Dear Friends,

As we turn the page from the Aqueduct meet to opening day at historic Belmont Park, we would like to thank you for making possible our services to the backstretch communities of Belmont, Aqueduct, and Saratoga.

It is our joy and privilege to know and love and serve those who work tirelessly behind the scenes in order to make our sport possible.

Whether you serve at our food pantry, send in a financial donation, check in on us, or pray for us, you are a part of this mission to provide a level of dignified service that makes the New York tracks the best places to live and work of any backstretch in the country.

Thank you, God bless you, and Happy Opening Day! We hope to see you at the track.

Blessings,

Chaplain Humberto

Thanks to the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association we were able to provide ice cream treats to the backstretch as the Aqueduct meet came to a close.

Thanks to the generosity of our friend and long-time supporter Len Green of The Green Group, our families had an absolute blast at our Family Easter Celebration. The families enjoyed games, dancing, a magic show, petting zoo, face painting, a visit from the Easter Bunny, dinner, Easter Egg Hunt, speakers, and a real fun time. Thank you to our volunteers who prepared the Easter Eggs, set up, cleaned up, served food, and organized toys including The Garden City Service League, St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Troop 4 Boy Scouts of Floral Park, and Saints Kids. Thank you to DJ Alvin of CAZZNY, Will Guzman, and Vinny Vetere for providing the great entertainment and to Maria Marrone for bringing the animals in the petting zoo.

Thank you to the New York Racing Association for allowing us the opportunity, once per meet, to give the winning groom and hot walker of the NY Chaplaincy race the opportunity to be recognized in the winner's circle. Thank you to the generous and dedicated partners of Rainbow's End Racing Stable, led by Bob Scavetta, for sponsoring the race and providing Omar and Christine with trophies and gift cards. Shown above, Bob Scavetta, right, joins the winners along with members of the staff and board of the NY Chaplaincy, and winning jockey, Ruben Silvera.

Thank you to the New Hyde Park Chapter of "MOPS" (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) for including us in their annual clothing and book swap. Approximately 30 ladies from the backstretch were able to participate in this great event.

Thank you to the representatives from Project Hope who spoke with our teens about coping with stress, with a focus on pandemic-related issues.

On March 28th, 2022, the NY Chaplaincy was delighted to break ground on the NY Chaplaincy Center in the company of community and industry leaders including representatives of the Nassau County Police Department and elected officials. The opening of the building is tentatively scheduled for the fall. Shown above, left to right, NY Chaplaincy Lead Chaplain and Executive Director Humberto Chavez, NY Chaplaincy Board President Ramón Dominguez, Founding Partner of the building, horse owner and philanthropist Michael Dubb, NYRA President & CEO David O'Rourke, NYTHA President Joe Appelbaum, and NYRA Senior VP, Operations & Capital Projects Glen Kozak.

The groundbreaking was a multi-state affair, as long-time supporter and dear friend Anne Campbell participated from South Carolina. The Chaplaincy Center classroom will be named after Anne's legendary late husband, Cot Campbell.

Continuing what has become, thanks to all of you, a wonderful annual tradition, we will again be distributing "Baskets of Blessings" to the women of our backstretch community in honor of Mother's Day this year. You may participate in this tradition by clicking HERE and sponsoring a basket or baskets.

Thank you for partnering with us in honor of the women we serve.

The Brunch is back! Our 15th Annual Brunch is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, August 17th at 10 AM at Saratoga National.

Please join us as we honor NYRA Analyst and friend of the backstretch Andy Serling and gather with our supporters. We cannot do this without you and hope to see you there!

Click here for tickets and sponsorships.

We are SO anxious to hold this competitive and exciting event after a two-year lay-off.

Our 13th annual Charity basketball game pitting the jockeys against the horseman will be held on Thursday August 4th at 6:30 PM at the Saratoga Rec Center,

Admission is free. Please Click Here to sponsor the game or donate.

Back by popular demand, Champions Talk will feature the legendary D. Wayne Lukas who will be joined by protégés Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughln, Dallas Stewart, and Mark Hennig. The MC of the event will be Rich "The Mig" Migliore. Sponsorships are available as well as a very limited number of individual seats. Click here for more info.

Our Girls Teen Mentoring Program is growing! If you think you may be interested in serving as a mentor, please email Karen Chavez for further information.

Also, we are in need of people to help with the pickup and drop-off of food donations on Wednesdays in the area around Belmont Park. For further information, please email Karen Chavez. Thank you!