4 local organizations competing for cash

Published 9:38 am Thursday, March 17, 2016

Four local charities are competing with organizations in seven states as part of Community Aces Challenge, a social media contest launched by Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. to award winning nonprofits a share of $50,000.

The four area nonprofits are Vicksburg CAP Center, United Way of West Central Mississippi, Paws Rescue and the Southern Heritage Air Foundation.

“At Isle of Capri Casinos we believe in being good neighbors through charitable giving and volunteer work. Our Community Aces program, named in honor of our founder, Bernard Goldstein, includes the Community Aces Challenge,” said Paul Avery, Lady Luck Casino Vicksburg vice president and general manager. “The Challenge is designed as a social media competition for nonprofit projects which will improve the quality of life of those who live and work in the communities we call home.”

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Each of the four charities pitched a project, and the project descriptions in their entirety can be found on the competition website.

• The CAP center would use winning funds to further its mission of neglect and child abuse prevention.

• The United Way pitched project LEARN, which is aimed at promoting literacy within Vicksburg and Warren County.

• Paws Rescue’s Project Fix It would provide financial assistance to low income families to spay, neuter and vaccinate their pets.

• If Southern Heritage Air Foundation wins, proceeds will be used to support their air show, which donates proceeds to the Warrior Bonfire Program.

More than 250 nonprofit organizations applied to participate in the challenge; 123 eligible projects were selected to compete. Voting is a web-based and runs through April 1.

At the conclusion of voting, grants will be awarded as follows: $25,000, $15,000, $5,000 and two $2,500 grants. Funds will awarded by Isle’s Community Aces Fund administered by the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation.

To vote or see the official rules visit communityaceschallenge.com.