2019 Heart of Canal Street Campaign Sets Fundraising Record

There are a record-setting number of reasons to be thankful this holiday season. Today Potawatomi Hotel & Casino announced the 2019 Heart of Canal Street campaign raised $1.195 million; the most in the fundraising program’s 26-year history.

With this year’s inspiring total, Heart of Canal Street has raised more than $20 million for hundreds of children’s charities in southeastern Wisconsin since its inception in 1994. The previous record was set in 2016 with $1.174 million raised.

The 2019 funds will go to 31 organizations which benefit children in our area in a variety of ways. The charities have already been selected by Potawatomi, this year’s Heart of Canal Street media partners, and through a random drawing.

Sojourner Family Peace Center was selected by Potawatomi this year as the “Charity of Choice,” meaning Sojourner will receive the first $100,000 of funds raised. Sojourner will use that money to benefit its Camp HOPE program, a week-long summer camp for kids impacted by domestic violence.

Ten additional charities were selected by this year’s Heart of Canal Street media partners:

• ACTS Housing—presented by BizTimes
• ALS Association of Wisconsin— presented by Lamar Outdoor
• Arts at Large— presented by 88nine Radio Milwaukee
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro MKE— presented by WITI Fox 6
• Girls On the Run— presented by Fox Sports Wisconsin
• Kids Matter, Inc.—presented by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• Sharp Literacy— presented by Clear Channel Outdoor
• Special Olympics— presented by WTMJ TV
• Special Spaces— presented by Good Karma Brands
• Zachariah’s Acres— presented by CBS 58

In addition to those organizations, 20 charities will receive funding through the annual Heart of Canal Street random drawing, which this year received more than 150 applicants:

• 16^th Street Community Health Center
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Wisconsin
• COA Youth and Family Centers
• Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center
• Healing Hearts of Waukesha County
• Hope Center
• Islands of Brilliance
• Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful
• Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
• Milwaukee Tennis and Education Foundation
• Mount Mary University
• OMNI Enrichment
• Saint Francis Children’s Center
• Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills (S.M.I.L.E.S)
• Sunset Play House
• Team UP! With Families
• The Food Pantry Serving Waukesha County
• Wisconsin Community Services
• Vision Forward Association
• YMCA of Greater Waukesha County

Heart of Canal Street is Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s signature community program. It began as a way to carry on the Potawatomi tradition of nurturing younger generations so they grow to lead healthy, productive lives. The majority of funds are raised through our bingo department. During each bingo session between August and December, players can choose to participate in the Canal Street Bingo game. Half of each $3 and $7 game purchased goes into the fundraising pool. For more information, please visit www.paysbig.com/heart.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.