Night at the Races returns in Franklin Square, for the South Shore

Neighbors of Franklin Square and surrounding communities including Valley Stream are welcome to take part in Franklin Square-based nonprofit Rescuing Families’ third annual Night at the Races on March 15.

The event will be a bit different this year, as silent auctions will take the place of raffle baskets offered in the past. Long Island Silent Auctions will host the auction, offering items like sports memorabilia, designer handbags, movie memorabilia and more.

Event participants can look forward to the annual interactive horse race, where people are able to own a horse and select a rider to take part in the festivities. People cheer on horses as they go around the track and people can place bets on the horse that they believe will be the winner.

“It’s very funny, it’s very cute, and you know, everybody loves cash,” said Gina Centauro, founder of Rescuing Families. “It’s a chance to win money.”

There will also be a prize wheel that attendees can spin to win a number of prizes from for $5 a spin, including Starbucks gift cards, wine bottles, jewelry and more.

As per tradition, the event will host a derby hat competition for whoever has the craziest derby hat.

Last year’s event welcomed around 170 people, and tickets for this year’s Night at the Races are still available. Tickets for the Night at the Races the event cost $40 and can be purchased online at RescuingFamilies.org. The event will be hosted at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2718 in Franklin Square on Lincoln Road from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on March 15.

“It’s different than what we usually do, but it’s a really fun night,” Centauro said of last year’s Night at the Races. “We had a really good crowd, it was very interactive and everybody had a great time.”

Profits from the event will go towards Rescuing Families’ upcoming project at the Reyes family’s home in Valley Stream. The project will help retrofit the home to increase the home’s accessibility for Douglas Reyes, a 43-year-old man who became paraplegic when he was 18 years old after a swimming accident.

For any community members who are skilled or unskilled with tools, Rescuing Families is always open to add a helping hand to its team. For more information on how to help out, visit RescuingFamilies.org.