NY Race Track Chaplaincy
November, 2019
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Sharing God's Love on Thanksgiving
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Robbie Siegelman, Michael Dubb and Nick Caras help out with the distribution at Aqueduct.
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Joe Appelbaum, President of NYTHA, and Kathy Locke, Membership Services Coordinator, chip in at Belmont Park.
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As you can see, Anna is delighted to receive her packages!
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On November 23rd and 25th, dozens of volunteers at Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack assembled and distributed approximately 300 bags of groceries, vegetables, and turkeys to the hard-working members of the backstretch community. We are so grateful to everyone who made this outpouring of God's love possible.
This venture was an example of the kind of teamwork that makes the NY Chaplaincy able to grow in its service every year and would not have been possible without: the key leadership of Fay Donk who organized the venture at Belmont Park; Michael Dubb, who very generously paid for all of the turkeys that were distributed; Restaurant Depot and their excellent service; a generous donation from our friend and partner Peter Brant; the Garden City Service League of Boys; donations of bags from the NY Islanders, donations of food from Faith Bible Church of New Hyde, Malverne Chamber of Commerce, Edge City Church of Mineola, Cru Boxes of Love, Salem Assemblies of God in Elmont, Church of God of Elmont, Calvary AG church of Franklin Square, NY Logos Presbyterian Church, Legacy Center, The Bridge Church of Malverne, New York Bible Assembly of God, and Precision Concierge, who organized a huge collection for the benefit of several charities.
Thank you to the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation and New York Thoroughbred Horseman's Association for their financial assistance and for volunteering that day as well.
THANK YOU to EVERYONE who made financial contributions and who volunteered in order to ensure a Happy Thanksgiving for the members of our backstretch community.
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Thanksgiving Meal Served to the Backstretch Community
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On November 26th, over 500 members of the backstretch communities of Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack enjoyed a full Thanksgiving meal. Thank you to NYRA, NYTHA, and our volunteers for making this possible.
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Girls Teen Mentoring Friendsgiving Celebration
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On November 25th, the participants in the Girls Teen Mentoring Program were served a complete sit-down Thanksgiving meal at a gathering held at the Belmont Cafė. Thank you to the members of the National Charity League of Garden City as well as our mentors for helping to serve and leading the girls in a craft. This second annual Thanksgiving dinner is becoming a cherished tradition and we are grateful for this opportunity to bond with the girls in a relaxed and fun environment. Thank you to the NY Women's Foundation for making this possible!
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It has been a difficult month for the Thoroughbred racing community as several of our dear friends and colleagues have succumbed to illness or accident. We mourn with those who have lost loved ones as we seek to provide comfort, and raise our friends in prayer. Would you like for us to pray for you or a friend or family member? Please write to Chaplain Humberto with your prayer request at
chaplain@rtcany.org.
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Field trips and other recreational activities are cherished by our youth and families, but they are more than just a fun outing. Programs Director Nick Caras never misses an opportunity to provide a life lesson to our youth, as witnessed above during a recent trip. Thank you, Nick, for all you do to keep our youth focused and on the right path, and thank you, NYTHA, for making these trips possible.
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Partnership With Local School Districts
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Thank you to the staff of the Sewanhaka School District for coming to Belmont Park to explain the workings of the parent portal, which is the chief means of communication between the district and the parents. The meeting was very well received by the parents who are now better versed in this crucial means of communication.
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General Manager Karen Chavez was honored to be invited to speak about the NY Race Track Chaplaincy at a recent meeting of AARP - Floral Park. Thank you to
Co-president Sunta Redvanly, and Program Chairman Joe Contardi for the kind invitation and for your support over the years. We appreciate you!
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The members of National Charity League of Garden City have been very supportive of the NY Chaplaincy and we were delighted to be invited to their recent Philanthropic Fair where we had the opportunity to discuss our services and volunteer opportunities. Shown above is NY Chaplaincy volunteer Johnathan Estrada at the Philanthropic Fair.
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Retreat for Women and Teens
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In partnership with the Bridge Church of Malverne and under the leadership of General Manager Karen Chavez, approximately 35 ladies and teens participated in a weekend retreat in the Poconos earlier this month. This was the first retreat which included both ladies and teens and it was very well received by all in attendance. The opportunity to get away for the weekend allowed the women and girls to relax, reflect, and share about their lives. Thank you to the Women's Foundation for their important funding of our women's programs!
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Monday Night Chapel Service and Dinner
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These gentlemen enjoyed a hot meal after a recent Monday service.
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Thank you to Joe and his team at Gonzo's Mexican Grill of Garden City South for contributing a fabulous meal!
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The NY Chaplaincy holds a chapel service for the members of the backstretch community every Monday at Belmont Park. This service is an important opportunity for those who live on the track to meet, worship, and learn. Following the service a meal is served to those in attendance.
Are you interested in a volunteer opportunity with the NY Chaplaincy? We are in need of people to cook, serve the food, and/or sponsor the meals. Kindly send us an
email for further information. We look forward to hearing from you! THANK YOU to the Garden City Service League for Boys who kindly bring a great meal once a month, and to the members of Christ Church, who not only bring a delicious meal once a month but also lead the service.
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Congratulations to Vino Rosso connections: owners Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola, trainer Tood Pletcher,
J
ockey Irad Ortiz, and groom Martin Estrada for not only winning the Breeders' Cup Classic,
but winning the best-turned out award, shown here being presented to Martin Estrada .
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Congratulations to Nancy and Peter Brooks, the winners of our VIP Breeders' Cup grand prize! Thank you to Breeders' Cup, for the generous donation of tickets and Ronald Goldstein for the generous donation of the round-trip flight, and to Beth McReynolds for representing the NY Chaplaincy at many events to promote this exciting opportunity! Mr. & Mrs. Brooks had a great time at Santa Anita for the weekend.
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Chaplain Humberto once again was honored to represent both the NY Chaplaincy and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America at the Breeders' Cup. Pictured above, Santa Anita Park Chaplain Eli Hernandez, Chaplain Humberto Chavez, RTCA President Elliott Walden, and Chaplaincy supporter Coach Avery Johnson.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saratoga Backstretch Christmas Dinner
Tuesday, December 3rd Longfellow's Restaurant (thank you to the Sullivans!)
Christmas Carnival
Tuesday, December 10th @ 6 PM Belmont Clubhouse
Christmas Lunch for the Backstretch
Thursday, December 17th (Belmont & Aqueduct)
Month of December: Several festive events are scheduled at Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack as community groups will be visiting to entertain our backstretch community
ONGOING EVENTS:
The NY Chaplaincy organizes the following events and services, held weekly, for the benefit of the backstretch community. These events are very important, particularly to those who live on the track, in order to provide healthy and safe activities during the sometimes lonely downtime. Our Food Pantry and Closet of Hope make a huge difference to all individuals and families of the backstretch community. Thank you to our individual donors, and our sponsors
NYTHA
& the
NY Women's Foundation
for making these weekly gatherings and services possible.
MONDAYS
: 6 PM Chapel Service, followed by dinner:
Belmont Rec Hall &
Saratoga Rec Hall
MONDAYS:
6 PM Bingo Aqueduct
TUESDAYS
: 6 PM Pool Tournament with prizes and a prayer service led by Christ Tabernacle Church Glendale:
Belmont Rec Hall
WEDNESDAYS
6 PM Bingo Games and Prizes.
Belmont Rec Hall
THURSDAYS
11 AM Food Pantry:
Chaplaincy office
THURSDAYS
4 PM Food Distribution to the Dormitories at Aqueduct Race Track; 6 PM Free Pizza Night
FRIDAYS
11 AM Closet of Hope Flea Market:
Chaplaincy Office
SECOND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH
: 6 PM Craft Night
Anna House
SUNDAYS 6 PM
Movie Night with snacks:
Belmont Rec Hall
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