SARATOGA CASINO AND RACEWAY DONATED $250,000 TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS IN 2012

12/12/2012 3:23:02 PM

Mayor Scott Johnson offers Proclamation in support of annual event

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (December 12, 2012) – Over 150 guests attended Saratoga Casino and Raceway’s 8th Annual Make a Difference event Tuesday night, which presented 26 local charitable organizations with monetary donations totaling $100,000. Those donations contributed to an overall $250,000 provided for community support by the casino in 2012.

Since its official inception in 2006, the annual Make a Difference event has presented $715,000 to local organizations, and over $2 million in monetary, sponsorship and in-kind donations have been made by Saratoga Casino and Raceway since opening in 2004.

"We understand the importance of continued support for local organizations that make a difference in our community," said Jamie Hartman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "Our contributions ensure that the programs provided by these organizations can continue to benefit our employees, families, friends and neighbors. We look forward to continuing the Make a Difference tradition."

The 2012 event began at 5:30 p.m. inside Vapor Night Club with a cocktail hour. At 6:30 p.m., the presentation began with opening remarks provided by Skip Carlson, Vice President of External Affairs at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

"In this economy, it is increasingly more difficult to obtain the monetary support that so many non-profit agencies need to reach their bottom line," said Carlson. "This event serves as a reinforcement of the belief that these organizations must never give up on their mission."

This year’s host, Benita Zahn, of News Channel 13 read a proclamation from Mayor Scott Johnson in his absence which expressed appreciation for the ongoing support offered by Saratoga Casino and Raceway in the 70 years it has been part of the community.

"While it is perhaps best known as a widely popular entertainment venue, the Casino and Raceway has always been very active in many charitable programs and events throughout Saratoga and the Capital Region," it reads. "Over the years, their dedicated officials and staff have donated more than $2 million to over 1,000 not-for-profit organizations. This year’s event will continue the tradition providing a total of $100,000 to 26 recipients."

Zahn then began presenting the checks. The selected host each year is given the opportunity to allocate $2,500 for the organization(s) of their choice. Zahn’s selections for 2012 were Building on Love and the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, each receiving $1,250.

The other recipients for Tuesday night’s Make a Difference event were:

$10,000
Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc.    
Saratoga Hospital Foundation    
  
$5,000
Capital District Community Gardens        
Franklin Community Center, Inc.
Nathan Littauer Foundation, Inc.
Rebuilding Together, Saratoga County, Inc.         
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, Inc.
Saratoga P.L.A.N.     
Shelters of Saratoga
The Wesley Foundation       
To Life!   
     
$2,500
American Red Cross - Adirondack Saratoga Chapter - Local Disaster Relief Fund     
Cornell University Cooperative Extension - CCE Equine, Saratoga County     
Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County           
Jake's Help From Heaven    
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children          
Operation Adopt A Soldier, Inc.      
Saratoga Bridges       
Saratoga Center for The Family      
Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar            
Schenectady Community Action Program, Inc.     
Schoharie Area Long Term (SALT)           
The Prevention Council       
Wildwood Foundation, Inc.

"This brings to $20,000 the amount of money Saratoga Casino and Raceway has donated to this vital new service that will provide primary, mental and dental health care to those people who reside in our community who are uninsured, or underinsured," said Terry Lee, Executive Director of the Saratoga Hospital Foundation. "They understand the frustration and fear people carry with them when they know they can’t afford to take one of their children to a doctor because they don’t have the money."


 
Terry Lee of the Saratoga Hospital Foundation receives a $10,000 check from Rita Cox, Senior Vice Presidentof Marketing and External Affairs at Saratoga Casino and Raceway during the 8th annual Make a Difference event.

Jim LaVigne, Executive Director of the Saratoga Sponsor-a-Scholar program said, "We are in our fifth year and currently have 48 young scholars on board, 28 of whom have graduated high school and are attending college. When fully implemented we will be positively influencing 70 young lives at any point in time who belong to this community and who will at some point give back to the fabric of this community. We only are able to provide this great program through the generosity of those like the Saratoga Casino and Raceway and we are eternally grateful to them."


 
Lew Titterton, Member of the Board of Directors for Saratoga Sponsor-a-Scholar received a $2,500 donation toward the program from Saratoga Casino and Raceway during the 8th Annual Make a Difference event

About Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Saratoga Casino and Raceway, located on Crescent Avenue in Saratoga Springs, NY, features over 1,700 slots, electronic table games, Vapor Night Club, two full-service restaurants with buffets, a casual dining restaurant, three full-service bars, deli and a variety of guest services including valet parking and coat check. Operating hours for the gaming facility are 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. every day. Simulcast races can be viewed seven days a week and live harness racing runs March through mid-December. For a full racing schedule and additional information, please visit www.saratogacasino.com or call 800-727-2990. Must be 18 years of age or older to play video gaming machines or wager on horses. Please play responsibly.

Contact Information:
Crystal Beauchemin
Marketing Media Specialist
cbeauchemin@saratogagaming.com
(518) 581-5730

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