The spirit of giving was omnipresent at a pair of Harrington Raceway and Casino donation drives in the fourth quarter of 2024. Nearly $22,000 was cumulatively raised at individual events held by the Harrington-based casino benefitting a pair of popular local charities who aim to help children and their families, Ronald McDonald House of Delaware and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
An outpouring of support from the community bolstered the donation drives with a robust turnout. Both events have been long standing as community partners of Harrington Raceway and Casino, each raised approximately $11,000.
“Harrington Raceway and Casino is grateful to the 2200 guests that supported these two events and helped us raise this much money,” said Hank Rosenberg, Harrington Raceway and Casino’s COO of Hospitality, who also serves on the Advisory Board of the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware. “Our company has a mission to support our local community and through our Mid-Del Foundation and events like this we are so proud of what we have achieved this past year. Most people don’t realize how these two non-profits benefit our local communities and our neighbors. Approximately one-third of the families that use The Ronald McDonald House are from Kent and Sussex County. The average cost to grant a wish for Make A Wish is $11,000 so our fundraiser will essentially sponsor a child from our local community. I personally over the past few months have either completed or are working on wishes in Dover, Harrington and the beach area so it really hits home for me knowing we are supporting families from where I work and live.”
Ronald McDonald House of Delaware has several fundraiser events throughout the state ranging from a golf tournament to 5k run/walk events in addition to the casino’s donation drive.
“We appreciate the Harrington Raceway and Casino’s commitment to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware and the thousands of families we serve annually.,” said Pam Cornforth, President/CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware. “The recent “free play” fundraiser raised over $11,200 for which we are so grateful. These funds help us to provide our families with a safe, warm and affordable place to stay, as well as meals while their child is receiving specialized medical treatments at a nearby hospital. We give families what they need most, a chance to be together during a very difficult time. Thank you to Harrington Raceway and Casino for their long-term and meaningful partnership.”
Ronald McDonald House of Delaware provides a service to families of seriously ill children by enabling access to medical care and offering a venue that provides comfort, hope and a “home away from home.” To learn more visit https://rmhcdelaware.org/.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser in the casino was on December 29 and saw donations from approximately 1,000 patrons. “We are so thankful for Harrington Raceway and Casino’s support in helping us to grant life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses,” said Laura Klatzkin, Development Director for Make-A-Wish (Philadelphia/Susquehanna Valley/Delaware). “With their support and partnership, we can bring hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most.”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted 57 wishes in 2024 in Delaware and is the world's leading children's wish-granting organization, having served children throughout the United States and 50 countries.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation creates life-changing wishes for a critically ill families. To learn about their Philadelphia/Delaware/Susquehanna Valley Chapter, please visit https://wish.org/philadesv.
Photo - from left to right, Harrington Raceway and Casino’s Joanne Durham (Players Club Manager), Hank Rosenberg (Chief Operation Officer Of Hospitality), Matt Sparacino (Director of Public Relations) and Ronald McDonald House of Delaware’s Cindy Olsavsky
Photo - from left to right, Make-A-Wish’s Laura Klatzkin (Development Director), Harrington Raceway and Casino’s Hank Rosenberg, Joanne Durham and Matt Sparacino
