$60,000 Raised to Grant The Wishes Of Sick Kids Across Canada

The Heroes Challenge is a fun team-building fundraising event where teams raise funds to grant the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
On September 28, our teams came together to participate in the Heroes Challenge events in Richmond, Edmonton and Toronto. Each spent the day competing in activities with their Wish Child and their family. There were many fun and challenging activities including: Zumba, KinBall, Curling, Build a Tent Blindfolded, build a Raft that does not sink, food eating challenge, relay race on wood planks, build a fire, and fill a hole-ridden bucket with water.

Each event gave out a Team Spirit Award to the team that showed the most enthusiasm and “All-In” spirit. We can proudly say that two of our teams won! Team GatewayGIVES AB and Team Gateway Casinos Ontario.

Teams began fundraising in August with the goal of raising $10,000 each by event day in order to grant their child’s wish. All the teams came up with some great ways to raise funds. Team Gateway BC led by Shannon Gnocato, Regional Manager – CGC Division, sold chocolate bars; hosted a Burger & Brew night at Chances Abbotsford, which included a 50/50 draw, toonie toss for wine, raffle and silent auction; various sites held raffles – including one for the preferred staff parking spot; and the Cascades Casino in Penticton put on a bake sale that netted in excess of $1,000.

Team GatewayGIVES AB led by Dave Pavelich, Marketing Manager, raised the majority of their funds through a direct ask campaign to local business partners – Crystal Glass donated $2,500 and Prostar Well Services donated $1,000.

“Congratulations to Team Gateway BC for winning my fundraising challenge. I am working on the menu to toast your success and commitment to this great cause. A job well done for all the funds raised in Ontario, our newest colleagues, – which when the teams are combined tops BC’s totals. Also, congrats to the mighty efforts from our two properties in Edmonton for a valiant effort. To all our teams, I say thank you for your enthusiasm and creativity throughout this campaign. ” Tony Santo, CEO

Team Gateway Casinos Ontario led by Rebecca Coveney, Customer Relations Manager, hosted events across all sites in Ontario such as pancake days; dress up and jeans days, a customer BBQ; and several silent auctions.

Finally, Team Casino Rama Cares, led by Natasha Borutski, Public Relations Specialist, raised funds through a Carnival Day for staff, which included a manager’s dunk tank, hot dog and treats sale; each restaurant sold a Heroes Meal; raffle; and sales from wish clouds.

As you can see, our teams were very creative in their fundraising ideas and they really paid off. Team Gateway Ontario came in third overall for team donations at the Toronto event and three team members were in the top ten for individual fundraising.

Congratulations to everyone that donated, participated and supported The Children’s Wish Foundation Heroes Challenge.

Gateway Fundraising Totals:
Team Gateway BC: $20,568.23
Team Gateway Casinos ON: $18,465.00
Team Casino Rama Cares: $11,757.50
Team GatewayGIVES AB: $10,300.00
GRAND Total: $61,090.73

About Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited (“Gateway”) is one of the largest and most diversified gaming and entertainment companies in Canada. Across its 26 gaming properties in British Columbia, Ontario and Edmonton, Alberta, Gateway currently employs approximately 8,600 people and boasts approximately 429 table games (including 48 poker tables), 13,818 slots, 82 restaurants and bars and 561 hotel rooms. As the new service provider for the Central Gaming Bundle in Ontario, Gateway recently added two new properties and one new planned build in Wasaga Beach to its portfolio.  A multi-pronged growth strategy has seen Gateway diversify and expand its product offering, including developing proprietary casino and restaurant brands, dramatically improving the gaming customer experience while attracting new customers. Some of Gateway’s proprietary brands include Match Eatery & Public House, Atlas Steak + Fish and the new Halley’s Club.  In 2017, Gateway celebrated 25 years in the business of gaming and entertainment in Canada. Further information is available at www.gatewaycasinos.com.