Calif. Company Makes Large Toy Donation to Empire City Casino’s Seventh Annual Toy & Coat Drive

YONKERS, N.Y. - Dec. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- Empire City Casino teamed up with Catholic Charities for the for the seventh consecutive year to provide area families in need with a bit of warmth and some holiday cheer through the casino’s Annual “Christmas Spirit” Coat and Toy Drive. Timothy J. Rooney, President and CEO of Empire City Casino, presented the organization with hundreds of toys and coats on December 12th at the casino. A fellow family-owned company, Jams, of Costa Mesa, California, delivered some west coast warmth through its generous donation of 500 new toys for New York children in need.

Josh Blake of Jams joined Tim Rooney for the presentation, which was accepted by Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, Karen Reynolds, Westchester & Putnam County Supervisor of Catholic Charities, along with Sister Christine Hennessey and Linda Cronston of Aisling Irish Community Center.  The distribution team quickly went to work searching through hundreds of coats seeking out sizes for members of the families they knew were without warm coats this winter.

“It’s important that we remember what the Christmas season is truly celebrating. We must always remember to give to those in need. We provide our customers with an opportunity to give back, and I am always astounded by their generosity,” said Rooney.

From November 22 through December 8, Empire City Casino patrons donated new, unwrapped toys and gently used coats.  A sampling of the items collected was on display in Empire City Casino’s Entertainment Lounge where Mr. Rooney commended the employees of Empire City as well the customers who gave so generously to the annual drive. Yonkers-based Smart Move & Storage generously provided transportation and storage of the donations. The items will be distributed by Catholic Charities over the coming weeks to families in need.

Toy & Coat Drive Group Photo email.jpgThe toy and coat drive has become a holiday tradition at Empire City Casino, and thousands of toys and coats have been donated since 2007 when the campaign was launched. Empire City Casino has a long history of philanthropy and charitable service, providing assistance to thousands of non-profit organizations.

About Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway: Empire City Casino, one of the largest entertainment and gaming destinations in the country, features 5,300 of the hottest slots, electronic  craps, roulette, baccarat and sic bo; year-round harness racing & International simulcasting from North America’s leading harness and thoroughbred venues; nightly live entertainment; a plethora of dining options including Nonno’s Trattoria, Empire Terrace Restaurant, the Big Kitchen International Food Court, Dan Rooney’s Sports Pub, Pinch American Grill, and Alley 810, a craft cocktail lounge with retro bowling lanes.  Empire City Casino is located at 810 Yonkers Avenue in Yonkers, Westchester County (I-87 to Exit 2), open seven days a week from 9:00am to 4:00am. Visit www.empirecitycasino.com or call 914.968.4200 for more information.

About Catholic Charities: Catholic Charities, a federation of approximately 90 agencies and programs located throughout the 10 counties of the Archdiocese of New York, helps solve the problems of New Yorkers in need – non-Catholics and Catholics alike— with services that protect and nurture children, resolve family crises, assist the hungry and homeless, support the physically and emotionally challenged, and integrate immigrants and refugees.

About Aisling Irish Community Center: Aisling Irish Community Center was established in Yonkers in 1996 and has evolved into a full-fledged social services organization dedicated to serving the local community. The Aisling Irish Community Center endeavors to provide facilities for all Irish immigrants and their families. It strives to present a caring face to all, reaching out not only to physical but also to the emotional, social and spiritual needs of the human person. The center is located at 990 McLean Ave., Yonkers, NY 1070. For more information call 914-237-5121 or visit www.aislingcenter.org.