Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, East Peoria Illinois, has made a major contribution to education in Peoria, Illinois with a $25,000 donation to both the Peoria Charter School Initiative (PCSI) and Peoria Promise.  The contribution the Peoria Charter School helps PCSI get closer to reaching its goal of matching the full $500,000 from the Caterpillar Foundation challenge grant.

Glen Barton, PCSI Board President, said “With this very generous pledge the Peoria Charter School Initiative has raised, in contributions and pledges, $444,160 towards that goal, leaving us less than $56,000 left to raise.”  The funds received will offset many of the first year expenses of operating Quest Charter Academy, according to Barton.  “We will have 225 children starting school on August 24th and we couldn’t be more excited. Teachers are being hired, the building is being prepped, furniture, books and other supplies are on order.”

Loren Gill, VP and General Manager of Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, said the company strives to provide a better quality of life for area citizens through charitable giving programs just like this.   "At Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, and Boyd Gaming Corporation, we are proud to support people and organizations who share our commitment to improving the quality of life in our community.  That is why we are so proud to present these gifts to both Peoria Charter School and Peoria Promise.  They have done outstanding work in enhancing education and providing opportunities for our young people, and we are happy to honor them.”

Peoria Promise Executive Director Tara Gerstner said, “The generous donation from Par-A-Dice will directly fund a 2-year education at ICC for more than 11 Peoria area students.”  The foundation’s mission is to support economic development in the city of Peoria through the enhancement of workforce skills and academic opportunities for the city of Peoria graduates.  Since Peoria Promise was first started in 2008, the organization has sent over 600 students to college.  Over 450 students are expected to receive financial support from Peoria Promise during 2010/2011 school year alone. 

Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino Director of Community Services, M J Schettler, said this was a very unique opportunity for them.  “We put a lot of thought into determining who to provide with charitable assistance, and we are very confident that Peoria Charter School and Peoria Promise will have a major impact in the growth of education in the Peoria area.”