Gural And Vernon Downs Present Checks To Local Charities

Vernon, NY (WIBX) - Vernon Downs Casino and American Racing and Entertainment Chair Jeff Gural are placing winning bets with two local non-profits.

Gural was on hand to personally present a check for $73,710 to the Food Bank of Central New York.

Executive Director Thomas Slater says the donation will change lives. At today's press conference he said, "At this time of year people don't realize, they think about us during the holidays, but it's in the summertime...when we have more services (because) children come home out of the schools. So it comes at a great time and we're very appreciative."

Gural also donated $150,000 worth of tickets to the USO so that members of the military and their families can attend the upcoming Bruce Springsteen concert, making it one of the largest donations in the history of the USO.