Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort won $10,000 from the Caesars Foundation to be donated to the local American Cancer Society – Making Strides Walk based on the property’s efforts to bring breast cancer awareness to its employees.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort presented the local American Cancer Society chapter with a $10,000 donation, which was won in a national Caesars Foundation competition. Shown (left-right) are Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Benefits and Wellness Manager Arnie Braswell, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Wellness Coach Darlene Ousley, American Cancer Society – Asheville Senior Representative for Community Engagement Sarah Bishop, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort VP of Human Resources and External Relations Jo Blaylock, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Hotel Front Desk Representative Natalie Hawkins, and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Community Relations Specialist Janna Hyatt. (Harrah’s Cherokee photos)
The Caesars Foundation breast cancer awareness contest was a competition among all North American Caesars casinos to identify the property that had the most employee participation in breast cancer awareness events during October. Along with recognizing the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Harrah’s Cherokee hosted an entire Pink Week entitled ‘Treasure Your Chest’ to educate employees and guests about breast cancer. Contest points were awarded in several different categories including employee participation in a Beautiful Bra Pageant, volunteer opportunities, and media exposure. After the final tally, Harrah’s Cherokee reigned supreme over 47 Caesars properties.
“Here at Harrah’s Cherokee, we encourage wellness among our employees and guests because it’s the right thing to do,” Darlene Ousley, Harrah’s Cherokee wellness coach, said. “Our wellness goal is always to find that one person who needed to be reached and didn’t even know it. Whether it’s breast cancer, heart disease, or diabetes – we are always reaching out for that one.”
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort won $10,000 in a Caesars Foundation breast cancer awareness competition to be donated to the local American Cancer Society. Harrah’s Cherokee employees participated in a remembrance walk and balloon release along with other pink-themed events during ‘Treasure Your Chest’ in October.
‘Treasure Your Chest’ was Harrah’s Cherokee’s third annual Pink Week event. From learning about breast self-exams on Mammo Monday to participating in a remembrance walk, ‘Treasure Your Chest’ brought awareness to employees and guests about breast cancer. Harrah’s Cherokee senior leadership even strutted on stage in bras decorated by employees at the Beautiful Bra Contest in the Essence Lounge. Employees had the difficult task of voting for their favorite of 36 bras. Everything from a Barbie to a Beanie Baby adorned the cups of bras. The Beautiful Bra Pageant was the grand finale of ‘Treasure Your Chest.’
“It is sometimes difficult to create a fun atmosphere around breast cancer awareness, but our employees have a blast every October during our Pink Week events,” Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort vice president of human resources and external relations Jo Blaylock said. “Our commitment to breast cancer awareness is one of many ways we show how much we care for the wellbeing of our employees and guests. The corporate recognition is just one more reason that Harrah’s Cherokee really is the best place to work.”
The local American Cancer Society chapter will use the donation for research and to provide programs and services to Western North Carolina residents.
To date, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, its properties, and the Caesars Foundation have contributed more than $3.5 million to cancer-related organizations through cash and in-kind donations. Caesars also supports numerous fundraising activities for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and other cancer research organizations.
– Harrah’s Cherokee
