(RANSOMVILLE, NEW YORK) – In one of the most unique Labor-sponsored fundraisers in Western New York Union History, the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s 2024 Labor’s Night At The Races to benefit the United Way of Greater Niagara raised more than $16,000 - bringing the 15-year total of this annually held fundraiser to more than $225,000.

“Labor’s Night At The Races ‘happens because Union people care about each other,’” Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs tells WNYLaborToday.com. “We’re ‘helping families in this community in order to make their lives better in many ways.’  It’s just so rewarding because Labor’s helping of lot of people that we don’t know - but care about.’”

“It is a ‘very large sum’ of money ‘in a single night, but it’s just a piece of what we do as Organized Labor,’” Briggs continued.  “This is a ‘single’ (Labor fundraising) event that ‘ranks near the top.’  ‘It’s not just that Labor is at the bargaining table.’  ‘We are there for you.’  And when you see the ‘smiles (on the faces of Union Members and their families who attend the event), it’s worth way more than any money that’s raised.’”

The $16,129 that was raised at the event this Summer pushed the grand total for its 15-year run to more than $225,000, United Way Labor Liaison Bill Jakobi tells WNYLaborToday.com, and - he added, this year’s Labor’s Night At The Races drew a record crowd of more than 700.

“People get engaged in this ‘because it’s something different,’” Jakobi said.  “It’s ‘just another example of Organized Labor giving back to people who need help.’  ‘And it just seems that Labor continues to go above and beyond when it comes to Labor’s Night - it’s phenomenal and I couldn’t be any prouder of our Unions and their Members.’  ‘I am so glad to be part of this.’”

Dollars raised at Labor’s Night At The Races goes to benefit 39 community programs that are funded by the United Way of Greater Niagara across this Western New York County, including - but not limited to, the Boy’s and Girl Scouts organizations, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, youth counseling services, credit counseling services and a variety of family and health services.

“It is a ‘great’ event,” United Way of Greater Niagara President and CEO Andrea Gray tells WNYLaborToday.com.  “The United Way ‘relies so heavily on our support from Labor.’  ‘It means a lot.’  ‘They are such a big part of who we are.’  ‘It’s a partnership that we want to grow.’  It’s a ‘huge part’ of our mission.  ‘I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the support the United Way receives from Labor,’ as well as from Labor’s Night At The Races.”

Both NOLC Labor Council President Briggs and Jakobi made it a point to single out those businesses and Friends of Labor who annually help support Labor’s Night at the Races, including its major sponsors: United Steelworkers (USW) District 4; Highmark/BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York; the Law Firm of Lewis & Lewis; the Law Firm of Maxwell and Murphy; and M&T Bank.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: 2024 Labor’s Night At The Races Photos Courtesy Of The United Way Of Greater Niagara.