VOL 27 ISSUE 30, August 3, 2026
Main caption: Gate City Casino officials celebrate the recent donation to New England Donor Services from the casino’s Adopt-A-Duck campaign. Pictured (from left to right) are Mark Martino, marketing manager; Justin Conroy, casino host; Ernie Dellaverson, general manager; Jennifer Cray, New England Donor Services volunteer services program manager; Ashley Godzyk, marketing specialist; and Thomas Cullen, marketing specialist.
Gate City Casino, owned and operated by Delaware North in Nashua, N.H., on July 13 announced a donation of $7,673 to New England Donor Services after guests “adopted” 3,069 commemorative rubber ducks as part of the casino’s spring Adopt-A-Duck campaign.
The initiative raised funds while helping shine a spotlight on the life-saving impact of organ and tissue donation. The campaign invited guests to redeem 250 rewards points for a Gate City Casino rubber duck, with a $2.50 donation made to New England Donor Services for each duck adopted.
The partnership with New England Donor Services carries special significance for Gate City Casino and its team members.
In 2021, the Gate City family lost Operations Manager Dan “Danno” Decoteau in a tragic accident. Through organ donation, Decoteau’s legacy lived on by helping save the lives of others.
“Since that time, Gate City Casino has remained committed to supporting organ donation awareness and honoring Dan’s memory through charitable events, community engagement and ongoing support of the Decoteau family,” said Ernie Dellaverson, general manager of Gate City Casino.
That commitment was recognized in 2024 when Gate City Casino received the New England Donor Services Donate Life Employer Recognition Award, honoring the property’s support of donor families and advocacy for organ donation awareness. Gate City Casino leaders have worked to establish events in Decoteau’s memory and share the message of organ donation throughout the community.
The Adopt-A-Duck initiative was incorporated into Gate City Casino’s popular spring “What the Duck?” promotion, which featured duck-themed promotions and giveaways throughout May and June. While guests played for prizes that included a Jeep Wrangler, above-ground pool and summer-themed items, they also had the opportunity to support New England Donor Services simply by adopting a commemorative duck.
The campaign transformed a lighthearted promotion into an opportunity to educate guests and support a cause with deep personal connections to the Gate City team.
The $7,673 contribution will support New England Donor Services’ ongoing work to advance organ and tissue donation awareness, support donor families and facilitate life-saving transplants across New England.