NYRA Students to the Starting Gate Kicks Off in Saratoga

NYRA launched “Students to the Starting Gate,” an initiative providing 500 backpacks with essential school supplies to community organizations serving families in Queens, Nassau and Saratoga Counties, the organization announced Monday.

The program begins Tuesday, Aug. 26, when NYRA staff and Saratoga’s mascot Gallop will visit Saratoga City Center at 5 p.m. to distribute backpacks and supplies to students at the 2025 Salvation Army Back to School Expo.

NYRA has already provided students in the Elmont Union Free School District with backpacks during an Aug. 9 event organized by the Jamaica Square Improvement League.

“New backpacks can help children feel confident, especially when they pick it out themselves, which they do,” said Claudine Hall, President of the Jamaica Square Improvement League. “This program is helping to make a difference in the lives of a lot of students and their families.”

In addition to the Salvation Army, NYRA is donating backpacks to several community organizations and non-profits including:

• Showing Hearts Foundation (Queens County)
• Corinth Central School District (Saratoga County)
• Mechanicville Area Community Services Center (Saratoga County)
• Gateway Youth Outreach, Inc. (Nassau County)
• Franklin Community Center (Saratoga County)
• Universal Interactions (Nassau County)

Prior to the conclusion of the 2025 summer meet on Labor Day, Sept. 1, NYRA will provide special offers on tickets and hospitality at Saratoga during the final week — running Wednesday, Aug. 27 through Monday, Sept. 1.