More than $21,000 was donated to Westmoreland County charities during the second quarter of 2021 through Live! Casino Pittsburgh’s donation boxes.
In all, the Westmoreland County Marine Toys for Tots program received more than $11,945, and Greensburg’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 33 received almost $9,670.
Two donation boxes, known as The Giveback Box, are at the casino, located in Hempfield’s Westmoreland Mall, where guests can contribute slot tickets, cash or table game chips to support two local charities that are chosen at the end of each fiscal quarter by Live! Casino’s Charitable Contributions Review Committee.
Funds collected through the boxes are split evenly between the charities. Guests also can donate to one of the two charities when cashing out slot tickets at casino kiosks.
“It’s fantastic. They did a heck of a job,” said Doug Hirst, Toys for Tots coordinator.
According to Hirst, funds will be used to purchase toys during the next holiday season. The organization also accepts toy donations, with drop off locations scattered throughout the county. In all, almost 29,330 toys were distributed last year, supporting almost 2,470 children, according to the Toys for Tots website.
Hirst said officials from the organization knew Live! Casino was collecting donations, but they did not expect to receive as money as they did.
“That’s a fantastic start to the 2022 campaign,” Hirst said.
The organization is an integral part of the Greensburg community, having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014. The following year, the VFW received a national award for community service for their volunteer work at food banks, homeless shelters and churches. They also take veterans to ball game’s, give them Christmas cards and more.
The casino currently is receiving donations for the first quarter of 2022.
This quarter, donations will benefit Mutual Aid EMS of Westmoreland County and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Laurel Region.
