5 Rivers Casinos in 4 states in lockstep for annual “Rivers Gives Day of Service”
DES PLAINES, Illinois — Sept. 18, 2025 — The combined forces of Rivers Casinos and Rush Street Gaming gave a synchronized, localized lift to workforce development and economic opportunity on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Empowering individuals and small-business owners to drive personal, career and economic growth was the enterprise-wide focus of this year’s “Rivers Gives Day of Service.”
To support this imperative, more than 6,000 Team Members from all five Rivers’ gaming properties, plus Rush Street’s Chicago HQ, deployed in their respective operating markets. Select nonprofit community partners with this shared mission had fleets of helpers from Rivers Casino arrive to volunteer.
Team Members mobilized at Rivers Casinos in Des Plaines, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Schenectady, New York; and Portsmouth, Virginia.
Additionally, various Rivers Casino property activations and information exchanges are planned systemwide, featuring content and guidance ranging from job readiness and tuition reimbursement to home buying, financial literacy and more.
“Rivers Gives” is Rush Street Gaming’s long-standing community outreach program. The key pillars of Rivers Gives are volunteerism, board service, donation drives, in-kind contributions and corporate giving. Through Rivers Gives, each Rivers Casino contributes thousands of volunteer hours to local nonprofit partners each year.
This is the third annual Rivers Gives Day of Service, during which each Rivers Casino coordinates its ongoing multifaceted community engagement programs in four different states. A unifying intention — such as workforce development and economic opportunity — is selected across all markets, and a plan is then activated throughout the entire organization.
“Rivers Casino is proud to support workforce development and economic opportunity in the communities we serve,” said Tim Drehkoff, CEO of Rivers Casino and Rush Street Gaming. “By partnering with local organizations, we’re helping individuals build careers, gain financial stability and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.”
After 2023’s inaugural year, Rush Street Gaming was inspired by its Team Members to make Rivers Gives Day of Service an annual event to demonstrate gratitude and to uplift its communities. In previous years, initiatives have supported military veterans and first responders as well as health and wellness nonprofits.
“Helping people realize their growth potential and achieve success is at the heart of what we do,” said Dawn Reynolds Pettit, chief human resources officer of Rush Street Gaming. “Doing great work in our communities is a priority 365 days per year, and on Rivers Gives Day of Service we celebrate that alignment.”
Across their operating markets, Rivers Casino and Rush Street Gaming annually contribute approximately $14 million to local nonprofit partners and various community groups.
Rivers Casino Des Plaines Partners with Cara Collective and Search Inc.
For its day of service, Rivers Casino Des Plaines partnered with Cara Collective and Search Inc.
Cara Collective is dedicated to developing an inclusive economy by creating employment pathways to advance transformative individual and community success. Cara’s mission centers on bridging the gap between the community and providing training, personal coaching, and opportunities to people affected by poverty.
Search Inc. has provided high-quality services and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1968, including employment programs. Their programs serve more than 350 individuals and families annually throughout the Chicago region.
Throughout September, Rivers collected professional clothing and donated the items to support Cara’s Care Closet. During the day of service, Rivers Casino’s volunteers assembled 200 job readiness packages containing items to assist individuals in preparing for a job interview, which were presented to Cara Collective and Search Inc. to support their clients.
Team Members also volunteered on-site at both organizations. At Cara Collective, the Rivers crew helped to organize the considerable clothing donations and conducted mock interviews with Cara clients to provide live feedback. Meanwhile, another group of volunteers headed to Mt. Prospect to help beautify the front entrance, building, and garden of Search’s local facility.
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Responsible Gaming:
Must be 21 years of age or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).
About Rivers Casino Des Plaines:
Rivers Casino Des Plaines is the most successful casino in Illinois and jointly owned by Rush Street Gaming and Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (Nasdaq: CHDN).
ABOUT RUSH STREET GAMING
Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates have developed and currently operate successful casinos in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Des Plaines, Illinois; Portsmouth, Virginia; and Schenectady, New York. All Rush Street Gaming casinos have been voted a “Best Place to Work” or “Top Workplace” by their team members. Rush Street Gaming affiliates also developed and previously operated the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Canada.