1. society
2. welfare
3. social services
4. volunteering

giving Focus
Areas
2015
1
Pinnacle Cares
Giving Campaign
WELCOME TO
April
Your Magazine
PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT
GIVING
GIVES BACK
CAMPAIGN
2014
2014
2015 2015
2016 2016
2015
Dear Fellow PNK Team Members,
This issue of mypnk Magazine is all about giving back. Whether it’s
through financial donations or spending time volunteering, our team
members show care and compassion for helping others live their best
lives. In the following pages, you will read about our team members
who are volunteering their time to help others all over the country, the
generous donations you gave to local and national charities through
the 2014 Pinnacle Cares Giving Campaign, and our new Pinnacle Cares
Giving focus areas. In addition, we celebrated River City’s Five Year
Anniversary. Our value Care is at the heart of who we are as a company
and I am proud to share with you so many good-hearted stories! Thank
you for all that you do to make Pinnacle Entertainment the Best Casino
Entertainment Company in the World.
GIVING
GIVINGCAMPAIGN
CAMPAIGN
GIVING
CAMPAIGN
GIVINGGIVING
CAMPAIGN
CAMPAIGN
Pinnacle Cares Giving Campaign
mypnkonline.com/team-members/pinnacle-cares
Through the annual Pinnacle Cares Giving Campaign, team members give financial contributions to help those in
need in their community and across the country. PNK is committed to matching all team member donations by 25%.
In 2014, more than $1 million was donated to help those in need through the Cares Giving Campaign.
All the best,
Anthony Sanfilippo
Chief Executive Officer
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
[email protected]
Cares Volunteer Program
Pinnacle Entertainment Foundation
Through the Cares Volunteer Program, PNK’s 15,000+ team
members volunteer their time in the community to help others
live their best lives.
The Pinnacle Entertainment Foundation gives financial and inkind contributions to 501©3 charitable organizations. Charities
can apply for funds by visiting pnkinc.com and completing the
online application.
mypnkonline.com/team-members/pinnacle-cares
pnkinc.com
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Pinnacle Entertainment
supports the following five
areas through giving efforts
- veterans, seniors, cancer research,
our communities and feeding those
in need.
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APRIL
2015
12
Together, PNK
has donated more
than $2M to local
and national charities through our
Giving Campaign.
22
In March, River
City celebrated
their Five Year
Anniversary in style with their team
members.
3
Supporting Efforts In Finding A Cure For Caner
Through the Pinnacle Cares Giving Campaign, more than $130,000 was donated
in 2014 to the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The funds are used for cancer
research and care for those battling the disease.
L’Auberge Baton Rouge and Ameristar East Chicago team members participated in
community walks to show their support for breast cancer awareness.
Making Dreams & Wishes Come True
Pinnacle Entertainment owns and operates
15 locations across the country. In each of the
communities where we live and work, we strive
to make it a better place to live. Charitable
organizations can request volunteers, in-kind
donations or financial support by visiting our
property webpages and clicking on the “cares”
link on the homepage.
Serving Those Who Serve
Team Members at the Las Vegas Service Center
volunteer to help make a dream come through by
building a home with Habitat for Humanity.
We are proud to honor the
brave men and women who
have served and those who
are currently serving in the
U.S. military. Every Veterans
Day, Veterans and active duty
military are invited to enjoy a
free buffet meal at Pinnacle’s 15
destinations.
Spreading Love Through Food
At Pinnacle, we have a talented and passionate
culinary team who share their love for food to
help those who are hungry in the communities
where we live and work.
Greg Connally’s, Baker at Ameristar Kansas City
crafted a gingerbread house for Wayside Waifs, an
animal shelter, for the dogs to enjoy.
Caring For Senior Citizens
Team members support senior citizens
in our communities by preparing meals
and providing entertainment to those in
assisted living homes.
Team Members at Boomtown Casino &
Hotel in Bossier City, Louisiana help stack
the racks at a local food bank to help seniors
in their community.
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2015
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TEAM MEMBERS ASSISTING
TEAM MEMBERS
Al Campfield
AMERISTAR ST. CHARLES
SPREADS THEIR WINGS
By: Celeste Burks
Internal Communications and
Engagement Manager,
Ameristar Kansas City
Angel Arms
By: Melissa Mueller
Career Development Specialist,
Ameristar St. Charles
T
he Team Member Assistance Fund has been at Ameristar Kansas City for more
than 10 years. It has helped numerous team members when they were in a
hardship that was out of their control. A committee of compassionate team members
looks at the facts and decides what finances to approve and not approve. “The amount
of time, effort and compassion that goes into each team member request is incredible,”
said Stephanie Martens, Director of Human Resources. “The money is given by team
members for team members and the committee helps ensure the money is going to the
team members who truly have a need.”
Al Campfield, Security Officer, is one of those team members. After back surgery, Al
had an extended stay at the hospital due to complications. As Al tried to recover from
the surgery, he began to receive numerous medical bills. “My leaders reached out to
me and asked if I needed assistance from the Team Member Assistance Fund,” said
Al. “I applied and received the money I needed.” Al was able to get all of his medical
bills he had at the time paid by the Team Member Assistance Fund. The money that
the property gave him helped alleviate some burden he felt when arriving back from a
major surgery.
A
ngels’ Arms is Ameristar St. Charles’s official local charity
through the Pinnacle Giving Campaign. The mission of
this organization is to provide support and loving homes for
foster children by keeping brothers and sisters together within
a nurturing family until a forever home is found. Angels’ Arms
owns 10 homes located throughout the St. Louis area and can
accommodate up to 60 children at any given time.
Al is one of many team members who have received help from the Team Member Assistance Fund. “You don’t experience this
type of help with other companies,” said Al. “The fund is there to help team members in a hardship,” said DeAngela Pulley, HR
Coordinator and Team Member Assistance Fund Coordinator.
CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER
Theresa Myers
Recently over a period of two days, volunteers from St. Charles
teamed up to remodel a bedroom at one of the homes. They
By: Jessica Saxby
Internal Communications &
Community Relations Manager,
L’Auberge Lake Charles
S
Fred Harris
By: Melissa Mueller
Career Development Specialist,
Ameristar St. Charles
A
bout a year and a half ago, one of Ameristar St. Charles’s
regular guests informed Slot Supervisor Fred Harris
that he had been diagnosed with cancer. His treatments were
going to prevent him from eating solid food, forcing him onto a
liquid diet. Fred, feeling pure compassion for this familiar face,
promised this guest that when his treatment was completed
and he could eat a regular meal again, that his family at
Ameristar would like to treat him to a steak dinner. Throughout
treatments, he continued to visit Ameristar and the day his
treatment was completed he came in and asked to speak with
Fred. He proudly informed him that he was cancer free! Fred
gladly kept his promise. Our guest said that Fred’s offer to buy
him dinner was part of his motivation to get better.
Her team also boasts about the care Theresa shows to our
guests. Theresa demonstrates the type of care and personality
we would all be thankful to receive as a fellow team member
or guest! We are also proud to congratulate Theresa for being
named L’Auberge’s 2014 Team Member of the Year in the
category of Care!
APRIL
Director of Regulatory Compliance, Shawn Ledbetter, said “The
boys were very excited when they came home from school.
The youngest boy gave me a big hug and couldn’t wait to tell
everyone what we had done.”
COMPASSION "WELL-DONE"
lot Attendant, Theresa Myers stands out among others
because of her actions. Theresa was the recipient of the
Care award this past year. Nominated by her peers, there is no
doubt she should have received this honor. In their nomination,
her team talks about the honorable deeds she does for others
- from helping them get their cars out of the shop to helping
them look for their lost pets. “If anyone comes into contact
with Theresa, they will know how caring she is right away. She
has even gone out of her way to go with fellow team members
and pay for their medicine because they could not afford it.”
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painted the room, purchased and assembled all new furniture,
replaced the drapes, provided baseball-themed decorations
and donated a gift basket to the family filled with items for a
family game night.
2015
7
MY COMMUNITY
HELPED MAKE ME,
NOW IT’IS MY TURN
Krystle Johnson
THE STOREHOUSE
FOOD PANTRY
By: Jessica Saxby
Internal Communications &
Community Relations Manager,
L’Auberge Lake Charles
An Ameristar Cares Vicksburg Favorite
E
ach year, Ameristar Vicksburg selects the Storehouse
Food Pantry as one of their local charities in the Pinnacle
Cares Giving Campaign. Through various donations within the
community, the Storehouse Food Pantry provides more than
36,000 meals a year to the citizens of Warren County.
C
onvention Services Planner Krystle Johnson is not your
ordinary Lake Charles citizen; she is what many may call
a Service Ambassador, always putting others before herself.
It is obvious from speaking with Krystle for just a brief amount
of time that she truly cares about others and the way that they
fit within society.
From a young age, Krystle has admired those who support
others and volunteer their time to make a difference in the
lives of young people. Much of this started after she received
a scholarship in high school from one of those local groups.
“Being one of the first to receive this particular scholarship
humbled me and made me want to do the same as an adult. I’m
proud to say that the scholarship, which started as $500 to one
student per year, has now grown to $1000 to about 13 students
per year! I’m honored to be a part of the organization as an
adult that helped me so much as a young woman,” she said.
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The organization began approximately 12 years ago, when the
former Executive Director for the United Way in Vicksburg saw
a need for those families or individuals going through financial
hardship. Located in downtown Vicksburg, a local church
decided to donate one of its buildings to the organization to
house the food items and provide a place for citizens of the
community to apply for support. The Storehouse Food Pantry
became a place that residents could rely on during their time
of need and is currently serving around 4,000 citizens of the
Warren County community each year. Enough food for three
meals a day is provided to the family or individual for up to
three days, including canned fruit and vegetables, milk, frozen
meats, rice, oatmeal, toilet tissue, soap, etc.
Speaking on her experience with helping youth, Krystle
mentions, “When you start with the youth, you see them
through to young adulthood. It’s so rewarding to see the
amazing people they become and I’m proud to have had a part
in making them great community members who will hopefully
pass it along to other generations.” Not only does she help
with scholarship programs, but is also the Youth Choir Director
at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a leader in her riding group
called Keep it Kountry, as well as, this year’s president of the
Women’s Commission, a group that focuses on empowering
women. She is also a mentor for the Junior Ambassadors
division of the Women’s Commission.
When asked why she takes on all of this responsibility she
said, “It’s kind of like my job outside of work. I’m so blessed to
be able to see how my work can make someone else so happy.
I don’t choose these organizations because of the name or title,
it’s because they really mean something to me and they have
helped make me who I am today.”
APRIL
By: Kristina Carroll
Internal Communications Specialist,
Ameristar Vicksburg
Since the Storehouse Food Pantry is run strictly by volunteers,
most members of the organization are retirees or have other
2015
jobs during the day. The organization relies on food donations
such as canned food drives from local churches and schools
and offerings from one of the local grocery stores, County
Market, and monetary donations through the Pinnacle
Cares Giving Campaign and the Kroger Community Rewards
Program.
Chris Downs, Casino Performance Manager for Ameristar
Vicksburg, has served on the board for the Storehouse Food
Pantry for almost a year now. After realizing a need for new
computers and a new tracking system, Chris will help install
new computers and software that were recently donated to
the organization. He will also oversee the development of a
new tracking system to help record those individuals who
visit the pantry and the members of the community who have
donated to the cause.
Ameristar Vicksburg plans to partner with the Storehouse
Food Pantry for the Pinnacle Cares Giving Campaign again
this year and will plan a Day of Caring for the Ameristar Cares
team to help stock shelves and other various activities the
organization may be in need of.
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A FAMILY AFFAIR
Jacquith Neal
A LIFE BUILT ON CARE
AND COMPASSION
By: Kristina Carroll Internal Communications Specialist,
Ameristar Vicksburg
Maja Patterson
By: Casey Lowe
Internal Communications Specialist,
L’Auberge Baton Rouge
M
aja Patterson grew up in a home centered on caring. Her mother was an RN who
went to nursing school while pregnant with Maja. She would often make home
remedies and have her children help her practice what she had learned in school.
Her mother’s example of caring was an inspiration for Maja during her time as
a military police officer in the Marines, where Maja served for 10 years. Before her
initial deployment, Maja went through combat lifesaving training, learning how to patch
herself up and keep moving if she ever got hurt. This was a vital part of her training as
a Marine, because “you want everyone to come home,” she said.
“ It’s not about what you have; it’s about what other people don’t.”
T
his message was instilled in Jacquith Neal, Slot Supervisor,
at a very early age by the women in her family. Her great
grandmother would have hot meals ready every day after
school and Jacquith and her great grandmother would pass
them around to the members of the neighborhood. It became
a family tradition.
When Jacquith began working with the Ameristar team
almost 21 years ago, she automatically knew she wanted to
be involved with whatever community efforts Ameristar would
The last two years of her service, Maja acted as an instructor for incoming Marines.
These Marines were often relatively unexperienced, having only gone through boot
camp and combat training. During their training after deployment, “we saw a lot of head
injuries and broken bones,” Maja said. Maja had to learn how to “keep her cool” and
focus on the task at hand, in order to help these young Marines.
do. Since then, she has served Thanksgiving meals at Good
Shepherd and the Senior Center, volunteered for Vicksburg’s
annual Run Thru History and Over the River Run, volunteered
to serve and work at various United Way events, and has even
volunteered her time outside of work at the local roller skating
rink, Big Wheelie, as the Director of Music for their annual Big
Wheelie Skate Show. She loves that this skate show gives the
kids in Vicksburg something to do with their time other than
watching TV on the couch or getting in trouble.
That training came into practice at L’Auberge Baton Rouge, when a guest needed immediate medical attention. Jerod Emrick,
Director of Surveillance, witnessed Maja calmly attend to the guest, keeping him alert and caring for him as if he were one of her
own family. Her actions did not go unnoticed, and Maja was nominated for, and won, the Living Our Values Care Award. She was
later featured in one of Anthony’s Memorable and Magical Moments letters.
Not only does she give the kids of the community something to
do, but she has also given her own children something to do in
the community. Her son, Evan, remembers the first Ameristar
Cares event he ever came to with his mom – the Over the River
Run in 2008. He enjoyed the good vibe and overall good feeling
he got from the event and the Ameristar Cares team so much
that he kept coming back to volunteer his time with his mom
alongside the rest of the Ameristar Cares team. Now, they
say it kicks off their holidays – no holiday is complete without
serving meals at the Senior Center or preparing meals with
the Good Shepherd Community Center.
The lineage of volunteer work continued when Evan became
the first President of the United Way organization at his school.
He went on to receive the United Way scholarship to help him
attend Hinds Community College in Vicksburg. And now that
Jacquith’s youngest son, Maxwell, has gotten older, she has
started bringing him to the Ameristar Cares community events
as well.
Jacquith encourages all team members to volunteer in their
community. “Every hand helps. It’s a good feeling when
there’s a line wrapped around the door waiting to get food for
Thanksgiving Day. It humbles you. It makes you appreciative.”
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2015
11
KEEP MEMORY ALIVE
$1,200,334
Las Vegas Service Center
The Las Vegas Service Center chose Keep Memory Alive in
support of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
Through the generous donations from team members and the
PNK 25% match, $24,355 was raised for the center. Funds
help Keep Memory Alive continue to make a difference in the
lives of those who are affected by Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s,
Huntingdon’s and other brain health related issues. The
Center focuses on both care for those in need and research
to find a cure.
Pledged
Giving back to those in need
FEED MY PEOPLE
River City Casino & Hotel
Team Members at River City chose Feed My People as their local charity. The
organization strives to help those in need in the St. Louis community through providing
food and shelter. During 2014, the organization sent a thank you letter noting that
the funds raised during the Giving Campaign were used to install a new gate system
in their parking lot to help improve the safety and security of their facility. Throughout
the year, team members volunteered with the organization by collecting food and
clothing to help those in need.
Dear Fellow PNK Team Members,
Giving back to those in need and bettering the communities in
which we live and work is an important part of our value, Care.
This past year, we held a Giving Campaign and through team
member pledges and a 25% company match, we were able to raise
$1,200,334 to help others. Thank you to all of our team members
who give their time and funds to help others live their best lives.
All the best,
WAYSIDE WAIFS
Ameristar Kansas City
Ameristar Kansas City chose Wayside Waifs as their local charity
in the 2014 Giving Campaign. Wayside Waifs is an animal
shelter that serves the purpose of finding homes for adoptable
companion animals. Through team member contributions and the
25% match, $26,182 was raised for the shelter. Team Members
also spend time volunteering at the shelter packing up treats and
making bandanas for the animals.
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2015
13
MELANOMA WARRIOR
Kristy Kromer
SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER!
By: Martina Malone
Career Development Manager,
L’Auberge Baton Rouge
Cactus Petes
I
By: Kris Ann Brown
Public Relations Manager,
Cactus Petes
S
n November of 2011, Kristy Kromer, Beverage Server, was diagnosed
with stage IIIB Melanoma which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. She
was in complete shock that a small mole, which had been biopsied, had
returned with such a life-threatening disease.
ince 1996, Cactus Petes has sponsored a local Giving Tree program, supporting the
less fortunate in the Jackpot community and at the Valley House Homeless Shelter
in Twin Falls. Many companies have similar programs during the holiday season, but
what makes our program so incredibly unique is that we are the administrators of the
program and the ones who knock on the doors and deliver the gifts.
Kristy eventually underwent two major surgeries to remove the cancerous
lymph nodes. After an arduous stint in chemotherapy, Kristy received
wonderful news, “I went into remission on March 27, 2013. It was one of
the best days of my life!”
The town of Jackpot doesn’t have the traditional Toys for Tots or Salvation Army programs
that most communities turn to during the holidays to help those in need. So, in the absence
of these types of organizations, Cactus Petes and its team members have found a way to
fill the gap.
In March of 2014, Kristy was contacted by a group of medical professionals.
They asked Kristy to share her story in the hopes of getting a law passed
which would prohibit minors under 18 from using tanning devices. Kristy
bravely shared her battle with skin cancer to a room full of lawmakers.
For Cactus Petes this program starts long before the turkeys are basted or the Christmas
lights are hung. The first part of November, we collaborate with the Jackpot School Administration to receive a list of children
who would benefit from our program. Once the names are received, the Giving Tree goes up in the team member hallway the
day after Thanksgiving. Team members select tags from the tree, containing the student’s first name, age and holiday wish.
Our program goes far beyond a collection barrel for toys to be dropped off; instead we customize the gifts for each child. The
gifts are returned unwrapped to our Administration department. On average, more than 100 children are part of our Giving Tree
program each year.
On May 23, 2014 Governor Bobby Jindal signed the tanning bill and the law became effective on August 1, 2014. Kristy feels
honored to have made a difference through her experience; “Even one time in a tanning bed increases one’s chance of melanoma
by 20%. I care about the well-being of others and I was very determined to help get this tanning bill passed.”
In closing, Kristy shares some sun safety tips:
• Be sure to wear sunglasses
• Apply sunscreen daily with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply often when sun exposed
• Wear protective clothing, such as a hat, long sleeves or pants
• Stay in the shade (babies and children can be more sensitive, so take extra care of them)
• Schedule a yearly dermatology appointment
• Go to a doctor if you notice your mole changing color, size, shape, or if it becomes itchy or red
This program is special for more than just the children who
receive the gifts. The team members who spend their own time
and money put their heart and soul into selecting just the right gift.
Some team members have said they look forward to participating
each year, because their children are grown and it’s a good way to
help those less fortunate.
Once the last package is wrapped, team members volunteer their
time, break into groups and deliver the gifts. It’s a very rewarding
and heart-felt moment when the children and in some cases,
their parents thank the volunteers for remembering them during
the holidays.
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2015
15
TEAM PINNACLE CARES
Making Dreams and Wishes Come True
PAINTING FOR A CAUSE
By: Tracy West
Vice President, Communications
Pinnacle Entertainment
Angel Espino
By: Kathleen Spence
Internal Communications Specialist,
Ameristar Black Hawk
eam members from the Las Vegas Service Center helped to make
a family’s dream come true by building them a new home through
Habitat for Humanity. What started with just a concrete slab at the
beginning of the day became a wooden frame of a home by the end of
the day. Team members worked alongside the family who would receive
the home, to build a strong foundation for their future. A fun time was
had by all working together as team.
T
C
The Pinnacle Entertainment Foundation was a Platinum sponsor of
the Walk for Wishes held on March 21 in Las Vegas. All proceeds and
donations raised from the walk went to support the Make-A-Wish
Foundation of Southern Nevada which serves the mission of granting
wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Team
Pinnacle Cares proudly walked and ran to show their support and to
help make swishes come true.
Angel uses the technique of drip painting with gravity
manipulation to create unique pieces of art. He will even
sometimes create paintings for different charitable
organizations. One of the charities that he works with often,
Art of War is one organization that is close to his heart. Being
a veteran himself, he jumped at the opportunity to help donate
proceeds and artwork to help wounded veterans suffering
from PTSD.
reativity radiates in many team members here at
Ameristar Black Hawk and Table Games Dealer Angel
Espino is no exception. He has been painting for more than
4 years and is a main fixture in many art shows in and
around the city of Denver. Angel enjoys working with many
charities donating his artwork and proceeds from his events
or paintings.
One of his recent art shows took place in Denver and benefited
the non-profit organization Water for People, which helps
provide sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure in
underdeveloped countries. He donated 40% of his proceeds
to the organization.
When the new Poker Room opened on property this past December, Angel was given the opportunity to work with the Poker
department to design a painting that would be displayed in the room. His painting is now proudly displayed in the Poker Room,
and he is planning on creating more for the future.
Angel continues to paint in his spare time and work with charitable organizations.
“Your creativity and your imagination is God’s gift to you. What you do with it, is your gift to God.”
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2015
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A SILENT HERO
PINNACLE ST. LOUIS
GIVES BACK!
By: Morgan Brooks
Internal Communications Specialist,
Ameristar Council Bluffs
John Plott
By: Jason Brendel
Internal Communications Specialist,
River City & Ameristar St. Charles
Pinnacle Cares
E
arlier this year, Ameristar Sous Chef John Plott quietly
celebrated a proud moment. For the past 20 years, John
has donated blood and blood platelet every other week to the
American Red Cross, and when the opportunity is available, he
also donates during the Ameristar Cares Blood. During the last
Ameristar Cares Blood Drive is when John hit an impressive
milestone – it marked his 100th blood and platelet donation!
A
t River City and Ameristar St. Charles, giving back to the
community is a part of our culture, values, and most
importantly, a part of each one of our team members. We
have a commitment to giving back to the community where
we work, live and enjoy spending time. Our team members not
only enjoy helping out the community, but have fun doing it!
We are excited to support two great local charities, River City’s
Feed My People and Ameristar St. Charles’ Angels’ Arms
through our Pinnacle Cares Giving Campaign. Team members
are given several opportunities throughout the year to help
our local charities. We had the privilege of donating our extra
hams and turkeys from our team member giveaway to Oasis
Food Pantry and Feed My People to help those less fortunate
in our community. Through our annual Giving Trees and Food Drives, team members donated items for our Pinnacle Cares
charities. Finally, our Gingerbread House dining experience raised more than $6500 in St. Louis for the Center for the Hearing
Impaired.
“I’m lucky to have the extra time to donate,” stated John. “I
don’t even think about it. I’ve done it for so long so it’s like
wearing an old hat.”
A single blood platelet donation can provide a full therapeutic
dose for a patient in need. In fact, some platelet donations
yield enough platelets for two or three therapeutic doses. One
platelet donation can be worth 12 to 18 whole blood donations.
“John is a silent hero,” said Greg Encinas, Director of Food and
Beverage. “He does things for the right reasons; he is modest
and never looks for special recognition.”
Not only do we believe in giving, but also donating our time to great charities. From renovating a less fortunate family’s kids’
room to hanging lights around the holiday season, we truly love giving back to our community. We excited for 2015 to increase
our community involvement and expand our outreach to help others.
The right reasons indeed. “I find the most enjoyment when I
receive an email or postcard from the American Red Cross,
telling me what state my blood or platelets went to and the
number of lives I helped save,” said John. “It’s really nice to
know that I’ve helped someone.”
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It’s our mission to build a strong community where we work and live!
2015
19
AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL KANSAS
CITY CARES FOR KC!
The Value of Care
SLOTS SERVES WITH CARE
Jeremy Hatcher and Sade Dabney
By: Celeste Burks
Internal Communication & Engagement Manager,
Ameristar Kansas City
S
A
meristar Casino Hotel Kansas
City team members define the
value CARE. Team members have
consistently given back financially
and through volunteer hours. In the
last nine years, the team members
at Ameristar Kansas City have given
nearly 14,000 volunteer hours to the
community through Ameristar Cares
events. They served meals to those
in need, painted and cleaned up
yards, made dog toys for homeless animals, and made holiday crafts with developmentally
disabled individuals just to name a few. More than 73% of Ameristar’s 1,100 team members
have pledged in the Pinnacle Cares Giving Campaign every year for nine years. In 2014, 83%
of team members pledged $111,164.15 to organizations.
What is team member’s passion without a company who cares too? The property backed
the team member’s passion by giving more than $5.4 million to nonprofits in Kansas City
since 2006. The property has given to more than 70 nonprofit organizations every year for
the last ten years. It isn’t just financial donations that Ameristar Casino Kansas City gave
to nonprofits; it was also the professional skills of our talented team members. In the past
ten years, Ameristar Casino Kansas City’s talented culinary team have fed more than 15,000
people at events benefiting nonprofit organizations. The property has also given more than
152,000 pounds of food to Harvesters – The Community Food Network since 2004.
lot Supervisor Jeremy Hatcher and Slot Attendant
Sade Dabney recently raised money and awareness for
Autism Speaks. Autism is very dear to both of them. Sade had
previously done work with Autism Speaks and told the rest of
the swing-shift slot team how great they were. They decided
to raise awareness and funds by doing a 24-hour live stream
over the Internet. Jeremy consulted with NxT Nation, an online
gaming community, for their help. The goal was to raise $500
within 24-hours; unfortunately, that didn’t happen, so they
tried again with another 24-hour stream to raise the rest of the
funds. They branched out to the other slot shifts to help raise
the remaining funds. This got the rest of the slot team helping
with future events.
stream and advertisement on their website and social media
sites. They made a video for the Ice Bucket Challenge, and
contributed $200 dollars to ALS. While preparing for their next
event, a dear friend of NxT Nation lost his mother. Together,
NxT was able to raise $1600 within three days to help with
funeral costs.
After achieving their goal for Autism Speaks, they were
inspired to continue giving back to the community. They hosted
a new event every month for the rest of year. With each event,
participation grew bigger as they began reaching out to other
team members to join them.
All in all, 2014 was a successful year for Slots and NxT Nation,
and they certainly plan to outdo themselves in 2015.
The Christmas season was coming and the Boomtown Slot
Team wanted to help those less fortunate. They gathered
clothes and toys for the Salvation Army. Throughout the year
they helped raise awareness within the community by doing
several smaller walks for Pancreatic Cancer, Autism, and
Breast Cancer.
The next event was Care Packages for the homeless, where
they put together 40 care packages with essentials and a
small snack for homeless people in the Greater New Orleans
area. With the help of the online gaming community, the team
then raised awareness for St. Jude with another 24-hour live
WHY BELTERRA PARK GIVES BACK
Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City also donates items to nonprofits whenever possible.
Discarded hotel amenities and soaps are donated to Clean the World. Clean the World turns
the soap and bottled amenities into clean soap before sending it to countries where people
have limited access to clean soap. The hotel also donates all of the linens and towels that
no longer meet quality standards to organizations who help homeless individuals. The
facilities team donates items on a consistent basis to Habitat for Humanity Restore. They
have donated everything from 100 large ceiling fans to paint to cabinets.
“I first started to give back to communities after I joined the
Army and we would help local villages near our base camps.
I was excited that about cares events because I had the
opportunity to give back in my own community. It makes me
feel good to help those in need or to make my community a
better place to live. “
- Jason Whitaker (Security Manager)
Over the years the team members have donated numerous coats, clothes, food, books
and so much more through drives put in place by Ameristar Cares. The team members at
Ameristar Casino truly care about the community they live and work in each day.
“Each time I volunteer, not only do I gain new skills, I also get
to meet and connect with new people, sometimes forming
new friendships but always learning about different cultures,
personalities, environments and more. Raising my son to
understand the value and impact that volunteering can make
is a gift I can’t even describe.”
- Jill Oester (Guest Experience Manager)
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By: Jeremy Hatcher, Slots Supervisor
& Carla DeNicola, Human Resources
Business Partner, Boomtown New Orleans
APRIL
2015
“I volunteer because it helps gain a sense of accomplishment.
Even if efforts go unseen by those around me, I know that in
myself I have done something for a greater good, no matter
how large or small.”
- Corey Siverly, Gaming Manager
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River City Celebrates 5 Years!
By Jason Brendel, Internal
Communications Specialist
On March 5, 2015, River City Casino
& Hotel team members gathered
to celebrate River City’s Five Year
Anniversary. Team members enjoyed
delicious food, fun games, and upbeat
music in our team member dining room.
It was exciting to see team members
reminiscing about the last five years and
the many great events that took place!
how many team members have been
with us since our grand opening, as well
as those who have joined our family
since. Each one of our team members
plays a remarkable part in the success
of our casino!
Through the years, River City has
offered first-class entertainment for
guests to enjoy. It is outstanding to see
Congratulations to River City on FIVE
magnificent years of creating magical
and memorable moments for our
guests! It is your dedication and pride
that makes us a cornerstone in the St.
Louis gaming industry!
5
22
APRIL
2015
!
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