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TCA Gives School Supplies to Backside Workers' Children

More than 2,500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies will be distributed.

Children of Churchill Downs backstretch workers attend youth programming provided by the Backside Learning Center

Children of Churchill Downs backstretch workers attend youth programming provided by the Backside Learning Center

Linda Doane

Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) has received a generous grant from an anonymous donor to provide backpacks and school supplies for children of backside workers across the country. More than 2,500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies will be distributed to school-aged children.

"A generous donor approached TCA with the goal of directly supporting the educational needs of children of backstretch workers," said Erin Halliwell, Executive Director of TCA. "We were excited to bring this idea to life and partnered with our long-time grant recipients, the Race Track Chaplaincy of America and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, who helped identify the number of children in need through their network of chaplaincies. We are incredibly grateful to this donor for making this initiative possible."

"Providing backpacks and school supplies to children in the backstretch community is more than simply preparing them for the school year, it is an investment in their future," said Humberto Chavez Executive Director and Lead Track Chaplain, New York Race Track Chaplaincy.

"When we support the education and well-being of our backstretch families, we strengthen the entire community. Efforts like this remind us that caring for one another locally can have a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the racetrack and ultimately impacts communities across our nation."

TCA will distribute the backpacks and supplies to 33 race track chaplaincies, where chaplains will deliver them directly to families over the summer ensuring children feel ready and supported for the next school year.

To learn more about TCA and support our work please visit TCA.org.

This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.