Several of Delaware North’s gaming locations brightened spirits in their local communities this holiday season by making donations to local charities and assisting those in need.
Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club/Orange City Racing & Card Club
With the help of community members and associates from Delaware North’s Daytona Beach and Orange City Racing & Card Clubs, more than $2,000 was raised to purchase children’s bikes, accessories and toys for local children in need. Volusia County’s “Our Children First” organization will receive 12 bicycles, helmets and accessories. Our Children First is a 501(c)3 charity that advocates for victims of child abuse.
Hamburg Gaming
Associates from Hamburg Gaming, which Delaware North operates near Buffalo, held a basket raffle this holiday season to benefit a family sponsored through Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western New York. Associates donated goods to create more than 20 baskets for the raffle, which in turn raised $500 that was given to the charitable organization.
“Hamburg Gaming has operated with reduced staff since September but not with reduced generosity of our associates,” said Dave Sevcik, director of food and beverage at the gaming venue.
Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel
Delaware North’s team at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel joined representatives from the United States Marine Corps last week to make a donation to the local chapter of Toys for Tots, which has provided holiday gifts to needy children and families for more than 70 years.
Toy contributions were made by the patrons and employees of Jake’s 58, as well as by Suffolk OTB and Delaware North, which manages the gaming venue. Proceeds will directly benefit children throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties.
“This has been a challenging year for so many, and this was a way to make things a little brighter,” said Chuck Kilroy, general manager of Jake’s 58. “We are proud to join the tremendous volunteers at Toys for Tots in their efforts to spread holiday cheer to children and families in our community.”
Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack
Delaware North’s Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack again held its annual “Christmas Toy Drive” in partnership with the local chapter of the Salvation Army.
The two-week drive took place earlier in December and collected nearly 400 toys and $2,000 in donated funds, which was handed out to local families last Monday.
Kim Florence, president and general manager of Wheeling Island, says they’re pleased with how many locals take a part every year.
“This is really a testament to our guests and the people in our community who see a need and respond to that need. We just couldn’t be any more proud,” Florence said.
“We are very thankful. People have really been responding. We’re looking forward to getting Christmas in Santa’s bag, and getting it out to our friends,” said Mark Vanmeter, a captain from the Salvation Army.
A local TV news story about the drive can be viewed here.
Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack
On Dec. 15, Delaware North’s team at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack wrapped up its annual “Points for Kids” holiday gift drive, a tradition at the location for the past 17 years.
Each year starting at Thanksgiving, guests at Finger Lakes are invited to donate some of their player points towards the program, which are then tallied up and used to purchase toys for local foster children.
This year’s drive yielded 380,000 points (nearly $6,000 in cash value) and a group of 10 Finger Lakes associates shopped to purchase gifts for children ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers.
Once purchased, they were packaged up and delivered to the Ontario County Department of Social Services, where they were wrapped and distributed to the children last week.