(RANSOMVILLE, NEW YORK) – The Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s 2026 Labor’s Night at the Races fundraiser that’s held annually to support the United Way of Greater Niagara at Ransomville Speedway raised nearly $24,000.

Labor Representatives said more than 900 tickets were sold for the event and the dollars raised will help the United Way of Greater Niagara carry out its mission to continue offering an array of youth development programs throughout Niagara County and the City of Tonawanda.

Labor Council President Jim Briggs told WNYLaborToday.com: “It’s testament to our (individual Union) Affiliates. They and their Members ‘are doing good so they believe others should do good and this event supports that belief.’ ‘And it also happens because of those people who get the work done.’ ‘So many’ of our Locals ‘came out to make it such a great event, including a lot of young Members who get the chance to learn what Organized Labor does.’ ‘Their participation is just nothing more than a plus.’”

Since its inception, Labor's Night at the Races has raised more than $241,000 in support of the non-profit United Way Greater Niagara, which invests in foundational youth programming and critical community initiatives throughout Niagara County and the City of Tonawanda, helping improve lives and strengthen local communities.

New at Labor’s Night at the Races 2026 was a gift card raffle to benefit the Labor Council's Union Polar Plunge team, which supports Special Olympics New York. It raised $2,005, providing an early boost toward the team's fundraising efforts ahead of the Union Polar Plunge that is scheduled for early December.

And this year’s Labor’s Night at the Races drew one of the largest crowds in the event’s history, serving nearly 900 chicken dinners throughout the evening before those in attendance headed to the stands to watch the dirt-track racing.

From setting up tables and hundreds of chairs, to operating a well-oiled food assembly line, taking tickets, distributing beverages, managing clean-up efforts and everything in between, each volunteer from a variety of Labor Affiliates, Friends of Labor and the United Way played a vital role in creating an unforgettable evening, Union Officials said.

Special recognition went out to Iron Workers Local 9, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals 237 and 2104, United Auto Workers (UAW) Locals 686 and 2571, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9434 and 277, USW District 4 Staff, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1115, and the Wilson Teachers’ Association.

And, the Labor Council extended its sincere appreciation to presenting sponsor Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, as well as the event’s associate sponsors: The Law Firm of Lewis & Lewis; The Maxwell Murphy Law Firm; USW District 4, IBEW Local 2104, and Niagara Falls Redevelopment LLC.

The Labor Council also thanked Ransomville Speedway for its continued partnership in hosting this annual tradition - and to Chiavetta's for once again providing the outstanding chicken dinner that has become a hallmark of the event.

"Labor ‘has a long and proud tradition of giving back to the communities where our Members live and work,’" Labor Council President Briggs said. "Labor's Night at the Races ‘is a shining example of the core values of the Labor Movement - solidarity, service, and community.’"