Mention the words “horse racing” and the words “triple crown” almost automatically come to mind.

Fans of horse racing, both in terms of the races themselves and the wagering that they inspire, know that the Triple Crown events are the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and that Triple Crown-winning 3-year-old thoroughbreds generally have been few and far between, although there have been exceptions, such as during the 1970s.

Those facts aside, perhaps the most memorable horse in the Triple Crown series was Secretariat — Big Red — who set records in all three Triple Crown races in 1973 and continues to be revered in any serious, informed discussion about the sport.

And, it is in the spirit and strength of Secretariat that we want to talk about another important event, this one in the Altoona region. That event is the annual Season of Sharing campaign, which each year since 2005 has sought to aid a worthy cause within the local area.

Last year’s recipient was the Central PA Humane Society, which continues to do a remarkable job on behalf of animals in need of permanent homes, including those that have suffered abandonment and forms of cruelty and outright abuse.

This year’s recipient involves another kind of animal – horses – but the most important beneficiaries of this year’s Sharing campaign are the people who the horses in question will help through the therapeutic benefits they will provide.

The organization at the center of this great mission is Dreams Go On Inc., a nonprofit that over the past 35 years has been a godsend to individuals who are in need of its special kind of helping-others mission.

The legendary race horse Secretariat used his powerful winning instinct to grow to greatness, and Dreams Go On hopes to build powerfully on what it already has been able to achieve in order to add to its success stories — quiet successes when stacked up against Secretariat’s but, in many ways, as important or more important, with more destined to come.

As a hard-working nonprofit dedicated to its goals and aspirations, Dreams Go On’s degree of achievement relies not only on the professionalism of its staff and committed volunteers, but also upon financial help from others who recognize the importance of what it does.

The Season of Sharing campaign is a great fit for the organization’s financial need and the ability of the campaign to encourage people to open their wallets and pocketbooks on its behalf.

The partnership of the Mirror and Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation in conducting the campaign and administering the funds collected ensures that every dollar donated will go to Dreams Go On.

Contributors need to remember that every dollar donated will be tax deductible — and greatly appreciated. The Mirror and foundation consider it a great privilege and pleasure to aid such a worthy cause.

Secretariat won his races by getting a great start; it is the hope of the Mirror and foundation — and certainly Dreams Go On — that this year’s Season of Sharing campaign likewise will get a great start through the generosity of people of this region and remain strong through the holiday season –right up to the campaign’s “finish line.”

Horse racing enthusiasts continue to mention Secretariat in their conversations. It is to be hoped that this year’s Season of Sharing campaign on behalf of Dreams Go On will evoke fond recollections many years from now.