Help on the Backstretch

A great majority of these individuals are at the track year-round and are comprised of jockeys, trainers, grooms, exercise riders, hot-walkers or racetrack personnel.

Some people, only adults who travel around the country to various race tracks, live on the backstretch. Many need food, clothing and a warm place to sleep. Chaplain Charles Patane – part of the Central Penn Division of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America – heads the effort to make their lives more meaningful and comfortable.

Chaplain Charles Patane

Patane’s chaplaincy regularly provides the following at PennNational’s backstretch: Sunday Worship & Chapel, clothing exchange, food pantry, scheduled bible studies, jockey devotions, sports and holiday programs, a drug and alcohol program, teaching English, daycare services for racetrack employees, a library, free weekly dinners, officiating marriages/funerals/baptisms and counseling on various subject areas.

Kelly and Tracy Young, who frequently visit Penn National for their horse rescue efforts, are acutely aware of Chaplain Patane’s work. They have decided to aid in whatever way possible, with particular interest with his children’s ministry and a 12-step drug/alcohol program. Current needs for the backstretch include:

• repairs to the chaplain’s Track van which transports people to local stores for supplies
• English/Spanish dictionaries and workbooks
• slide projector and screen for ministry presentations
• sports equipment, plus soda and snacks for treats during events
• single beds
• paint and supplies to redo the Activity Building for bible studies, children programs and worship services
• jeans and work shoes for the clothing exchange
• materials for an outdoor pavilion to hold special events

For more details on how you can enrich the lives of those at the backstretch, please contact Chaplain Patane at (717)469-2211 at extension 2288.