Casino Rama has been closed for eight months, and local organizations that have benefited from its charitable program are feeling the loss.
Through its Casino Rama Cares program, the business has been The Sharing Place Food Centre’s largest corporate donor year over year.
“They were our No. 1 donor. It was a massive deal,” said Sharing Place executive director Chris Peacock. “It wasn't just about the huge organization. The employees were contributing.”
They donated more than 100 turkeys to The Sharing Place’s holiday hamper program. Employees also contributed cash and other food donations.
“We’d show up at Thanksgiving and we’d have to make a second trip,” Peacock said, still sounding surprised, and grateful for the employees’ generosity.
With the Casino Rama Cares program suspended during the facility’s shutdown, “we’ve had to spend more time and energy reaching out to other corporations to make up that loss,” Peacock said.
The Sharing Place has received support from other businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not on the same level.
“It’s hard to find an organization that has the scale and reach that they had,” he said. “We’re being sensitive to the pandemic. It’s a tough time. Some companies are doing well; others are really worried. There’s no longer the large donations that were coming in before COVID, from a corporate standpoint.”
Peacock noted The Sharing Place isn’t the only organization that was supported through Casino Rama Cares.
The Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter was aided by the program, though not to the extent The Sharing Place was.
“Usually, when we’d apply, they’d step up right away,” said Lynn Thomas, development co-ordinator with the Lighthouse’s Building Hope campaign.
The support helped cover the cost of small appliances and utensils, among other items.
“They also used to send a huge team to Coldest Night of the Year,” Thomas said of the annual fundraiser, noting the casino has sent a team for the past five years, raising thousands of dollars to help combat homelessness. “We know they have a heart for charities in the area and supporting the vulnerable population.”
Christine Hager is chair of communications ministry at St. James’ Anglican Church. Casino Rama Cares funding has previously ensured the church had enough turkey to serve at its annual, free Christmas dinners.
Hager used to be involved with The Sharing Place and Couchiching Jubilee House and said those groups, too, received funding from the program.
“It’s a real shame. These sort of things, when they’re gone, are hard to replace,” she said.
The processing of applications to Casino Rama Cares is suspended, but it doesn’t look like it will disappear altogether.
“As our venues are allowed to reopen and resume normal operations, we will be able to begin reviewing pending applications and pick up where we left off with our community engagement activities,” said Rob Mitchell, director of communications and public affairs with Gateway Casinos and Entertainment.
Since Gateway acquired Casino Rama in 2018, Casino Rama Cares has assisted more than 300 charities and community groups to the tune of more than $350,000 in financial and in-kind support, Mitchell noted.
Gateway, he added, has done its best to continue to support communities during the pandemic.
“To help our local hospitals and health units during the pandemic, Gateway donated more than 80,000 units of masks and gloves to help keep them protected as they do their very important work,” he said.
When its casinos were forced to close earlier in the year, Gateway also “worked extremely hard to ensure we donated all perishable food items that would not keep,” Mitchell said.
“Our restaurants were able to provide community food bank and soup kitchens with more than $40,000 in perishable goods. We also provided them with over 49,000 units of cups, napkins and take-out containers to assist them in serving their clients.”
Mitchell said the company is proud to be operating in the area and supporting those in need.
“We realize that many local organizations rely on our funding. We cannot wait to get back to a place where we can once again provide the support needed to build stronger, healthier and more vibrant communities,” he said.
Casino Rama Cares is still accepting applications for support. More information about that can be found here.
