It truly is the season of giving.
Now, most people probably would not associate that with a casino. In fact, most folks likely would think just the opposite, that a casino is in the business of taking, as in watching you empty your wallet as you stand in front of one of their slot machines.
This week Harrah’s proved them wrong.
There was a lot of concern when Harrah’s, and all those one-armed bandits, arrived on Chester’s waterfront. The casino folks vowed to be part of the community, to give back.
Some rolled their eyes.
Not anymore.
On Monday Harrah’s announced a $200,000 scholarship fund for Chester kids to continue their education. Kids can get up to $10,000 if they have been accepted into a four-year institution of higher learning in Delaware County.
Perhaps Chester Upland School District CEO Gregory Thornton said it best.
“This is the gift that keeps on giving,” he said.
He’s right on the money. While much is being made of the advances taking place in the city – and the arrival of Harrah’s has a lot to do with that – the one area that still direly needs to be addressed is the city’s flailing school system.
Too often kids in Chester Upland never get the chance that so many others take for granted.
Harrah’s is stepping up to the plate, putting their money where these kids’ futures are.
And they weren’t done.
Apparently intent on playing the role of Santa Claus, Harrah’s officials contacted the newspaper yesterday. They wanted to help out our annual Daily Times Merry Christmas Fund, which helps the local branches of the Salvation Army.
I’d say they did.
Harrah’s announced they are kicking in $10,000 into the kettle.
“They do good things and work with underprivileged kids with their Toys for Tots program,” said Harrah’s exec Vince Donlevie, himself a Delco native.”
The $10,000 gift puts us within shouting distance of our goal of $50,000.
Earlier this week in my print column I pondered the annual task of becoming “imbued” with the Christmas spirit.
This week I found it in an unlikely place. A casino.
A slots parlor? Yep. You can bet the house on it.
Now, most people probably would not associate that with a casino. In fact, most folks likely would think just the opposite, that a casino is in the business of taking, as in watching you empty your wallet as you stand in front of one of their slot machines.
This week Harrah’s proved them wrong.
There was a lot of concern when Harrah’s, and all those one-armed bandits, arrived on Chester’s waterfront. The casino folks vowed to be part of the community, to give back.
Some rolled their eyes.
Not anymore.
On Monday Harrah’s announced a $200,000 scholarship fund for Chester kids to continue their education. Kids can get up to $10,000 if they have been accepted into a four-year institution of higher learning in Delaware County.
Perhaps Chester Upland School District CEO Gregory Thornton said it best.
“This is the gift that keeps on giving,” he said.
He’s right on the money. While much is being made of the advances taking place in the city – and the arrival of Harrah’s has a lot to do with that – the one area that still direly needs to be addressed is the city’s flailing school system.
Too often kids in Chester Upland never get the chance that so many others take for granted.
Harrah’s is stepping up to the plate, putting their money where these kids’ futures are.
And they weren’t done.
Apparently intent on playing the role of Santa Claus, Harrah’s officials contacted the newspaper yesterday. They wanted to help out our annual Daily Times Merry Christmas Fund, which helps the local branches of the Salvation Army.
I’d say they did.
Harrah’s announced they are kicking in $10,000 into the kettle.
“They do good things and work with underprivileged kids with their Toys for Tots program,” said Harrah’s exec Vince Donlevie, himself a Delco native.”
The $10,000 gift puts us within shouting distance of our goal of $50,000.
Earlier this week in my print column I pondered the annual task of becoming “imbued” with the Christmas spirit.
This week I found it in an unlikely place. A casino.
A slots parlor? Yep. You can bet the house on it.
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