The Saratoga Casino Hotel Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the 2022 grant cycle. 

The foundation exists to support charitable and public benefit organizations whose mission is the betterment of quality of life, health and welfare of Saratoga County residents.

To qualify for a grant, organizations must be classified as a nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service and applicants must carry out services and activities that benefit the residents of Saratoga County. Activities that address problem gambling, support youth activities, senior citizens, recreation, arts and community are given priority.

“Since 2003 when VLT’s were approved by the Board of Supervisors, the County has been proud to partner with Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Harness Horseperson’s Association in running this program,” said Matt Veitch, one of two Supervisors for Saratoga Springs and the current chairman of the foundation board. “It is great that we are able to help in a small way with organizations that provide educational programs; service to our seniors; family assistance; food pantries; assistance for those with disabilities; and help with domestic violence and alcohol abuse. We are proud to give back to our community in this way.”

The historic Canfield Casino, a Saratoga Springs landmark, will be the location for a charity event to benefit Trauma and Resiliency Resources (TRR).

The fundraiser will be part of the activities scheduled for attendees of the Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga (RGCS), Aug. 15-17 at the Saratoga Hilton.

The charity event is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Canfield Casino’s  history dates to the 1870s. Originally built by John Morrissey, the founder of the Saratoga Race Course, and substantially improved two decades later by Richard Canfield, the “Monte Carlo of America” is a preserved jewel of Italian architecture. Although the Canfield stopped functioning as a gambling parlor in 1907, it established Saratoga Springs as a gambling town and opened the door for the likes of Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky, all of whom built and owned gambling establishments in Saratoga Springs beginning a mere decade later.

For the charity event, the RGCS will transform the venue to a mock casino with  food, drinks, and themed cocktails.

Proceeds will go to support TRR, a charity that uses Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP).

The 2022 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Committee announced this year’s dates and the list of participating builders for the popular annual event.

Celebrating 26 years, this annual tradition will be presented over four fall days, Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 15-16.  There will be eight locations for the new home tour event.

Participating will be Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, DSG Construction & Remodeling, Kodiak Construction, Peerless Builders, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction.  

Over the past 25 years, the community event has contributed over $1.4 million to two local charities. 

Proceeds from the Showcase of Homes benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. 

Saratoga County officials have appointed  Brian M. Miner of Halfmoon as the county’s first-ever director of environmental health at the county’s Department of Health.  

Miner will help lead the county’s efforts in forming a Division of Environmental Services as the county’s Public Health Services department becomes a full-service local Department of Health.

Miner has more than 36 years of experience as a public health leader dedicated to protecting and improving the health of the community.

He was most recently director of the state Department of Health Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection where he oversaw multiple statewide environmental health programs.  He has held many high-level public health positions at the state Department of Health in which he was responsible for developing regulations, policies, and procedures; planning and monitoring program effectiveness; measuring program performance; and providing guidance and reporting on a wide range of important public health initiatives and programs.  

Miner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental health with a minor in biology from SUNY Cortland.

Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett, chair of the Public Health Advisory Task Force said, “As we work cooperatively with New York state to develop a Division of Environmental Health, we take a significant step forward by welcoming Brian Miner as Director of Environmental Services. Brian brings a wealth of experience in the public health field, which will be invaluable as we develop Saratoga County’s first environmental health program.”

Dr. Daniel Kuhles, Saratoga County Commissioner of Health said, “Having previously worked together with Brian for a decade at the NYSDOH, I know first-hand that his expertise and professionalism is unsurpassed, and it will ensure that the county’s Environmental Health programs are the best in the State.”