CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED DONATES $30,000 TO WILLING WARRIORS AS PART OF 2025 VIRGINIA DERBY
Posted on March 12th, 2025
~ Prince William County non-profit supports recovering servicemembers and their families with cost-free getaways, education, and recreation activities; Contribution part of $100,000 in charitable contributions to commemorate historic Virginia Derby ~
NEW KENT, Va. (March 11, 2025)—To commemorate the historic 2025 Virginia Derby, and in furtherance of its commitment to community partnership throughout Virginia, Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), owner and operator of Colonial Downs Racetrack, today announced that it has made a $30,000 contribution to Prince William-based Willing Warriors to support its mission of care and healing for veterans and their families.
To further recognize Willing Warriors and its contributions to the Commonwealth, Race 3 of Virginia Derby Day on March 15, 2025 has been named in the organization’s honor.
“The 2025 Virginia Derby is going to be a celebration of the Commonwealth of Virginia, its people, and its communities,” said Aaron Palmer, Director of Virginia Government Relations. “Churchill Downs Incorporated is proud to support Willing Warriors and its important work with this contribution and can’t wait to welcome them to the track for this exciting day of racing and camaraderie.”
“The mental health of our service members and Veterans is impacted by the strength and resiliency of the entire family,” said Shirley Dominick, Co-founder and Board President of Willing Warriors.“Proceeds raised from the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs will support cost-free respite stays for wounded, ill, and injured Warriors and their family members at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. Willing Warriors is grateful to partner with Churchill Downs Incorporated to provide a place for Warrior families to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect in a ‘Home Away From Home’ setting.”
“I appreciate Churchill Downs’ generous support of Willing Warriors through their 2025 Virginia Derby and its ongoing commitment to community-based charities and nonprofits,” said Del. Luke Torian (24th District, Prince William). “This contribution will help Willing Warriors continue its vital work, supporting thousands of veterans, military families, and service members who proudly call Prince William County home.”
“As a Marine combat veteran, I know how important it is to support recovering service members during their healing process,” said Del. Josh Thomas (21st District—Prince William). “Over the last ten years, Willing Warriors has helped over 2,600 wounded and ill service members and their families at the beautiful Warrior Retreat at Bull Run and I’m so pleased to see our community rally behind their important work. I’m deeply grateful to Churchill Downs Incorporated for their generous donation to such an incredible organization right here in the 21st District.”
Willing Warriors is a privately-funded 501 (c)(3) charitable organization based in Prince William County that offers cost-free getaways from the hospital environment where Warriors and their families can come to relax, spend quality time together, and reconnect. Its programs include more than 40 cost-free educational and recreational activities, including seminars that address the issues of dealing with PTS and TBI. The intended outcome of these retreat stays is the Warrior and their family members return to the routine of rebuilding their lives feeling refreshed and inspired.
Willing Warriors owns and operates “Warrior Retreat at Bull Run” in Haymarket, Virginia, a temporary “home away from home” for recovering servicemembers and their families.
As part of the 2025 Virginia Derby, CDI is contributing a total of $100,000 to nonprofit partners around the state. In addition to Willing Warriors, charitable contributions are being made to Feeding Southwest Virginia, James River Horse Foundation, and the American Gold Star Mothers, Hampton Roads Chapter.
CDI upholds a long tradition of corporate social responsibility with an emphasis on supporting the growth and sustainability of the equine industry and supporting meaningful health and human services. It prioritizes contributions to initiatives that enhance community well-being and shape the unique identity of the communities where it operates. In Virginia, the company has made monetary and in-kind donations totaling $5.4 million to Virginia non-profits through its Rosie’s Gives Backprogram.
The 2025 Virginia Derby will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Virginia. For the first time ever, the race will serve as a qualifying race on The Road to the Kentucky Derby with the winning horse securing a spot in the field for the 151st Kentucky Derby.
For more information about Willing Warriors, please visit www.willingwarriors.org.
For tickets or more information about the 2025 Virginia Derby, please visit www.colonialdowns.com.
