Page 8 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Spring, 2024

Industry has positive impact on communities
By Lori Beth Susman
MISSISSIPPI — Mississippi casinos mean so much to the state in terms of jobs and tax revenue, but the positive impact the gaming industry has on the state doesn’t stop there. Last year, casinos and their employees
gave back to their communities in a big way, donating millions of dollars and supplying countless volunteer hours to help people in need.
The Mississippi gaming industry’s charitable contributions have a profound impact in
the Magnolia state. By devoting time and resources to provide disaster relief, improve education and healthcare, and better the lives of those in need, casinos are leading the way and setting an example for other industries to follow.
“Giving is not just about making a donation. It is more about making a difference,” said Roscoe Greene, president and general manager at Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa, one of two casinos in Greenville.
That sentiment — which is echoed across the state — was found to be especially true
in November and December as casinos celebrated the holiday season by giving back. Casinos had no shortages of toy collections and canned food drives for those in need. Plus, employees visited food pantries to serve up meals that had been prepared by casino chefs.
The palpable generosity was everywhere. In Natchez, there is one casino which continues to make a big impact on the area. Recently
it was announced the city of Natchez will
be utilizing $50,000 from the Community Development Fund, a fund financed by Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel, to build a
new animal shelter to address the need for additional capacity. As the sole contributor to the Natchez Community Development Fund, Magnolia Bluffs has committed $273,000 for economic and community development in the city.
“Words are inadequate to express our appreciation for Magnolia Bluffs, Tim Morrissey and the Saratoga team,”
said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson. “Their tremendous support of important causes in our community has been so very much needed, these contributions to help our city at such a special time of year speaks volumes of their commitment to Natchez.”
Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs and Riverwalk Casino Hotel General Manager Cathy Beeding hold the donation check, while representatives of the 13 charitable organizations receiving the donation gather around.
Additionally, Magnolia Bluffs
donated $40,000 to two
local nonprofit organizations. The Natchez Community Stewpot and Natchez Adams County Humane Society each received a $20,000 donation during a Season of Giving reception and were recognized for their dedication and commitment to improving the community.
year with its ninth round of charitable giving, bringing their total community donations to more than $40,000. “Our team is committed to giving back. We are proud to support initiatives that provide critical support to the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said General Manager Chett Harrison. “Together with other community leaders, we’re thrilled to support these organizations that work tirelessly to help keep our Coast safe, beautiful and the special place that it is for locals and tourists.”
In December, the Biloxi property was just one of the casinos that made a difference for children during the holiday season. Golden Nugget donated 25 bikes to support Gulf Coast Community Ministries’ mission of providing for children in need. Also receiving support from Golden Nugget were Back Bay Mission, Feed My Sheep, St. Paul Ministries and Jackson County Humane Society.
In the Northern region of the state, team members at Horseshoe Tunica continued their mission of helping those in the community with food insecurity by delivering hundreds of bags of food. The latest deliveries to senior citizens came in time for Thanksgiving.
The charitable acts outlined here — and the dozens and dozens of others — have helped many on the receiving end. Casinos encourage their employees to become involved in the community, even creating employee-led groups to oversee the charitable work. The properties benefit by advancing a positive workplace culture and cultivating empathy among their workers, and employees gain so much, as well, including a sense of personal fulfillment and teamwork. Those employees walk and run to raise money, make cards to cheer veterans and the elderly and even have competitions that make giving fun.
Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel General Manager Tim Morrissey (center) helps present donation checks to two Natchez nonprofits during a Season of Giving reception.
and a brighter future.” Thirteen organizations,
including the River City Rescue Million, Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, PAWS Rescue and the Marie Corps Toys for Tots, received donations. This year’s Season of Giving event also featured a Thanksgiving lunch and dinner for local emergency response teams.
On the Gulf Coast, Golden Nugget Casino ended the
“The Stewpot and Humane Society provide essential services to the community of Natchez,” said Morrissey, vice president and general manager of Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel. “We are grateful for the work they
do and we’re honored to provide them with assistance so they can continue with their missions.”
In Vicksburg, more than $40,000 was given away during the Season of Giving donation event at Riverwalk Casino Hotel. Brock VanWye, senior director of marketing and hotel, explained the property started the giving program last year, and was pleased at how the event made the holidays happier for so many organizations in the community.
“We’re thrilled to make things merrier
once again with the second annual Season of Giving,” VanWye said. “A special thanks to all our guests for their incredible generosity over the past year. Their contributions will go a long way to giving many of those in the greater Vicksburg area a brighter holiday season —
For more stories on the positive impact casinos have in their communities, see Page 32.
8MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS SPRING 2024