Monday, December 23, 2013

Gural Check Presentation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2013                     

Contact: Linn Redder
Tioga Downs Marketing Director
607-215-9751
lredder@tiogadowns.com


A check presentation ceremony was held at Tioga Downs Casino on Friday, December 20th in celebration of contributions made in 2013 to community charities. Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment Jeff Gural was on hand for the event, which included a recognition of the significant role he played in raising the donated amounts.

To date, funds raised by Tioga Downs, in conjunction with Mr. Gural’s personal donations, have raised over $900,000 that has gone back into the local Southern Tier community. In total, American Racing and Entertainment, which includes Tioga Downs and its sister facility Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel, and in conjunction with Mr. Gural’s personal donations, has donated over $1.4 million dollars.

Representatives from the charities were on hand at Tioga Downs today to receive their donation checks. Natasha Thompson, President and CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier received a check for $60,000, which was a combined effort between Tioga Downs Casino and the Southern Tier Horsemen Association. Naima Kradjian of the Goodwill Theater received a check totaling $15,000. Ben and Sue Margolius of the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group received a check for $80,600, and Ralph Kelsey and Dave Ostrander of the Tioga County Senior Citizens Foundation received a donation in the amount of $10,000.

Since the opening of Tioga Downs Casino, it has been a top priority for Mr. Gural to give back to the surrounding communities. This was achieved by building strong relationships with charitable organizations and reaching high volumes of revenue that was then funneled back in the form of educational aid.

In addition, Mr. Gural was the recipient of a special award in recognition of a sum totaling $500,000 that was donated to the American Red Cross in aid of victims of Hurricane Sandy. The donation was made possible through a combined effort between Mr. Gural, Tioga Downs Casino, Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel, and Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment. American Red Cross Community Executive Shelly Bierwiller was present to recognize Mr. Gual’s efforts.

For more information about Tioga Downs Casino, go to www.tiogadowns.com, or visit us on Facebook.