COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Ribbon-cutting for Pine Grove highlights volunteers
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The Spa City has once again shown how full it is of residents who are caring, compassionate, and willing to help others.
Pine Grove is a small community of dwellings on Pine Street, near the Knights of Columbus and the Pine Grove Community Church.
During the summer, the cottages are occupied by the backstretch workers who are an essential part of the Saratoga Race Course, and their families. This setup allows families to stay together during racing season without having to spend a fortune on hotels and long daily commutes. It’s been in operation for about 13 years now.
“It’s a safe space for the kids to be,”explained Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus. “There’s a play area for them. It’s much better than them being at the track with all the crowds and craziness.”
Admittedly, this year the crowds aren’t as much of a problem due to COVID-19, but keeping the kids safe while their parents are working at the track is always the best option.
Last year, backstretch workers and their families occupied 44 of the cottages at Pine Grove. This year, only 10 are being used. It is hoped that next year, with the coronavirus under control and things back to normal, the cottages will be back at full occupancy.
Nick Caras is the program director for the New York division of Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCANY), the organization that provides resources for backstretch workers and their families at all three of the state’s race tracks.
Caras had a vision for Pine Grove, one of cottages and cabins that were fresh and welcoming for the families that would be staying at them - matching linens, a vase of flowers, and a note welcoming the families to their summer dwellings.
Caras reached out to Kim Weir, a volunteer with the organization who is also heavily involved in Saratoga’s racing community - her day job is with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
“I said, ‘that should be doable.’ I put the message
out there asking for teams to sponsor a cabin to clean because I knew I wanted a team effort,” explained Weir, who took on the role of volunteer coordinator. “We knew we were only going to use ten of the cabins this year, so we asked for ten teams. Before I knew it, we had all ten sponsors.”
Each team was in charge of one cabin, assigned by lottery at the start of the project. Working over the span of two weeks, the ten teams - made up entirely of volunteers - cleaned the cabins from top to bottom, made renovations, and poured their hearts and souls into giving the dwellings a loving, personal touch.
“The minimum was what Nick saw in his vision - fresh-smelling cabins, matching linens, flowers, and a note,” Weir said. “But every team went above and beyond that. They hung pictures, donated food and toys, gave masks and hand sanitizer, it was amazing.”
Weir continued, “All of these individual Saratoga citizens said, ‘I want to make this a place where I would be comfortable.’ And all these teams are now asking what else they can do.”
At the ribbon-cutting for the renovated cottages, Chaplain Humberto Chavez of RTCANY expressed his gratitude as he described Saratoga Springs as his home.
“It’s like no other,” he said at the Thursday morning ceremony. “It’s unique, filled with people who give back constantly.”
“You’re definitely making a difference in people’s lives,” agreed Caras, speaking about all the volunteers.
Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner said, “The race track is the heart of Saratoga Springs, and the backstretch workers are the heart of the racing community. Making sure the families can be together during the summer is so important.” “It’s exciting because it’s a start,” said Caras. “The love, care, and compassion that these teams have shown has made me up my game. Everybody’s working, but why not go that extra mile?”
The ten teams that gave the Pine Grove cabins and cottages their beautiful makeovers are: -Impressions of Saratoga -The Dominguez Family -Habitat for Humanity -The Brown Family -The Brindle Family and the Weir family, who partnered together -The Lautenberg Family -Saratoga Springs Friends of Recreation
-Social Concerns Committee (PNECC)
-Saratoga Immigration Coalition
-Temple Sinai/ Bread & Torah -Friends of Spa City “They gave, they worked, they cared, and they welcomed,” said Weir of all of the volunteers. “My hope is that they will be an inspiration for next year. We’re going to need even more help next year.”
To get involved with the Race Track Chaplaincy, including volunteer and donation opportunities, visit www.rtcany.org.