Killbuck VFW hosts ‘Night at the Races’ Oct. 4 to support John Zickefoose

Horse racing is always an exciting adventure, but coming soon will be an opportunity for the public to enjoy a night at the races while donating to an important cause, whether it is dining, watching the races or becoming a sponsor.

A Night at the Races is a fundraising event, with all proceeds going to pay medical care and treatment expenses for John Zickefoose, who at 56 years of age was diagnosed with end-stage pancreatic cancer.

Both Zickefoose and his wife Sunny are lifelong residents of Holmes County, John having served his country faithfully as a member of the U.S. Army, coming home and working for the Holmes County Highway Department.

A Night at the Races will take place Oct. 4 at Killbuck VFW Post 7079. There will be a barbecue chicken dinner with noodles, baked beans, a roll and dessert served from 4-6 p.m., a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and horse racing from 6-10 p.m., where bets may be placed to win cash prizes. There also will be a tip board and door prizes throughout the evening.

Event co-coordinator Jesi Archer said anyone who has ever met John Zickefoose won’t soon forget a man she said is always willing to give whatever he can, whenever he can.

“John’s just a great guy, through and through,” Archer said. “He’s one of those people that everyone loves being around. He has helped us out here at the VFW so many times and at countless benefits by doing our steaks or smoking our pork or chicken. You can count on John to do anything you ask of him. He’s always been that giving person who enjoys giving back to others.”

As Zickefoose battles cancer, this is a chance for everyone to show that same giving spirit and support.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in the Gulf War and Desert Storm, Zickefoose has two children and 10 grandchildren.

Archer said Zickefoose is as genuine as it comes, and when friends learned about the news of his cancer, it hit home hard for everyone.

Individual race tickets are $25 pre-ordered or $30 at the door and include dinner, entrance to the horse race and prize drawing entry. A chicken dinner only is $15.

Tickets are currently available online at www.eventbrite.com or in person at the Killbuck VFW Post 7079.

For those not familiar with A Night at the Races, it invites patrons to enjoy an evening of 10 previously run horse races. Throughout the evening attendees may place $2 wagers on the horses they hope are going to win for each race. Payouts tend to be $4-$12 per wager. The final race of the evening is typically the auction race with horse naming rights for each horse auctioned off to the highest bidder just prior to the race.

The evening comes complete with an emcee who announces each race.

“It’s a fantastic evening of fun,” Archer said. “We’ve done some in the past, and it gets pretty wound up in there. Everyone’s hooting and hollering having a blast.”

She said there are race programs featuring all 10 races, with tons of sponsorships available.

Additional information can be found on the Killbuck VFW Post 7079 Facebook page.

There are two ways for the public to get involved with this project.

First is the opportunity to donate items to the auction or raffle; second is donating monetarily to the horse racing event. A Tier 1 sponsorship is any donation of $100 or less while Tier 2 is any donation above and beyond that amount.

All businesses that donate will receive advertisement at Night of the Races. Tier 1 sponsors will be noted in the race program and announced on social media while Tier 2 sponsors will have their business advertised in a large ad display in the program, on social media, announced throughout the event and advertised on the big screen during the race. In addition, they will be advertised at the Killbuck VFW banquet hall during events for one year.

Business sponsors can email their preferred advertisement to jesiandshea@gmail.com.