Contributed CHANGING THE GAME — Staci Stephen, executive director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, accepts a check from David Morris, director of marketing at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack. The donation was made possible through the casino’s Game Changer program.

WHEELING — Patrons and staff members at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack make small contributions that collectively add up to big donations for charitable organizations in the Ohio Valley.

This week, Wheeling Island presented checks to two of those nonprofit organizations – The United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley and Augusta Levy Learning Center. The donations represented funds collected through Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack’s Game Changer program, which has raised a total of $28,636 so far in 2025.

The Game Changer program gives both guests and associates of Wheeling Island an opportunity to support local causes in two different ways. Guests at the casino or racetrack can donate by placing uncashed casino or racing vouchers into donation boxes throughout the property. Associates at Wheeling Island can contribute $5 each Friday for the opportunity to wear jeans and a jersey or T-shirt to work that day.

The small, simple gestures of giving add up to make a big difference in the lives of local people who benefit from programs supported by the United Way and Augusta Levy, officials said.

“I’m very excited to be kicking off our 2025 Game Changer program here at Wheeling Island,” David Morris, director of marketing at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, said. “We’re proud to support two incredible organizations that are doing critical work right here in our community. What makes the Game Changer program so special is that every dollar donated stays local. It’s our guests and team members making a direct and meaningful impact in the place we all call home.

The United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley received a check in the amount of $17,909 to help fund dozens of community programs – from food assistance to utility support, health services and youth initiatives.

“We’re so appreciative to Wheeling Island for their Game Changer program,” said Staci Stephen, executive director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. “All of those proceeds go to our annual campaign Raised Here, Stays Here – which means 100% of what we raise stays here in the Ohio Valley.”

The United Way supports a wide variety of local programs that directly help those in need.

“We partner with 30 programs throughout the Ohio Valley that go to things like Wheeling Health Rite’s dental clinic, or scholarship programs through the Girl Scouts, also through the YMCA’s summer program Y-4-Life, the YWCA’s two programs that we support … a lot of good services here in the Ohio Valley that this helps us support, and we can’t thank them enough,” Stephen said.

The Augusta Levy Learning Center was presented a check this week in the amount of $10,727.

“This is a charity that is very close to my heart,” Morris said.

A pioneering nonprofit in the area, the Augusta Levy provides evidence-based treatment to children with autism spectrum disorder at its learning and behavioral center in Wheeling.

“We’re very thankful for the donation from Wheeling Island’s Game Changer program,” said Taylor Rys, community and development coordinator at Augusta Levy Learning Center. “One hundred percent of the proceeds from this donation will go to the center to help cover the costs of services for all of our students.”

Officials from Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack said more nonprofit organizations and local charities are earmarked to receive future collections this year.

“I want to thank all of our guests and our wonderful team members for their support in the Game Changer program,” Morris said. “We look forward to continuing this program throughout 2025.”