MANSFIELD, Ohio – John Brown doesn’t see anything wrong with having a little fun to support a good cause. The Richland Bank president attended the Domestic Violence Shelter’s (The Shelter) ‘A Night at the Races’ Saturday evening which is the non-profit agency’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
“The thing I look forward to with this event is seeing other people that care about this community and them supporting this event,” Brown said. “It’s also fun to interact and have fun with them for this very worthy cause.”
The excitement of the crowd could be heard throughout the Youth Hall and Cafeteria at the Richland County Fairgrounds, as community members, government officials in an unofficial capacity, and even out-of-towners, cheered their horses to victory.
The annual event, sponsored by Richland Bank, Key Bank, and Rinehart, Walters, Danner Insurance Agency, was comprised of 10 races with 10 horses.
Area businesses sponsored races and people picked playful names, like “Richland B Winning,” “Overwhelmed Parent,” and “Key Biscuit,” for the 10 different horses in each race. The person whose horse won each of the 10 races got to choose a bottle of wine provided by Cypress Cellars Winery.
Attendees placed a $2 bet on whichever horse they liked and the winner more than doubled their money at $5. There were many donated items for the Silent Auction, as well as a 50/50 drawing and other betting-style games.
“We don’t always stand in front of people and tell sad stories,” said Kathy Ezawa, executive director of The Shelter. “It’s a lot of fun for people to come out and cheer on their silly-named horses, and it’s just a great time for people to come together for a really good cause.”
Westerville residents Julee Moser, Karen Perrotta and daughter, Sara, have made the drive up Ohio 71 every year to support the fundraiser.
“It’s certainly worth the trip to support the Domestic Violence Shelter,” said Moser, who attended Capital University with Ezawa where they studied the field of social work. “They’ve had a lot of different fundraisers over the years but we really like the ‘A Night at the Races.’ We have a good time.”
Brian and Diane Eichler also traveled from out-of-town to attend the event. The Akron couple made it a family affair by also visiting Brian’s brothers, Bill and Rick. Rick Eichler’s girlfriend, Peggy Harrison, is the past president and currently on The Shelter’s Board of Directors.
Brian Eichler said this is their third year coming to the event. “The money that it raises is for a good reason,” he said.
“They take care of the children and the mothers,” said Ellen Eichler. “There’s no one else there to step up and help them, so anything we can do is astronomical for them.”
Harrison has been on the board of directors for nine years. She said she admires all the work Ezawa and the staff of The Shelter do with those affected by domestic violence.
Harrison sponsored two horses and named them “I like Ike” and “I like Ike Too,” as a play on Rick Eichler’s last name and the brother’s nickname, “Ike.”
“I’ve been with [Rick] for a long time and I started collecting, from the Eisenhower era, ‘I like Ike’ buttons,” she said. “I like to wear them tonight.”
The family of brothers and their significant others said they enjoyed their time together while supporting The Shelter.
“This event is so much fun,” Harrison said. “The crowd just gets so involved and crazy. It’s just so much fun with everybody betting and hollering.”
Twitter: @angelnichole222
