The racetrack ministry at Rockingham Park on Friday rewarded some of the children of families who have raced at Rockingham Park this summer with gift bags filled with new supplies as the kids get ready to start the school year

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The kids, who will enter grade levels from kindergarten to high school senior this fall, were presented with their gift packs by Lee Alphen, the chaplain at the track and the director of the ministry, and Ann Halloran of St. Joseph's Parish in Salem.

"These are all great kids who worked with their parents' horses all summer and their families are part of the ministry," said Alphen. "We got to be good friends with them and they are all really nice kids who are hard workers. We wanted to recognize what great kids they are, and also reward them for it. So we got them the supplies so that they can start the year off right, and at the same time have something to remember Rockingham Park by. We also want them to remember that God loves them."

The children were honoured in a winner's circle celebration and they are Jamie Rankin (9), Stefany Rankin (13), Jessica Rankin (17), Kelsie Ingraham (12), Steele Stratton (8), Naomie Beaulieu (5), Tammarra Carlstrom (17), Shaun Carlstom (15), Sheryl saunders (11), Christine Smith (13), Matthew Quinn (12), Emily Quinn (8), Tyler Quinn (7), and Brenda and Ricky Quinn, who are both starting kindergarten.

"We gave them their supplies in the winner's circle because they are all winners," Alphen said.

Halloran, who was an elementary schoool teacher at the Barron Schoool in Salem for 39 years, selected the age-appropriate items for each child's individual gift bag. The supplies included books, pencils, pens, crayons, notebooks, map books, work books, and markers, and each child found special surprises inside the bags as well.

"I really enjoy doing this and each of these children are very caring, and thus deserving," said Halloran. "The new supplies will help each of them get the new school year started off on the right foot."

(Rockingham Park)