MGM Mirage Bracelets Raise Money for Hurricane Victims

Thanks to MGM Mirage, holiday shoppers can now find a good stocking stuffer and contribute to a worthwhile cause at the same time.

To help its employees in Mississippi recover from this year's hurricanes, MGM Mirage announced today that the company is selling specially designed awareness bracelets saying "Rebuilding Together" at all its local retail outlets on the Las Vegas Strip. The bracelets cost $1.50 each.

"We are now selling bracelets at all MGM Mirage retail outlets to support our Katrina Recovery Fund," said Merlinda Gallegos, director of corporate philanthropy. "These bracelets are good stocking stuffers that help people do a good deed at the same time."

Gallegos said all proceeds go to the MGM Mirage Katrina Recovery Fund that benefits the roughly 3,400 employees of Beau Rivage, the MGM Mirage resort in Biloxi, Miss. that has been closed since being damaged by Hurricane Katrina in late August. The company contributed $1 million to establish the fund following the devastation caused by the hurricane and pledged also to match its employee contributions "dollar for dollar" through Dec. 31.

The "Rebuilding Together" bracelets are available at cashier stations in the company's Southern Nevada locations, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, The Mirage, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Circus Circus, New York-New York, Treasure Island, Monte Carlo, Excalibur, Railroad Pass, and at its properties in Laughlin, Jean and Primm.

Additionally, MGM Mirage has created a Flex/Vacation Day Donation Program to benefit the Katrina Recovery Fund. Employees can now donate their unused flex or vacation time. The donated time will be converted to cash to support the fund.

Another popular fundraiser was a company-wide online puppy auction in November that raised $13,900 by auctioning off Beau and Trina, cocker spaniel puppies recovered from Biloxi, Miss. by Jovita Thomas-Williams, vice president of labor relations for MGM Mirage.

Since establishing the Katrina Recovery Fund, Gallegos said millions of dollars have been raised to help employees impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

MGM Mirage Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J. Terrence Lanni said the company and its employees recognize "the enormous long-term need" to support the recovery and rebuilding effort.

"MGM Mirage intends to play a leading role in the rebuilding of Biloxi, just as we have been a significant part of Biloxi's success," Lanni said. "All of us at MGM Mirage send our thoughts and prayers to our colleagues on the Gulf Coast. The recovery process will be long and difficult, but we will see the Gulf Coast recover from this devastating event and return all the stronger."