Employee Volunteer All-Stars Archive
2012
Erika Moore
Casino Revenue Supervisor
Bally’s Atlantic City
Erika Moore is the co-founder of Youth Exposure of Atlantic City, a program that provides Atlantic City middle school students with positive role models and mentors. The program encourages students to make positive decisions and reach for their dreams. Erika spends much of her free time raising funds for the group as well as leading overnight excursions to New York’s Central Park, regional camping grounds, historical monuments and more. Erika also participates in the “It’s Your Future” program, which teaches young children about the benefits of making good, positive choices for their future. From meetings with property leaders to first-hand job experience and more, this program is molding future business leaders.
Phyllis Nagel
Slot Floorperson
Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg
Slot floorperson Phyllis Nagel is actively involved in an organization called the Cinderella Project. This organization helps underprivileged girls realize their dreams of going to the prom. Phyllis searches and shops for prom dresses at discount and second-hand stores. She also offers her services as a former beautician to do nails, hair and make-up for these girls who could not afford this pampering. Through the Cinderella Project and Phyllis’ efforts, a prom fantasy with the glitz and glamour becomes a night to remember for these young ladies.
Bob Olvera-Fout
P.T. Casino Host
Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf
Bob Olvera-Fout has a deeply rooted passion for helping people. Bob has been a “crowd favorite” with Isle guests for many years through his work in the casino host department. While Bob has done great things during his time at the Isle, he has left his biggest mark on the soccer fields of Rock Island, where he has provided opportunities for countless under-privileged boys. Bob founded a non-profit in 2009 called “Opportunity Kicks,” which sponsors four diverse youth teams ranging in age from under-1010 to under-18. Although “Opportunity Kicks” wasn’t officially founded until recently, Bob has coached teams, provided mentoring and financial support to area youth for almost two decades. Currently “Opportunity Kicks” benefits 62 children. Bob’s contributions to Rock Island youth extends far beyond simply organizing opportunities to play soccer. His work with Rock Island youth is so impressive it has earned him Rock Island’s Individual Citizen of the Year in 2009 and the 2010 Lujack’s Extra Mile Award. “Bob is a mentor to these kids, he would do anything for them,” said Bill Polito, whose son played on one of Bob’s teams for five years. “He goes to see them at other sports they participate in, spends his own money on clothes and hygiene products, helps them with their homework…anything those kids need.”
Jennifer Ozoa
Internal Auditor
Hollywood Casino Aurora
Jennifer has been involved in almost all of the volunteer projects that have been championed at Hollywood Casino Aurora. She has not worried about getting dirty during clean ups of the riverbank and has sorted, stacked and lugged food at Holy Angels Food Pantry. The list is long including all of the events she has participated in and organizations she has helped. Examples include Holy Angels Food Pantry, Rebuilding Together Aurora, School Supply Drives, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Help Save Aurora’s Riverbank, Association for Individual Development Telethon, Hesed House Homeless Shelter, American Cancer Society 24-hour Walk, Operation Support Our Troops, Operation Weed and Seed, and View Street House Rehab.
Tia Richardson
HR Generalist
Cadillac Jack
Tia Richardson, a human resources generalist at Cadillac Jack, is very active in her community. Tia, who volunteers with Cool Girls of Atlanta and Youth Career Camp in Statesboro, Ga., is passionate about mentoring young people. She has a passion to see young people develop their full potential through academics, sports or the arts and lives by the quote, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” During the summer, Tia takes one week off to assist her father with Youth Career Camp in Statesboro, which helps students explore career fields in science and technology. In addition, Tia volunteers with the American Cancer Society, SHRM Atlanta and the Atlanta Urban League, among others.
Rip Rippetoe
Global Trade Show and Special Event Manager
International Game Technology (IGT) Las Vegas
A few years ago, Rip Rippetoe, an IGT global trade show and special event manager, kicked off the first season of the Miracle League of Las Vegas with 70 players and six teams. Now, Rip and his wife Leah, who serve as co-executive directors of the league, have increased participation to 161 players and 12 teams. Sixteen Saturdays a year, the Miracle League brings access to the game of baseball to everyone, regardless of their disability. Players range in age from four to 70 and have disabilities including brain injuries, cerebral palsy, autism and other mental and physical disabilities. Players are accompanied by a buddy who guides them around the bases to ensure player safety while teaching them about the game and being a team player. Rip’s inspiration for joining the Miracle League came after he and his wife attended the Paralympics. The organization is currently raising funds to purchase lights so they can expand the group by allowing teams to play night games. Funding for the organization comes through grants, fundraising and sponsorships.
Kristine Sandbach
Supplier Coordinator
Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada
Kristine Sandbach joined Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada (SWS), as supplier coordinator on May 5, 2011. Her professional background is in finance and marketing. In addition to her duties in sales at Southern, she has thrown herself into leading the Southern Wine and Spirits volunteer organization (IMPACT). She is relentless in seeking out and presenting volunteer opportunities to SWS employees. She is responsible for creating the IMPACT newsletter, informing employees of what has been happening, and what is upcoming in volunteer opportunities. Kristine literally throws herself into every volunteer activity. So much, that she not only coordinated efforts for Southern Wine and Spirits to participate in the Las Vegas Corporate Challenge (an initiative that promotes community and teamwork), she broke her foot paying volleyball participating in it! She is the first person to sacrifice herself for the betterment of community and volunteerism!
Ian Scott
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Cadillac Jack
Ian Scott, one of Cadillac Jack’s senior mechanical engineers, volunteers as an instructor with the Peachstate Region of the Porsche Club of America at its High Performance Driving School at the Road Atlanta Raceway. Part of the proceeds are used for the region’s charity program, including the Tommy Nobis Center and America 4R Marines. Each year, the club donates in excess of $20,000 in proceeds to these organizations.
Michael Stadnicki
Dual Rate Pit Manager
Showboat Atlantic City
At any given time, Michael can be seen serving his community through volunteerism because he firmly believes in giving back to the community where he lives, works and has raised his children. Some of his efforts include working as a youth sports coach and referee for over 20 years; managing his son’s soccer club team; organizing youth activities for the Resurrection Knights of Columbus Council; coordinating the “Feed the Needy” program, which provides a completed holiday dinner, food and gifts for more than 150 families each year; organizing fundraising trips to raise funds for Father Kennedy’s Happy Home Orphanage in India; and contributing his time and resources to the United Way and local American Red Cross blood drives.
Aloma Taylor
Casino Services
Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg
Casino services cast member Aloma Taylor was a community service award winner in November. Aloma has a kind and generous heart. She donates wigs to Children’s Hospital for kids who have cancer and lost their hair due to chemotherapy. She is always willing to reach out to others, offering help or assistance any way she can. Aloma makes the world a better place, especially for the kids battling cancer at Children’s Hospital.
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