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Salvation Army On The Backside

posted by Caroline Smith on April 28, 2008 Tags: , , , , , , ,
Salvation Army Ladies; (photo by: Caroline Smith)Salvation Army Ladies; (photo by: Caroline Smith)

Walking around the backside this morning, I took a note to let everyone know about a special tradition under the radar of most people. As there are many traditions surrounding the Kentucky Derby, the one I speak of is the coffee & doughnuts on the backside.

When I met Jill Byrne on the backside this morning for workouts, we could not get a start on the day without a chocolate glazed doughnut. This is like many other media partners out there.

More about the tradition… Salvation Army employees provide the early morning snacks especially for media partners as they cover morning workouts. The Salvation Army has been a partner of Churchill Downs for many years now. Churchill Downs employees volunteer their time during the year and, in return during Derby week, Salvation Army employees dedicate their early mornings to facilitating the backside doughnut tradition.

While “glazing” the morning with coffee and Krispy Kreme glory, the Salvation Army welcomes any donations. They are not actively soliciting these donations because they are simply happy to have the partnership, however if you think about the mission of the Salvation Army, know they are always welcoming any contributions.

www.salvationarmyusa.org

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Barbarazitariat

04/28/2008 9:19 pm

That's cool. I hope they're hitting up the owners and trainers as well because I've heard some bad stories about media members and gratuity ;)

But the big question is, who do they like Saturday?

MGuerndt

04/28/2008 11:28 pm

Actually, I'm pretty disappointed. There are so many worthy charities out there, including some that benefit injured jockeys or retired thoroughbreds. And instead, CD employees are volunteering their time with a church. :( Don't get me wrong, the Salvation Army does some good works, but it's a church, not a charity, and I think CD could do a lot better.

Then again, I think I remember reading that CD does some sort of fund raising for thoroughbred charities, don't they?