Sugarhouse funds four charities

f you’re sharing gambling revenues with local charities, why not include one that could earn you some neighborhood goodwill and political support? That’s what Sugarhouse is doing.

Philadelphia’s first casino will open for a two-day test run next month, with proceeds going to four local nonprofits. The owners of the SugarHouse Casino are lending help to a charity started by a powerful politician.

If you’re sharing gambling revenues with local charities, why not include one that could earn you some neighborhood goodwill and political support? That’s what Sugarhouse did in picking the Greater Philadelphia Traditions Fund, which is raising money for ten community festivals and ethnic parades no longer supported supported by the city. It was started by Congressman Bob Brady, who says he wants the city to give him the tab for the events.

“We’re trying to get the hard line costs – what the police will cost, what the sanitation would cost, and hopefully they can bare-bones it, and give us a figure for all ten of them and we’ll just pay it,” Brady said.

In all, Sugarhouse is funding four organizations, including the Abramson Cancer Center, a veterans service center, and a fund for survivors of police officers killed on duty.