OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York Race Track Chaplaincy today announced the creation of the Nancy Kelly Volunteer Award which will be presented annually to a person or people for outstanding volunteer efforts in support of the organization.

Kelly, a longtime volunteer and supporter of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, served as president and vice president of the NY Chaplaincy after retiring from her long and distinguished career with The Jockey Club. Nancy passed away after a long illness on February 9, 2024.

The first recipient will be Kim Weir, the Director of Strategic Growth for Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, and an active volunteer with the Chaplaincy.

“As she did with every aspect of her life, Nancy Kelly set the gold standard for volunteerism at the Chaplaincy and we felt that this was an appropriate way to honor her memory and her legacy,” said Humberto Chávez, the executive director and lead chaplain of the NYRTCA.

“Kim Weir is deeply involved with numerous other racing community activities but always finds time to help us in an extraordinary manner and this award recognizes that commitment.”

Weir will be honored at a luncheon at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, NY on November 11, 2025. The master of ceremonies will be longtime NYRA announcer Tom Durkin.

A native of San Diego, with degrees from the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary, Weir previously served as the director of donor engagement for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

She now lives in Saratoga Springs with her husband Bobby.

The NY 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, including tickets and sponsorships for the event, may be found at www.nyrtca.org.