Night at the Races Provides Racetrack Thrills for a Good Cause

This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.

On Saturday, May 31, Good Shepherd Parish Hall in Patton Township will be transformed into a racetrack, complete with horse races, Derby hats and a chance to place bets and win real money. 

It’s all part of Night at the Races, an annual fundraiser benefiting the Bob Perks Fund. The evening centers on 10 real horse races shown on video screens and announced by a professional caller.

Before the event, guests are invited to purchase and name their horse for $25. Races are called using the names provided — names like “Harry Trotter,” “Red Hot Filly Pepper” and some that would make Bart Simpson proud, like “Hoof Hearted” and “Anita Cocktail.” Winners receive $50.

Attendees can place $2 bets on as many horses and in as many races as they’d like to win real cash based on odds, just like at a genuine racetrack. Prizes are also awarded to both male and female winners of a Derby hat contest. 

An additional “auction race” takes place after the first 10 races, in which people have one more chance to bid to own horses and place bets.

Win or lose, attendees can expect to have a good time, in part because of the professionals who call each race, said Cindy Ruble Brown, executive director of the Bob Perks Fund.

“They’re very good; they get the crowd very excited,” Brown said. “It’s loud and fun and exciting —really a good time.”

The event may be fun but make no mistake — it benefits a serious cause.

The Bob Perks Fund provides short-term financial assistance to cancer patients who are unable to pay for basic necessities such as rent, utilities and food while they are undergoing cancer treatments. Since its founding in 2006, it has raised and allocated over $3 million. 

In 2024, the organization broke records for the number of applicants it received (464), and the amount of money paid out to patients ($376,000). Brown expects the organization to allocate even more funds in 2025, partially due to the March addition of Bedford County to their service area which already included Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin counties. 

“We know that we will receive a lot more applications this year, not only because of the addition of a new area, but because the need seems to be so great,” Brown said. “We are already way, way ahead of where we were year-to-date last year. We are probably going to be at well over $400,000 by the end of this year if the pace continues.”

Brown said the organization hopes to raise at least $30,000 at this year’s Night at the Races, which is one of two signature events for the Bob Perks Fund. The other is the annual Rock the 80s concert held in February.

Tickets are $40, include dinner and adult beverages, and can be purchased through bobperksfund.org. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the first races starting at 6:30 p.m.

Good Shepherd Catholic Church is located at 867 Gray’s Woods Boulevard, Port Matilda.