What are you doing this weekend? Yes, this weekend–June 14th and 15th, 2013. Yes, I’m talking to you–horse racing fans and professionals. Saratogians. Residents of upstate New York, Vermont and Planet Earth. Humanitarians and curmudgeons, alike. (“Curmudgeon” = those who normally wouldn’t walk across the street to help anyone but themselves.)
Whoever you are, wherever you are, you have before you the opportunity to have a great time and help raise money for the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, New York division.
Keep reading, or you won’t get the info you need to join in the fun.
Keep reading, or…I’ll know…
“What the heck is the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, New York Division?” you may ask.
The RTCANY is that group of remarkable souls who enrich, bless and enliven the lives of the wonderful women and men who work at the three NYRA tracks (Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga). Directed by their fearless leader, Chaplain Humberto Chavez, RTCANY brings joy, comfort and counsel to more people than you can count, every day of every year, 24/7/365.
(In the event that you’re someone who thinks that beautiful horses just appear magically on a race track, ready to run–you don’t know the half of it. Track workers are those dedicated, horse-loving people who are in the barns at tracks at 4AM–feeding, bathing, loving and evaluating the gorgeous horses you see on the track. Race horses are a lot like babies–they need humans to take care of their daily needs. The committed hearts who do this hard, hard labor don’t do it because they think it’s a ticket to uncountable riches: they do it because they love horses, and they can’t imagine doing anything but working with horses every day of their lives.)
But those hearty souls are humans, too: they have needs–spiritual, emotional, physical, medical.
They have the same needs as you–as all of us.
Mother Teresa said, “God has no hands but ours.”
She didn’t mean, “God has no hands but somebody’s else’s,” she really did mean that every human has the potential and the obligation to extend the love of God, and to do divine work, right here, right now.
But we have to want to participate in the process. No, it’s not the job of someone else: like a rich tapestry, all live is interwoven. We all take care of each other, at various times.
Sometime, it’ll be your turn to need some kind of support–and I know that someone will be there for you. Whether you need a home or just a shoulder on which to cry–you will get what you need, when you need it.
I’ll bet that your life is probably pretty good right now.
Well, praise the Lord and pass the hors d’oeuvres! This very weekend, you have the chance to eat some great stuff, buy things that you need or want and to network with other community-minded people.
The Jockey Club does far more than register Thoroughbreds, you know. Oh, you didn’t realize that? The Jockey Club (U.S.) does many great things for both horses and humans, and this weekend they’re sponsoring the Bizarre Bazaar–in Saratoga (Saratoga Springs, New York, USA)–for the benefit of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, New York.
And what is a Bizarre Bazaar? It’s a lively event at which a vast array of cool stuff will be available for purchase. Need a piano? Fly fishing rods? A sauna, furniture or artwork for your walls? Bizarre Bazaar’s gotcha covered. If you need or want it, it’ll probably be there, waiting for you. If you’re in the mood just to shop for something that you neither need nor want, but which will make you smile–Bizarre Bazaar’s got that, too.
Now, here’s the deal: You are all invited to descend upon the magnificent building known as Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga this Saturday, June 15th, from 9AM – 1PM. Admission is FREE, and you’ll have the time of your life going through all the amazing things that will be available for purchase. Why go to the mall on a Saturday, to buy the same stuff that everyone else will buy? Spending dough at the mall won’t give you a treasure to take home, something unique that delights your soul.
And mall shopping won’t provide funds to help the RTCANY continue their good works of great love.
You know that you’ll be out and about in Saratoga this Saturday–sipping lattes at your favorite bistro and people-watching. Step off Broadway–walk a few steps behind Starbucks, to 25 Washington Street–and there’s the Universal Preservation Hall. (You really can’t miss it.)
You’ll have the time of your life–buy some things that will charm your life–and get to pat yourself on the back because you’ve contributed to a profoundly worthy cause.
🙂
But wait, there’s more–If you want some REALLY BIG FUN–come the night before, to the Preview Cocktail Party. On Friday, June 14, from 6PM – 9PM, you can spend a measly fifty bucks and buy the things that delight you, in advance. For $50 you’ll also get cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and meet some of the grooviest people in horse racing. (And they’ll get to meet you. Cool, huh?)
The Bizarre Bazaar and Preview Cocktail Party are part of the smashing Saratoga150 celebration. And, if you’re a Saratoga Racing Season Gala Fan: the Preview Cocktail Party is the first such event of the 2013 race meet. (We regionals all watch the papers for all the galas about town during racing season, every year. This is your chance to help kick off the season early.)
Big Bonus: You get to say that you supported the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, New York, and The Jockey Club’s continuing work to bless the lives of people who work in the industry.
In a nutshell:
Bizarre Bazaar Preview Cocktail Party:
Friday evening, June 14th, 6PM – 9PM
$50
Bizarre Bazaar:
Saturday, June 15th, 9AM – 1PM.
Free Admission
To buy tickets for the Preview Cocktail Party, or for more information:
OR:
(516) 488-6000, x 4063
* Be there, and have a groovy time.
* Be there, and show The Jockey Club that you appreciate what they’re doing, and the RTCANY that you care.
* Be there, or be square.
