Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Racing Association’s (NYRA) backstretch community has been working hard to provide essential care for approximately 1,500 horses. To show their support and raise funds for these backstretch workers, NYRA has recently launched a new charitable initiative.
Raising Funds for the Backstretch Community
This charitable initiative is a t-shirt campaign to support the backstretch community during the pandemic. NYRA is now selling limited edition t-shirts emblazoned with the inspirational messages “Saratoga Tough” and “Belmont Tough” on their online shop. The “Saratoga Tough” shirt is available in heather red, and the “Belmont Tough” shirt is available in steel grey.
These t-shirts emphasize the strength and commitment of backstretch workers to care for the horses during this tough time, and NYRA will donate all net proceeds from shirt sales in equal allotments to three non-profits that serve the Belmont Park backstretch community: the Belmont Child Care Association, the Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York, and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America.
In a press release announcing the charitable initiative, NYRA Chief Operating Officer Gordon Lavalette said, “The backstretch workers are the unsung heroes of our sport. As we move toward the resumption of live racing, we encourage fans to support the men and women whose hard work and dedication have made that possible.”
If you’d like to show your support, then visit NYRA’s online shop and purchase a t-shirt today.
