JOTR could score $7,500 in casino's Season of Hope campaign

WAUKEGAN — Jeeps on the Run has clinched a coveted spot in this year’s American Place Casino Season of Hope tree decorating event, with a shot at scoring $7,500 for its Toys for Tots campaign.

Mike Missak, president of the nonprofit group Jeeps on the Run, and Brooke Wallace, public relations manager for American Place Casino in Waukegan, confirmed that Jeeps on the Run is one of six nonprofits invited to decorate a tree for display on the casino floor throughout the holiday season.

Other 2026 participants, according to Wallace, are Bernie’s Book Bank, the African American Museum at England Manor, Waukegan Friends, Cool Ministries Food Pantry and the Zacharias Center.

Between Sunday, Nov. 15, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 29, casino visitors and employees can vote for their favorite tree. The one receiving the most votes will receive the top prize, according to an October letter notifying Jeeps on the Run of its invitation.

“American Place Casino is excited to invite your organization to participate in our third annual ‘Season of Hope’ tree decorating event,” the letter said. “This special event offers a unique opportunity for local nonprofit organizations like yours to spread holiday cheer, raise awareness for your cause, and participate for a donation of up to $7,500.”

Missak said JOTR members are thrilled and grateful not only for the chance to gain such a sizable donation, but also for the opportunity to introduce the nonprofit to those visiting the casino, located at 4011 Fountain Square Place, Waukegan.

“American Place Casino is essentially handing us 1-in-6 odds of winning what would be, for us, a really significant cash award,” said Missak, whose nonprofit is approaching its 14th annual Toys for Tots Run and after-party on Dec. 6, with details available at jeepsontherun.com. “We are going to have a blast and go all out decorating that tree.”

Missak added that winning could provide seed money for JOTR to expand its U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program involvement.

“In addition to providing toys for children in need at Christmastime, Toys for Tots also operates year-round literacy and foster care programs that I think most people don’t know about,” he said. “We would love to be able to support these other programs throughout the year. This could help jumpstart and fuel a relationship between Jeeps on the Run and Toys for Tots that is more than just during the holiday season.”

Wallace — who noted that American Place Casino representatives were introduced to Jeeps on the Run through a Chain O’ Lakes Chamber of Commerce membership event — said votes will be cast into mailboxes positioned next to each tree. Voting is in-person only.

To vote, casino guests must be 21 or older and must sign up for a free American Place Rewards card. Card holders may vote once per day for free, with an additional vote per day if they earn five base points from playing at the casino.

For other information, visit americanplace.com/promos/season-of-hope. To learn more about Jeeps on the Run, go to jeepsontherun.com.