Since Rivers Casino opened in 2011 in Des Plaines, Illinois, its Rivers Gives Foundation has donated more than million to community organizations and projects and employees have contributed thousands of volunteer hours. Senior Vice President and General Manager Corey Wise said, “We give through lots of different channels. Great team members giving great service make Rivers a great community partner. The more our team members feel part of the mission of our property, the more engaged they are as employees. When I see the outpouring of support of our initiatives by our team members, it’s incredibly gratifying.”
Vice President of Human Resources Luis Pinedo added, “We like it best when we can do more than just give money. We like when we can show that we really care.”
Rivers Casino’s Volunteer Incentive Program rewards a $50 check to any team member for every eight hours of volunteer time. “This is where we put our money where our mouth is. The volunteerism of our team members is that important to us,” Pinedo said.
Devin Maddox, Rivers Casino senior counsel and chair of the Rivers Gives Foundation, said the Rivers Gives Foundation divides its financial contributions equally among four education-based causes: Illinois scholarships, Rivers Scholarships to their team members and their families, Des Plaines nonprofit programs, and other Illinois nonprofit organizations. For example, the Foundation helped the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce launch its Back-to-Work Program for Veterans. “The reality is that this program will benefit the community well beyond the veterans it touches directly. It will positively impact everyone they come in contact with,” she says.
The Rivers Gives Foundation also recently expanded its philanthropic efforts by partnering with Autism Speaks, Susan G. Komen and the Alzheimer’s Association. Pinedo said the casino built a sensory room in one of its training areas for team members to experience during the month the casino raised awareness for Autism Speaks. “This was such an eye opener for our team members. It made such an impact that employees asked if we could keep this up year-round because they felt the calming benefits of such a space. And we did. The local impact that we’re making has really made all the difference for us,” Pinedo said.
Maddox added, “We made a commitment to the Illinois Gaming Board when we opened that we would give back to the community. From top-to-bottom, Rivers Casino has stood behind this promise. We’re not just checking a box. We do it because we enjoy it and it’s the right thing to do.”
