the French Riviera
This year’s event at Saratoga National Golf Course honored Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga and was our most successful event ever!