Representatives of Saratoga Casino and Raceway present a check for $7,500 to Franklin
Community Center officials, part of the $100,000 the casino donated recently to several charities.
Saratoga Casino and Raceway announced
donations totaling $100,000 to local charities
at its 11th annual Make a Difference event on
Oct. 26 at its Vapor lounge.
Nearly 150 guests were in attendance for
the luncheon as 16 local charitable organizations
were presented with monetary donations.
The donations brought the casino’s
support of Capital Region charities to more
than $240,000 in 2015.
Since its official inception in 2005, the annual
Make a Difference event has presented
over $1.1 million to local organizations,
casino officials said. Over $2.5 million in
monetary, sponsorship and in-kind donations
have been made by Saratoga Casino and
Raceway since opening in 2004.
“Giving back has been a foundation of
our business from the very beginning,” said
Rita Cox, senior vice president of marketing
at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. “This was a
wonderful opportunity for us to recognize the
inspiring work that all 16 of these groups do
in the Capital Region. They make a difference
every day in the lives of so many within our
community.”
The event was hosted by Benita Zahn of
WNYT. Checks were presented by Tom Wiedmayer,
general manager; Cox and Skip Carlson,
senior vice president of external affairs.
The recipients for the 2015 Make a Difference
event were:
$10,000: Boys and Girls Club of Albany, Homeless Action Committee.
A Wish – Northeast New York, Regional Food Bank/Patroon Land Farm, Ronald McDonald House and To Life!
“We are honored to be included in the
Make A Difference event again this year,”
said Kari Cushing, executive director at
Franklin Community Center. “The philanthropic
spirit at Saratoga Casino and
Raceway really starts at the top and trickles
down throughout the entire company. From
the drivers donating their fees and employees
adopting families at the holidays, to the
monetary donations and countless hours
they volunteer at our programs, serving on
our board, committees and events. The ways
they give back are endless.”