Virginia’s Bristol Casino Donations Help Local Charities For Holidays

Written By Adam Hensley on January 3, 2024
Bristol Casino donations

The only casino in Virginia contributed during the holiday season.

On December 24, Bristol Casino, soon to be the new location of Hard Rock, ceremoniously handed over checks to support the Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire and Feeding Southwest Virginia.

Allie Evangelista, the president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, expressed her pride in endorsing the groups.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire extends assistance to families in our region through a range of essential programs and services. Feeding Southwest Virginia plays a crucial role in providing sustenance for individuals experiencing food insecurity every day. The accomplishments of Hard Rock are built upon the dedication of our team members, and the generous support of both our Guests and team members makes these donations achievable.

The casino employed innovative thinking to generate donations for the two organizations.

Bristol Casino basket donations back the boys and girls club

During the ceremony, the Boys and Girls Club received a check totaling $5,920. Additionally, The United Company’s Annual Christmas Coffee event held the previous week saw the casino generously donate $10,000 towards the cause.

“In a statement, CEO Kathy Lowdermilk emphasized that Hard Rock has been a steadfast supporter of The Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire from the very beginning.”

The boys and girls club received a unique fundraising initiative from the Bristol casino. Each department of the casino took an innovative approach by crafting holiday gift baskets. Casino members enthusiastically placed bids on these baskets, resulting in the direct contribution of the proceeds to the club.

In a statement, Lowdermilk expressed gratitude for the generous donation of $5,920 from Hard Rock, emphasizing that this contribution will greatly assist in providing essential programs and services to children and their families at our 4 Club sites situated in Bristol, VA, Bristol, TN, Bluff City, TN, and Abingdon, VA. Additionally, Lowdermilk acknowledged the immense value of Hard Rock’s dedication and expertise, as they generously offer their time and talent to support our mission. The statement further emphasized how Hard Rock’s unwavering commitment to service is evident in all of our interactions with them.

Creative Bristol Casino donations for Feeding Southwest Virginia, too

On December 23, Feeding Southwest Virginia received a check amounting to $26,690.69 from the casino. A portion of this sum was contributed by the casino’s Team Member Dining Room and ticket boxes located on the casino floor. Apart from the casino staff, patrons also had the opportunity to donate through these boxes, providing direct support to Feeding Southwest Virginia.

In a recent statement, Wes Childress, the Marketing & Communication Director of Feeding Southwest Virginia, expressed gratitude for the significant contribution made by Hard Rock. Childress announced that the organization received a generous donation of $26,690.69, which will play a crucial role in bringing joy to families throughout the region during the holiday season. Childress also acknowledged the ongoing support provided by the Hard Rock team, emphasizing their consistent partnership and the immense value it holds for Feeding Southwest Virginia.

The Virginia casino raised more than $37K for cancer research earlier this year

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the American Cancer Society received a generous contribution of almost $40,000 from Bristol Casino. The organization was presented with a check amounting to $37,426, thanks to the casino’s donations.

Similar to how the casino creatively supported two local charities in December, it also took an innovative approach to fundraising for cancer research. The funds were generated through various means such as the proceeds from the team member dining room, sales of t-shirts, a bowling night, and a campaign encouraging men to wear pink.

What to know about Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock

Currently, it is the only casino in the state, albeit a temporary one.

According to the most recent report, the Bristol casino recorded a revenue of $12.65 million for the month of November. This marks only the second instance since its opening in July where the casino’s monthly revenue fell below $14 million.

Make sure to monitor those numbers in the future, as Virginia’s only casino is soon to be joined by another.

The official opening of the Rivers Casino Portsmouth is scheduled for January, making it the first fully operational casino in the state. Despite being the second casino to obtain a license, it will be the first to commence operations. In addition, temporary casinos will also be established in Danville and Norfolk.

Meanwhile, patrons visiting the Bristol location will find a spacious 30,000-square-foot venue, equipped with 870 slot machines, 21 table games, and a sportsbook. Additionally, the casino boasts a wide range of dining choices to cater to different culinary preferences.

The anticipated opening date for the official Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is set for spring 2024.