-Parishioners at Hurley’s Samaria Baptist Church in Providence Forge, VA Purchase & Bag Hygiene Items for the Initiative
(NEW KENT, VA — 7/14/2025) —- Racetrack Chaplain Jay Hurley, who is a pastor at the Samaria Baptist Church in Providence Forge, Virginia, recently began his seventh season at Colonial Downs sharing the love of Christ by ministering to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational needs of grooms, exercise riders and other horse-affiliated personnel based in the track’s backstretch area. The ten-week thoroughbred racing season kicked off July 9 and continues thru September 13.
Hurley, who hosts a Monday church service in the horsemen’s building which overlooks the track, met with his congregation prior to the meet and decided together to move forward on a project that is making a difference with workers who tend to the needs of hundreds of horses that compete in the summer months.
Hurley’s congregation purchased enough personal items to fill 100 hygiene bags which were distributed July 11 to the hardworking grooms. Another fifty bags were prepared and delivered to shut-in residents in the nearby Charles City area as part of this outreach program. Each bag included seven or eight items like deodorant and toothpaste, and some items were gender specific. Bags were distributed during a welcome back luncheon that day hosted by the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (VAHBPA). Chaplain Jay had a table set up in the lunchroom and distributed the well-received hygiene bags — blue ones for males and pink ones for females — along with bibles that were available in both English and Spanish.
“We extend out heartfelt thanks to the Samaria Baptist Church congregation for their generous donation,” said Aidan Turnage-Barney, VAHBPA Field Director. “Their kindness and compassion meant so much to our community of grooms, hotwalkers, exercise riders and support staff. The thoughtful items church members collected will go a long way in providing comfort and meeting essential daily needs for these individuals. It is encouraging to know that organizations like Samaria Church recognize and support the vital contributions these unsung heroes make in the racing industry. Their generosity is a shining example of community and the Christian service in action”.