Rebuilding Together And Caesars Foundation Deliver Safe, Healthy Homes And Big Savings Just In Time For The Holidays

Projects in Hammond, Ind., Las Vegas, Nev. and New Orleans, La. signal year-long commitment to improve and educate communities on environmentally friendly living

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The holidays came a little early this year for five Veterans as hundreds of volunteers helped to rebuild the homes in Hammond, Ind., Las Vegas and New Orleans. These November rebuild projects marked the beginning of a yearlong collaboration between Rebuilding Together, a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home, Caesars Foundation and Caesars Entertainment Corporation HERO employee volunteers to make individuals' homes safe and energy efficient.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO)

"The cold winter months can be harsh for homeowners both physically and financially," said Gwen Migita, vice president of sustainability and community affairs at Caesars Entertainment. "By providing much needed repairs and sustainable upgrades during these rebuilds, these older individuals will stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer without breaking the bank."

Each renovation made the homes healthier and are projected to save these older community members much needed financial resources in the long term.  The rebuild project is projected to save the Hammond homeowner up to 40 percent; the three Las Vegas homeowners between 20 and 80 percent and the New Orleans homeowner approximately 50 percent in energy savings annually for 2013.

"It is so nice to be back in the house that I have called home almost all of my life," said homeowner and resident of Hammond, Helen Larson. "All of the remodeling makes it easier to get around." 

"After sustaining four and a half feet of water inside my home, it is unbelievable to see this project come together and that I can save money," said homeowner and New Orleans resident, Harold Lyons. "I can move back into my home of sixty-eight years! I am so grateful to Caesars Foundation and all of the great Harrah's New Orleans and Rebuilding Together volunteers that made it happen."

As part of the company's commitment, skilled craftsmen from Caesars Entertainment's properties across the U.S. will host regional eco-friendly home training sessions designed to directly benefit low-income families, the elderly, veterans, and persons with disabilities. By providing residents, Rebuilding Together affiliates and supporters with both the knowledge and tools to adopt environmentally friendly practices at home, the company is helping to improve the health and wellness of communities in which they operate all year.

Migita added, "With each educational session, we hope to spread a positive message that incremental changes at home not only save money in the long term, but they can help to safeguard the environment for future generations."

In tandem with the November rebuild projects, Harrah's New Orleans enlisted the support of residents and guests in a cause campaign to gathering more than $50,000 in donations for Rebuilding Together. The company made a donation each time guests swiped their Total Rewards cards, purchased Pepsi products, or special edition t-shirts designed by world-renowned New Orleans artist, Terrance Osborne. Guests contributed more than $17,000 in direct donations and converted Total Rewards points to create safer, healthier and more energy-efficient homes in communities across the country.

"It is inspiring to see Caesars Entertainment, its employees and its guests rally to assist others obtain needed resources to live healthier, and at the same time provide the knowledge to make positive life-changing decisions," said Gary A. Officer, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "The impacts seen in November alone are just a small part of what we will do throughout the year thanks to their efforts."

The rebuild projects were sponsored by a combined $128,000 in gifts from Caesars Foundation, a private charitable foundation funded by a percentage of operating income from the company's resorts. All of the homes Caesars works on will include energy efficient upgrades to help homeowners reduce energy costs and curb their carbon footprint.

Caesars Entertainment is a leader in sustainability in the gaming entertainment industry with its award-winning CodeGreen strategy. CodeGreen focuses on critical issues of water, waste, energy and carbon through property retrofits and by engaging its employees in innovative programs that inspire resource conservation and long-term behavior change among its employees. For more information about the company's sustainability efforts, visit www.caesars.com/codegreen.

ABOUT REBUILDING TOGETHER

Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 200 local affiliates complete 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of nearly 200,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us — visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

ABOUT CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION

Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the world's most geographically diversified casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, more than 75 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions, and now operates casinos on four continents. The company's resorts operate primarily under the Harrah's®, Caesars® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker® and the London Clubs International family of casinos. Caesars Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. Caesars is committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment.  For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.

ABOUT CAESARS FOUNDATION

Caesars Foundation is a private foundation funded by a percentage of operating income from Caesars Entertainment's resorts. The Foundation is the entity through which Caesars Entertainment funds programs and projects of $10,000 or more, as well as not-for-profit giving requirements imposed by certain operating jurisdictions. The Foundation's objective is to strengthen organizations and programs in the communities where our employees and their families live and work. For more information, please visit www.caesarsfoundation.com.  

SOURCE Rebuilding Together