News

November 4, 2015

Saratoga Casino and Raceway presents $100,000 to 16 Capital Region charities at 11th Annual Make A Difference Event

Saratoga Casino and Raceway’s 11th Annual Make a Difference event was held on Monday, October 26 at Vapor. Nearly 150 guests were in attendance for the luncheon as 16 local charitable organizations were presented with monetary donations totaling $100,000. The donations bring 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. 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; Rita 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

 

$7,500

  • Capital Roots
  • Franklin Community Center, Inc.
  • Jake’s Help From Heaven
  • Make A Wish – Northeast New York
  • Regional Food Bank/Patroon Land Farm
  • Ronald McDonald House
  • To Life!

 

$5,000

  • Agricultural Stewardship Association
  • AIM Services, Inc.
  • Nathan Littauer Foundation, Inc.
  • The Wesley Foundation
  • Unity House of Troy

 

$1,250

  • Building on Love
  • Kelly’s Angels  

“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.”