Q & BeBrave A Do
Your Thing
Interview by Holly Gregor Photography by Melissa donald
Kate Richards wilt: Auction It was the time to say, ‘OK, all this has happened. co-chair of this year’s “Race For Grace.” You got my attention, Lord. What do you want?’ When we get dragged into the negative things in life, it’s hard to be creative in a positive way. I accepted the things that happened. When one door closes, another one opens.
Kate Richards Wilt is the auction co-chair of this year’s Race For Grace, the main fundraiser for the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy (KRTC). This organization tends to the religious, spiritual, and physical needs of the backside workers at Churchill Downs. It also offers individual counseling and a health clinic, runs a food pantry, supplies donated clothes, and helps with transportation.
Some people don’t get past the anger. What makes you different?
I’m no different. You have a basic choice. You can either wallow in it or you can say, ‘I accept what You’re saying. You’re right, Lord. I’m going to get on with it. And You are going to help me.’
How did you get involved with the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy?
What do you want people to know?
My journey with the Chaplaincy really began in 2012. I lost a ton of money on my company, My Racing Heart Coffee. The same year I had to put two of my dogs down, one right after the other. Steve, my husband, almost died in surgery, and my brother died suddenly. It’s the type of thing that makes you think. ‘Lord, what do you want?’ It just came to me. I had already been involved in KRTC.
I want them to know there is a village (at the backside of the track). And that it takes a team to get a horse ready to go on the track and that a lot of those team members are people they don’t see on television. These people have needs. Many of them don’t have transportation, so they don’t have the capability of doing the normal things like going to the barber shop, shopping for dinner, or going to church. So what we try to do is bring those services here to them. We try to give them a bit of spiritual support and human services. There are still things that need to be done.
What has happened since you started volunteering for KRTC? I just love it! It’s satisfying when you’re doing what you really want to do. You realize you do have something that’s special. It underscores that. Sometimes women are put into situations in corporations, even with other women, when you learn defense rather than advocacy and you have to constantly question the uniqueness of your idea or concept or your artistry or
What advice do you have for women?
Hair and make-up by Jade Mulgrew
an application you’ve come up with...a solution to a problem.
Why this full-time job…with no pay?
I have always loved racing. When I was 6 years
old, my great aunt and grandmother took me to the track in New York. I loved dressing up and drinking Shirley Temples. It was very Southern. The track was my favorite
atmosphere. I just never got over it.
What moved you forward?
It’s a challenge to get yourself back up. I no longer focus on ‘why me?’
Pray and thank God for the gifts He has already brought you. Whether you share it at your local church, a community, a children’s home, any kind of environment…just bring it!
This year’s event, Race for Grace, will be April 29 from 6-9pm at Millionaire’s Row at Churchill Downs. The guest speaker will be Ray Lewis, former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. For tickets and online auction items including custom-made Derby hats, go to kychaplaincy.org. 32
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Today’s Woman