ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Several local organizations were celebrated for their work in the Elk Grove community and beyond at an event held by Sky River Casino on Jan. 7. 

The event was the third annual celebration and was held at the 32 Brews Street restaurant at Sky River. The casino holds the event to celebrate 10 hard-working organizations. Each organization received $2,000 as well as additional funds if they make the top three in votes. The third-place winner earned an additional $3,000, second place earned $3,500 and first place earned $4,500 total.

Paws for a Purpose was awarded the first-place prize, followed by Cosumnes Firefighters Community Support Foundation and Elk Grove Food Bank. The casino also honored these other Elk Grove nonprofits: Chicks in Crisis, Project R.I.D.E., Runnin’ with Rhett and Senior Center of Elk Grove. 

Asian Resources, Inc. of Sacramento and Wilton Animal Rescue of Wilton were also honored. 

The 10 nonprofits gathered before Michael Facenda, the president and general manager for Sky River Casino, who presented each of the participating groups with money that was earned for their participation. 

This event had “all-time high” in participation votes, Facenda said. A total of 48,000 votes were counted, which was a 7% increase compared to the previous year. Facenda said that the event was a good way to celebrate all the great work done by the community and in following the footsteps of the casino’s owners, the Wilton-Rancheria, in terms of commitment and making sure there is growth in the community.

“We’re happy to be involved and have their support, and you have 10 great agencies’ wonderful things in the community,” Facenda said.

The Paws for a Purpose organization helps to pay for medical and dental emergencies for city of Elk Grove shelter animals as well as family pets in the Elk Grove community, 

June Lavine, president and co-founder of Paws for Purpose, had the organization’s wreath decorated in commemoration for her dog, Precious, who was a rescue animal and had cancer. The dog was expected to live for three to six months but lived for four years. 

For Cosumnes Fire Department Captain Doug Masters, winning second place was great, he said, as it was wonderful knowing that people appreciate the effort that the fire department put into making the wreath. 

The foundation seeks ways to improve the Elk Grove and Galt community and offers scholarships for students pursuing the paramedic, firefight and environmental preservation fields.

Masters noted that in the previous year, the Cosumnes Fire Department didn’t place “as well as second place,” so they made some improvements, and it involved a lot of teamwork. 

Masters said he is confident in the foundation’s chances for next year. 

“We have plans for next year; we’re shooting for first place,” Masters said. 

Valerie Erwin, community outreach manager for the Elk Grove Food Bank, said that the food bank had participated in the previous two events. Erwin said the food bank staff felt “lucky to be included in this event.”

“Even if we hadn’t won, just by participating, Sky River is so generous to offer all of the entrants’ donation,” Erwin said. “It doesn’t make a bit of difference if we win second or third; we’re always thrilled for the community support.”