Kim Weir, the Director of Strategic Growth for Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, today received the first Nancy Kelly Volunteer Award for her extraordinary volunteer efforts with the New York Race Track Chaplaincy at a luncheon held at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, NY.
The award is named in honor of the late Nancy Kelly, a former president, vice president and longtime volunteer with the New York Chaplaincy. Kelly passed away in February of 2024 and the NY Chaplaincy created this award earlier this year to honor her memory and recognize an individual who supports the organization with their volunteerism.
Said Kim, "I am deeply honored and humbled by this kind gesture from the Chaplaincy. As a volunteer, I am inspired by the legacy of Nancy Kelly's life of service. I hope that this award and celebration will shine light on the lasting impact that we can each make, every day, in the lives of our neighbors and our community when we share our time and talents."
The luncheon attracted a capacity crowd, and longtime New York Racing Association announcer Tom Durkin served as master of ceremonies. Michelle C. Borisenok, vice president of the board of the NY Chaplaincy addressed volunteerism at the organization and Ramón Dominguez, a Hall of Fame rider and the president of the board, introduced Weir and presented her with a custom hand painted horse statue by the artist Brittney Rice.
"Our organization could not serve all the people it does without the exceptional assistance we receive from volunteers and Kim really exemplifies what this award is all about," Dominguez said. "She gives generously of her time and is most deserving of this honor."
Weir is a resident of Saratoga Springs and is actively involved with numerous racing-related organizations in the area, in addition to her work with the Chaplaincy.
The New York Race Track Chaplaincy serves the NY backstretch and farming communities of Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course providing enrichment programs for children, teens and women, social services, recreational and educational programming, and non-denominational religious services.
Additional information about the New York Race Track Chaplaincy may be found at www.nyrtca.org.
