Potawatomi Bingo Casino donated $1,074,391 to numerous local children’s charities tonight through its Miracle on Canal Street program.
This amount was the second highest total the Miracle program has raised in a single year.
One hundred and fifty-six (156) local non-profit organizations each received a vital gift of funds to provide direct services to children.
The 20 official Miracle on Canal Street charities each received $35,813, which was announced during Friday’s grand finale.
Ten of those organizations were randomly selected live during the event, joining 10 signature charities previously selected by the Casino’s media partners in August.
For the first time ever, and in celebration of Miracle on Canal Street’s 20th anniversary, the Casino surprised the remaining 136 eligible children’s charities by announcing every organization would share in this year’s program by splitting one-third of the grand total. Each of these charities received a gift of $2,633.
“This is an amazing gift to the community.
Not many organizations in town give to charity at this level,” said Andre Olton, executive director of Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center.
“Big or small, every contribution is going to provide vital funds to worthy organizations that deliver valuable services to children.”
The Casino also announced its 20-year grand total.
Since its inception in 1994, the Miracle on Canal Street program has made 552 donations totaling more than $13.6 million to fund children’s programs throughout southeastern Wisconsin.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the success of this year’s Miracle on Canal Street program,” said Melanie Martin, bingo director at Potawatomi Bingo Casino.
“It was great to see the reaction from all the charities present at the finale when we revealed they would all be receiving a portion from this year’s funds.
It was the perfect ending to cap off our 20th anniversary celebration.” The 20 organizations that received a $35,813 donation from Potawatomi Bingo Casino include:
• Arts @ Large
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ozaukee County
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Racine & Kenosha Counties
• Civic Music Association of Milwaukee
• COA Youth & Family Centers -presented by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• Fondy Food Center
• Hunger Task Force -presented by Milwaukee Radio Group
• Meta House-presented by Clear Channel Media + Entertainment
• Milwaukee Center for Independence -presented by WISN-TV 12
• Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity-presented by Milwaukee Radio Alliance
• Milwaukee Public Museum -presented by Lamar Outdoor
• New Concept Self Development Center
• Nova Services
• Outreach Community Health Centers
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin-presented by Clear Channel Outdoor
· SHARP Literacy-presented by WITI-FOX 6
• Special Spaces-Wisconsin- presented by Journal Broadcast Group
• Urban Ecology Center
• Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center-presented by OnMilwaukee.com
• Waukesha Community Art Project
Miracle on Canal Street is the Casino’s signature charitable program.
Its mission is to improve the quality of life for children in southeastern Wisconsin.
“Ending childhood hunger in Milwaukee is our mission and it is a critical issue facing our community,” said Sherrie Tussler, executive director for Hunger Task Force.
“The funds we receive from Miracle on Canal Street this year will help us provide even more meals to children and continue our educational programs that teach children the importance of nutrition.”
Miracle on Canal Street funds are raised primarily through special Miracle bingo games played during every bingo session.
This year, other funding sources included a $10 optional add-on during select Miracle poker tournaments, ticket sales of designated “Tribute to the King” shows in the Northern Lights Theater and special beverage promotions.
The entire Casino gets involved in making this program a success.
“The children we serve face such incredible health challenges, so we’re very grateful to be a signature Miracle on Canal Street charity,” said Ann Swain, state director for Special Spaces-Wisconsin.
“The funds we receive will help us continue our mission of creating dream bedrooms for children, giving them a special place to find comfort, hope and inspiration.”
Potawatomi Bingo Casino continues to make a significant positive economic impact on both the state and local communities through job creation, revenue sharing and support of local charities and community organizations.
“Caring for the Community” is a component of the Casino’s mission and one of five key areas of focus that serve as the base for the Casino’s social responsibility efforts entitled- Building on a Tradition of Responsibility.
Eligible charities applied during a call for entry period which closed in June.
Eligible organizations must have 501(c) (3) status, serve a primary client base of children younger than 18 and be located within Milwaukee, Racine, Washington, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Sheboygan or Walworth counties. A complete list of submission guidelines is available at www.paysbig.com/miracle.
