YONKERS, NY — National Volunteer Month made the world a better place, and the workers at a Westchester destination did their part.
Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts employees marked National Volunteer Month in April by taking part in service projects across Westchester and the Bronx, including food sorting, home renovation, early childhood reading and community garden work.
Employees partnered with the Fuller Center to construct 9/11 Memorial benches ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Empire City workers also assisted the Fuller Center with home renovation projects in Yonkers for local families.
Other April projects included a book reading with Astor Services, where volunteers read to pre-kindergarten students at Little Red Schoolhouse in the Bronx. At Feeding Westchester's Elmsford facility, employees sorted and packaged food through the nonprofit's Retail Recovery program, which rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and helps feed tens of thousands of people each month.
Employees worked with Catholic Charities Community Services Archdiocese of New York to help revitalize a local community garden by planting, mulching and serving lunch to volunteers.
“Volunteerism is in the DNA of Empire City’s mission, both in New York and across MGM Resorts globally,” said Louis Theros, President and Chief Operating Officer of Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “We encourage our employees to support the community, and we are proud to continue making a positive impact in the Bronx and Westchester.”
The volunteer work continued in May, when employees joined Groundwork Hudson Valley for the Saw Mill River Cleanup, according to the company. Empire City also announced it will host the New York Blood Center’s annual community blood drive on June 18 as New York continues to face critically low blood shortages.
Empire City said its volunteer efforts have expanded since MGM Resorts acquired the property in 2019. According to the company, MGM Resorts surpassed a company-wide goal of one million volunteer hours by 2025, a year ahead of schedule. The company said Empire City employees logged thousands of volunteer hours over the last year, including work with Feeding Westchester, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Queen’s Daughter Daycare, Catholic Charities, Part of the Solution and Volunteer New York.
The company said its philanthropic initiatives are aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations that provide direct services in communities where Empire City operates and where its employees live.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Rivertowns, NY Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.