Casino and racetrack operator Penn National Gaming has pledged to support its Hollywood Casino Aurora, as part of a multi-week fundraising drive to be hosted by the property.
Initially kicked off last month, the fundraiser is designed to raise money for the Aurora Strong Foundation and Association of Professional Police Officers, with the Penn National Gaming Foundation also set to provide a matching grant for the monies raised during the 17-day fundraiser.
Proceeds raised from food outlets, team members, raffles, and auctions will be donated to the charities to support the families of the victims of the tragedy that took place on February 15, 2019, at the Henry Pratt Company, where a fired factory worker killed five and injured at least 11 others, including six police officers.
Greg Moore, general manager of Hollywood Casino Aurora, spoke of the union felt with the city: “Hollywood Casino and our team members are proud to live and work in this great city. We stand united with the city of Aurora and its citizens, to support the families of those who lost their lives or were injured in this senseless act of violence.
“We are extremely grateful to the organisations and individuals who donated goods, services, and direct cash contributions for this extremely worthwhile cause, including our sister property Hollywood Casino Joliet.
“We look forward to raising a significant amount of money to support our community, through the Aurora Strong Foundation and Association of Professional Police Officers.”
The multi-week fundraiser culminates with a signature event on Sunday 10 March from 12pm to 6pm that will feature a charity raffle and auction, with a multitude of prizes and 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the sponsored charities.
Hollywood Casino is also donating proceeds from certain food and beverages establishment, in addition to sponsoring a ‘Blue Jeans for the Victims’ fundraiser, for employees to raise additional charitable dollars.
Certain items from the menu of its Take Two Deli will see 50 per cent of all cash proceeds donated, as is also the case from its Epic Buffet.
The Penn National Gaming Foundation was established in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, to assist the 2,000 team members at three casinos in Mississippi and Louisiana.
It now continues to help provide support for natural and man-made disasters in communities where Penn owns or operates casinos, such as Hurricanes Gustav and Harvey, as well as helping the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival shooting in Las Vegas.