Employee Volunteer All-stars
Commercial gaming industry employees donate tens of thousands of hours of volunteer hours a year. Through coordinating youth education initiatives and caring for wounded veterans to raising funds for medical research and caring for the environment, industry employees make a significant impact in their communities.
The following individuals have been nominated by their companies as industry employee Volunteer All-Stars. Their stories of service provide a snapshot of a workforce dedicated to giving back and making a difference. The AGA salutes their outstanding contributions.
Honorable Mention
Tina Hazy
Cage Supervisor, Main Cage
Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino
Tina Hazy, a cage supervisor at Rio, has involved her fellow cage team members in raising money for multiple charitable causes, including Blue Star Mothers, Canstruct and Adopt-a-Family. One highlight among her many efforts was organizing the cage to adopt a family in need during the holidays last year. The end result was new shoes, coats and toys, as well as a Target gift card and over $1000 in gifts and necessities donated to a single mother and her three children. Tina is also involved in Blue Star Mothers, an organization that helps send care packages to troops in Afghanistan. Tina’s work is an inspiration for her fellow employees, and she is already busy working on new ideas for future events to raise more money for upcoming causes, including those that support the elderly and animals.
Robin Hookway
Training & Organizational Development Project Manager
Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
Since joining Ameristar Casinos, Inc. in 2004, Robin Hookway has participated in dozens of company events. Most recently, she volunteered at the Three Square Food Bank, packing kid-friendly, shelf stable foods into bags that are delivered to low-income schools to ensure children have nutritious food for the weekend. She also participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, pre-cleaned used soap at Clean the World, and served a holiday meal to senior adults at the Las Vegas Adult Day Care Center. Robin says she volunteers because she enjoys giving back and feeling the appreciations of the staffs at the charity organizations she visits. Robin leads Ameristar’s More Green committee at the corporate office, raising awareness for the company’s commitment to reducing, reusing and recycling. She also served as a committee member for two years for Ameristar’s internal Workplace Giving campaign.
Derris Hunt
The Mirage Fitness Instructor
MGM Resorts International
American Red Cross Everyday Hero honoree Derris Hunt didn’t set out to change the community, he just wanted to share his passion for fitness with others and wound up changing it in the process. The Mirage fitness instructor spearheaded an effort to establish a fitness center for the visually impaired at the Blind Center of Nevada, where no one had brought fitness into the lives of the blind individuals. The members who he helps are now physically feeling better about themselves, losing weight and taking control of their health; they are also becoming more confident and are thriving with each goal they accomplish. “Derris has made a difference in the members of the Blind Center physically, mentally and emotionally,” says the Center’s Program Manager Samantha Steele. “He provides a huge boost in their self-confidence and independence.”
Wendy Marsh
Product Manager, Systems USA
Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
Wendy Marsh serves as a product manager for Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. where she has worked for three years. Since she began, Wendy has been a huge supporter of Aristocrat’s high standards for community involvement. At the forefront of Wendy’s involvement is her role as Community Involvement Committee officer, handling everything from budgets to chairing various events throughout the year. Aristocrat supports many organizations within the Las Vegas community, and Wendy tends to have a soft spot for helping the homeless men, women and children of Nevada by serving meals at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission and The Shade Tree. Wendy’s goal is to share a little bit of sunshine with those who are going through a crisis and looking to regain their dignity and place in society.
Robin Matos
Habitat Supervisor
Flamingo Las Vegas
As a habitat supervisor at Flamingo, coworkers say Robin Matos not only cares for animals, but nurses the sick and cares for them as if “they were her own children.” She has rescued many animals from devastating situations to see them prosper at the habitat area as well as at her own home or at other homes where they have been adopted. Robin inspires others with her devotion and countless hours given to several charitable functions—both within and outside of work—including Rebuilding Together, Second Wind Dreams, Toys for Tots, Adopt a Bear, the blood drive and Junior Achievement.
Greg McKnight
Slot Technician
Ameristar Casino Vicksburg
Greg McKnight has a passion for youth and tries to make a positive influence in as many of their lives as possible. When not working as a slot technician for Ameristar Casino Vicksburg (Mississippi), Greg is actively involved in community outreach as commissioner for the local Pee Wee Football League (ages 5-12) and coach of one of the teams. His involvement with the league has helped him connect with troubled youth in the community. Greg also spreads the spirit of Ameristar Cares throughout the Vicksburg community by packing toys for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, loading hundreds of Santa bags for the Good Shepherd Community Center Christmas program, serving lunch at the Senior Center, singing Christmas carols at the local nursing home, and much more. Greg is not only the first to sign up for events, but he recruits and supports volunteers in his department and others to reach members of the community. He was recently recognized as Team Member of the Month.
Terri Miller
Table Games Dealer
Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
In 25 years as a dealer at Harrah’s Las Vegas, Terri Miller has not only provided a pleasant environment on the tables she is assigned to, but she has devoted herself to programs that assist fellow employees and the community. Terri was part of the group of employees instrumental in establishing Harrah’s Employees Reaching Out, which is the foundation of Caesars Entertainment Corp.’s HERO service organization. Terri volunteers with disabled members of the community and frequently participates in the various walk-a-thons that raise money and awareness about critical issues. Also, she has consistently organized a teddy bear/stuffed animal distribution for hospitalized children in the Las Vegas community during the Christmas season.
Jim Mulford
EVS Manager and Executive Steward
Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City
One of Jim Mulford’s favorite things about Ameristar is the opportunity to give back to the community—and last year he gave more than 63 hours at six volunteer events. When not working as an EVS manager and executive steward, Jim has carried the Ameristar Cares team in many volunteer events. For the Thanksgiving Dinner at Don Bosco Senior Center—which serves seniors and those with disabilities—Jim leads the event by ordering the food and beverages, preparing and loading other items, and seeing that the event goes smoothly. Jim is always the go-to volunteer when Ameristar is able to give bulk items to a nonprofit organization or charity. In addition to what he does through Ameristar Cares, Jim also helps other charities in the community.
Virginia Ross
Sous Chef
River City Casino
For Virginia Ross, a sous chef at River City Casino (Missouri), it’s important to show others in the community the value of being green and—more importantly—staying green. Virginia has an interest in cooking and sustainable farming and how it relates to our future health. Because of Virginia’s work in these areas—which includes lectures, demos and in-house practices—the St. Louis community is now aware of Pinnacle’s green activities. Virginia participates monthly in Gateway Greening, a local non-profit that assists homeless and individuals recently released from prison by offering cooking demos that teach farming, sustainability and healthy cooking methods. Additionally, Virginia has monitored and educated other River City cooks on the long-term effects of failing to recycle. She took it upon herself to standardize and place recycling bins in the most effective areas of the kitchen. Virginia’s dedication has not only helped the community by raising awareness, but coworkers call her work inspiring and credit it with creating more unity among the staff.
Karen Sicard
Facilities Engineer
Planet Hollywood Las Vegas
Karen Sicard, a facilities engineer at Planet Hollywood, knows how to stay busy with her commitment to volunteering. She has played a vital role in the organization of—and collaboration on—the First Annual Bike Run, which resulted in Karen and her team raising over $1,000 for the United Way. Karen also leads the Friends in the Desert Organization, helping provide food and clothing to people in need who live in the Vegas Valley.
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