Pat Elustondo (HOLA member), Janet Volpe (HOLA President), Karen Chavez (RTCA Secretary), Omar Aracena (RTCA Reception), Stephanie Amezcua (RTCA Volunteer), Ana Moreno (RTCA Volunteer) and Yvette Rooney (HOLA Vice President). Each year HOLA of Garden City runs a backpack & school supply drive to help the children of Long Island. The beneficiaries this year were the children of families that work at the Belmont Race Track. With the generous donations from its members, HOLA collected over 30 backpacks & school supplies for children in grades K-4th. The Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) New York Division, located at the Belmont Race Track, and HOLA members distributed backpacks on September 3rd, 4th & 8th at both Belmont and Aqueduct Race Tracks.

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) provides “Closet of Hope” which supplies clothing, household items and furniture, as well as “Pantry of Life” which provides a food pantry for workers. RTCA also offers educational opportunities and Ministerial programs. HOLA of Garden City held a fundraiser two years ago to help send the children of the Belmont Race Track to summer camp and has been working with Chaplain Humberto Chavez in various ways.

RTCA is in constant need of food, clothing, furniture, baby items and school supplies throughout the year. If you wish to help by volunteering or making any type of donations please e-mail HOLA at holagardencity@yahoo.com, or contact RTCA Omar Aracena at 516-488-6000 x4063 or e-mail him at rtcanyreception@aol.com for further information.

Thanks to all our HOLA members and friends for making this backpack drive successful!