Giving Back

Delaware North demonstrates that it's possible to be thousands of places at once every day in communities around the globe.

Through our extensive corporate social responsibility and corporate philanthropy platform that is alive and and well in 200 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, Delaware North is making a difference to millions of people. The following are examples:

Habitat For Humanity
In the wake of the worst natural disaster ever to occur on U.S. soil, Delaware North stepped up and announced plans to help its associates and other residents of New Orleans. Since then, the company has built a long-term partnership with New Orleans Habitat for Humanity, and is funding the development of two homes in neighborhoods ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Company officials from the New Orleans airport were on hand to assist with the wall raising and to meet the family who will occupy one of the two homes that will be completed this year.

Funding the Future
Delaware North is making a difference to students of Nichols School in Buffalo, N.Y. The company's recent $1 million donation to the school is helping to fund an environmentally sustainable science and technology building, a 26,000-square-foot academic center with seven laboratories, eight classrooms and a 40-seat technology learning lab.

Pieces of Heart
To honor the memory of Dr. Lawrence D. Jacobs, a world-renowned neurologist and the late brother of Delaware North Companies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Jacobs, the Jacobs family of Delaware North joined with Dr. Jacobs' family to donate $1 million to Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The money will help continue Dr. Jacobs' groundbreaking work in the field of immunology. Delaware North also sponsors Jog for the Jake, a Father's Day race held for six consecutive years in Buffalo, N.Y. Friends, colleagues, family members, even patients in wheelchairs come out each year to remember the man who was as compassionate as he was brilliant.

Finding New Homes
Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack, a Western New York venue Delaware North has owned and operated for decades, recently built the Purple Haze Center to aid in the adoption of thoroughbred former racehorses. The 10,000-square-foot facility, the first of its kind on the grounds of a racetrack, serves as the headquarters of the Finger Lakes Adoption Program.

Ride Against Cancer
The Boston Bruins Foundation again put together a team to participate in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, a two-day, 192-mile bike-a-thon that raises funds for cancer research and training. Charlie Jacobs, executive vice president of the Bruins, and his wife, Kim, captained last year's squad, which consisted of other Bruins and TD Banknorth Garden executives and former Bruins players. The team raised more than $100,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

United We Stand
Delaware North is one of the top contributors to the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County and its community campaign that helps fund health and human service agencies.

A New Foundation
Southland Park Gaming & Racing launched its new community foundation by awarding $180,000 in grants to charitable organizations, local community foundations and schools in West Memphis, Ark., Crittenden County and the region.