AMCR DONATES $5,962 TO IRONWORKERS LOCAL 440 BENEFIT FUND

(AKWESASNE, NY, March 31, 2015) – The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort presented a check for $5,962.40 to Ironworkers Local 440 on Friday, March 27th, 2015. The funds were raised as part of the 2014 Ironworkers Festival, an annual competition held at AMCR that celebrates and showcases Ironworker talent. Each year, the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort donates 100% of the proceeds from the event's competitor registration fees, t-shirt sales, and chicken wing contest.

Emily Lauzon, AMCR Assistant General Manager, presented the check to Local 440 Representatives along with Patrick Bassney, AMCR General Manager and Craig Fuller, Director of Marketing. Representing the Local 440 Benefit Fund was Tom "Gulla" Thomas, Business Manager, Bill Sears, and Mike Swamp, former Business Manager. The Local 440 Benefit Fund is a program that provides support for active and retired Local 440 ironworkers who get hurt on the job or become ill. Mike Swamp added that the program has been in place for 10 years and has dispersed over $25,000 in aid. "We look forward to working together with Local 440 for 2015 and raising monies to assist the ironworkers who are in need of financial support due to injuries or illness," stated Emily Lauzon.

Each year, the Ironworkers Festival attracts competitors from Ironworker Locals throughout the Northeast who compete in 7 skills competitions and vie for the top prize of being crowned "Ultimate Ironworker." In 2014, Christopher Prophet of Local 401 took home the top prize, which is awarded based on points tallied from all 7 competitions. Dan Hoban of Local 401 set a new record for the Column Climb event in which he scaled a 30-foot steel column in 4.97 seconds.

The 13th Annual Ironworkers Festival is being held on Saturday, July 25th, 2015 at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort. Benjamin Herne, AMCR Promotions/Special Events Manager, said "each year the Festival grows in size and it's great to see the community come together to honor and celebrate the talent and courage of Ironworkers." The festival-style event also includes live music, a beer tent, local vendors, a watermelon eating contest, and the infamous chicken wing cook-off. More details will be announced on AMCR's website in the upcoming months.

For further information about AMCR, please contact Nicole Terrance at (518) 358-2222 ext. 2138. For information on the 2015 Ironworkers Festival, please contact Benjamin Herne at (518) 358-2222 ext. 2134.