Belmont Jockeys visit Ronald McDonald House

Jockeys from the Belmont Stakes and their bugler thrilled children and their parents staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island when they visited before the Belmont Stakes.
“I’ve been here many times visiting the house,” Sam “the Bugler” Grossman said on June 5. “I do a lot of charity work, but this is the most rewarding because we walk away feeling grateful for everything we have.”
Located in New Hyde Park, the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island “provides families a home-away-from-home during their child’s treatment at local hospitals” and is frequently visited by guests like the jockeys and the Rockettes.
The kids had the chance to ride on two horses and a cart pulled by a nine-year-old miniature horse named Licorice, provided by Islip’s Lollipop Pony Parties on Thursday June 5.
“It’s beautiful,” said Geeta Ramouter, as she looked at her nephew riding a horse. “Look at the look on that child’s face, it’s priceless.”
Grossman entertained onlookers as he played the infamous racing music on his coach horn; the long, golden instrument that Grossman said is rooted in mail calls.
“It’s been a tradition for the jockeys and Sam to come,” said Robert Weitzner, president of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. “It’s great for them to be able to take the time to make these kids feel good.”
The jockeys have been visiting the house before the Stakes for the past 14 years, said Susan Leisen, Executive Assistant for the house. “The first thing they do is speak to the kids. You can see how touched the jocks are to be able to bring a smile to the kids’ faces.”
Patty Raabe, who said her 13-year-old daughter Victoria is having her 40th surgery in July, looked on as Victoria rode around the lawn. “I think it’s wonderful what they do for the kids,” she said. “This is our home away from home.
“No one wants to see kids like this, but this makes them happier,” Raabe said. “They go through enough, you know.”