Kris Stabler, Arlington Park's Vice President of Community Relations (center), oversees employees wrapping gifts as part of Arlington's Holiday Helpers program.

ARLINGTON'S HOLIDAY HELPERS PROVIDE GIFTS TO NEEDY NEIGHBORS

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (Dec. 15, 2000) - As part of Arlington Park's renewed commitment to increased community involvement, 36 employees participated in the second annual Arlington Park Holiday Helpers program, which provides gifts for needy families.

In conjunction with the Village of Arlington Heights Human and Disability Services' Holiday Assistance Program, the Arlington employees were assigned 42 people in 12 families to shop for. The ages of those on the list ranged from a 3½-month-old boy to a 73-year-old grandmother. Arlington Park provided a stipend for each person on the list, supplied all the necessary gift wrapping materials and allowed all employees to go shopping on company time.

Arlington Park's David Zenner (left) and Ed Jamison wrap gifts as part of Arlington's Holiday Helpers program.

"This is just one example of the type of community-related initiatives that we talked about when we hosted community leaders at Arlington in October," said Arlington Park Chief Executive Officer Scott Mordell. "The holiday season is a great time to think about giving to those around you who are less fortunate. Our Holiday Helpers program makes everyone feel good and helps us become more involved with our neighbors."

Arlington Park's Vice President of Community Relations Kris Stabler organized the racetrack's efforts. Arlington's employees were divided into nine teams of four and provided with the gender, age, sizes and gift requests for each recipient on the list. Each team went on separate shopping trips before all 36 participants gathered together to wrap all of the presents in Arlington's employee lounge on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

In its 11th year, the Arlington Heights Holiday Assistance Program had nearly three dozen sponsors, including 10 companies, participate in gift giving. All gifts, which were delivered to the agency on Thursday, Dec. 14, can either be picked up by recipients on Wednesday, Dec. 20 or will be delivered directly to the families by volunteers.

"The program is meant to help needy families," said Holiday Assistance Program Coordinator Carol Collins of the village's Human and Disability Services, "but it is more than the gifts that bring joy to these families. It gives them the feeling that someone in the community cares.

Arlington Park employees wrap gifts as part of Arlington's Holiday Helpers program.

"They are poor, they're down, and feel alone and shunned," continued Collins. "This gives them a little hope that someone is out there to help them out."

The Village of Arlington Heights Human and Disability Services provides emergency assistance for village residents.

Arlington Park, the Chicago area's premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill., merged with Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) in September 2000. Arlington Park, a featured product of the Churchill Downs Simulcast Network (CDSN), also operates off-track, simulcast-wagering facilties at Arlington Park, Quad City Downs and in Chicago, Rockford, Waukegan. For further information on Arlington Park, visit our website at www.arlingtonpark.com.

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