Casino is donating $25,000 to NAACP
3/2/2012The local NAACP chapter plans to send up to eight high school students to a national competition, after word it was receiving a $25,000 donation from the Hollywood Casino Toledo.
In a short presentation Thursday, casino executives gave a ceremonial check to the Toledo NAACP's president, the Rev. Kevin Bedford.
The bulk of the money will pay for travel, lodging, registration fees, and other costs associated with the Academic, Cultural, Technological, Scientific Olympics, a local and national NAACP competition in which students compete in academics, performing arts, business, and other categories.
"It's important because it gives kids the national exposure that they may not otherwise receive coming from some of the poorest of the poor communities," said Pastor Bedford of the Third Baptist Church.
Since 1978, the Toledo chapter has sent students to the Olympic event, known as ACT-SO. This year, the national competition will be held in Houston.
Thursday's event marked the second time this week casino officials said they planned to donate to an outside group. The casino is also giving $12,750 to the city of Rossford to pay for a new police dog and training.
The $300 million casino on the Maumee riverfront -- about 90 percent built -- will open no earlier than May 29, making it the state's second Las Vegas-style casino to open.