Riviera Event Raises Nearly $8,000 for Community Outreach

By Tony Farina

The Batavia Downs-sponsored holiday movie event on Dec. 13 at the Riviera Theater in North Tonawanda was a big success and along with 21 local restaurants who donated 10 percent of their proceeds that night, cash totaling more than $7,500 was presented to Twin Cities Community Outreach on Thursday to help with their Christmas season work.

“It was just a great program at the historic Riviera and we were so glad to be able to give the money to Community Outreach in time for Christmas,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel and Western Regional Off-Track Betting (WROTB).

Wojtaszek joined other local notable officials on Thursday to present the cash to Bobbie Seekins and Linda Finikin of Community Outreach at the Riviera Theater who welcomed the good deed cash with open arms, calling it an opportunity to help so many people during the holiday season.

Among those on hand were Niagara County Legislators Randy Bradt, Rich Andres, Jesse Gooch and North Tonawanda Councilmen Joe Marranca and Joe Lavey.

Wojtaszek said the holiday giveaway was in keeping with WROTB’s help to Niagara County to support arts and cultural organizations with the Cultural Endowment Fund. WROTB has contributed more than $  240 million to its 15 member counties and two member cities since it was founded back in the early 1970s.

Twin Cities Community Outreach provides food pantries, school supplies, clothing, and toy giveaways.