Here in Alton, the Oasis Women’s Center is a resource for battered and abused women and their children. The Center provides food, shelter and clothing, etc., as most victims leave with absolutely nothing but the clothes on their back.

Through the month of October, Argosy employees collected much needed items to be given to the Oasis Women’s Center – things such as new and like-new clothes, coats, shoes are always desperately needed.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian-based organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. In the effort to help out with this organization, Argosy gives each department an artificial Christmas tree along with a $50 gift card to purchase ornaments to decorate their tree. A silent auction is then held at the employees’ holiday party in December where employees can bid on the Christmas Trees that each dept has decorated. The money collected from the Christmas Trees goes toward helping the Habitat for Humanity purchase materials that are needed. This year Argosy employees raised $715.

The American Red Cross Blood Drive held on Monday, July 23, was the best Blood Drive Argosy has had in several years. Nearly 60 employees volunteered to donate blood. With the blood supply so low in the region, the Red Cross staff was very pleased with the results. Six lucky winners were drawn to receive one day off with pay!

The Red Cross frequently experiences blood shortages during the holiday season, so an additional blood drive was held on December 21, with hopes that as the season for giving arrives people don’t forget about the one most important gift of all - “the gift of life”.

Argosy Casino employees organized together and volunteered to participate in Pride, Incorporated’s annual Bucket Brigade campaign. This is the 10th year the employees have participated in this event.

Argosy employees are very dedicated and conscientious when it comes to community service. They look for ways to make a difference and are willing to work hard toward that goal. Many of Argosy’s employees have painted a Bucket Brigade home every year. Although the homeowners are clearly the people who benefit most from this project, the volunteers are equally blessed by the experience. Not only does everyone enjoy the camaraderie, the employees enjoy seeing the finished project. This is why Argosy employees keep volunteering year after year!

Lee National Denim Day® is the largest single-day fundraiser for the fight against breast cancer. All proceeds from this fundraiser go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating breast cancer. Argosy Casino Alton employees participated in Lee National Denim Day® on Friday, October 5, 2007, by purchasing a pink lapel pin for $5.00 in exchange for wearing denim on Lee National Denim Day®

Argosy Casino Alton employees have participated in this event for two years. For 2007, employees raised a total amount of $680.00 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

September was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Argosy Casino Alton employees participated in an awareness day on Friday, September 14, 2007, by purchasing a blue ribbon lapel pin for a $5.00 donation or more to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition. In exchange, employees were allowed to wear denim on that day. Employees raised $675.00 from the blue ribbon sales. The event was very successful.

The annual United Way campaign kick-off was held Wednesday, August 29, 2007, for Argosy Casino Alton employees. This is an annual event employees participate in. For every dollar pledged per pay employees received an entry into the raffle drawing for prizes and a chance to win a week's vacation with pay. Employees were treated to free food the entire day. The total amount of employees pledges were approx $14,000.00.

The Christmas of Hope program benefited four local charities plus our own internal charity. The charities were the Catholic Children's Home, Oasis Women's Center, and The Boys/Girls Club of Alton & Bethalto.

The Christmas Giving Tree was placed in The Galley (employee break room) with names of children and women from the charitable organizations indicating their wish item. Each organization was assigned a colored ornament and matching collection box. Collection boxes were placed in The Galley from November 27th through December 18th for placement of presents.

Argosy Alton realizes that sometimes our own employees may be in need of assistance during the Holiday season. This was the second year that Argosy set up an opportunity for employees to receive some assistance through this charity drive.