American Place Casino launches holiday tree contest for local nonprofits
American Place Casino is bringing back its Season of Hope holiday tree competition on Nov. 15 in Waukegan, with six local nonprofits vying for a $7,500 prize. Guests can vote daily through AP Rewards, and the winner will be announced Dec. 4.
Why it matters: - The competition turns holiday traffic at American Place Casino into a fundraising-style showcase for six local nonprofits. - The winning organization will receive a $7,500 grand prize, giving the event a direct community impact beyond the seasonal display. - Guest voting determines the outcome, which can help draw more visitors to the property over the two-week run.
What happened: - American Place Casino is launching the 3rd Annual Season of Hope on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. - Six nonprofit organizations will decorate holiday trees and compete for the top prize. - The participating groups are Bernie’s Book Bank, Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, Jeeps on the Run, The African American Museum at England Manor, Waukegan Friends and COOL Ministries Food Pantry. - The casino floor will feature the decorated trees as part of the competition.
The details: - AP Rewards members get one vote per day during the competition. - Members can earn one additional daily vote by earning five same-day base points. - Guests can sign up for a free AP Rewards card at the Player’s Club. - Visitors are invited to tour the displays and cast votes throughout the two-week event. - The winner will be announced at a ceremony at American Place Casino on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. - More information is available here or at the Player’s Club.
Between the lines: - The event mixes holiday entertainment with community engagement, giving local nonprofits a high-visibility platform inside a regional casino. - The voting structure rewards repeat visits, which may help extend guest traffic during the competition window. - Stacy Petterway, director of compliance and curator of the Season of Hope program, said the event has become a favorite tradition and highlights the work local nonprofits do year-round.
What's next: - Guests can begin viewing the trees and voting when the competition opens on Nov. 15. - American Place Casino will reveal the winning nonprofit at the Dec. 4 ceremony. - The casino is expected to continue promoting the event through its rewards program and on-property visits.
The bottom line: - Season of Hope is both a holiday attraction and a public vote that sends real money to one local nonprofit.
Disclaimer: This article was produced by AGP Wire with the assistance of artificial intelligence based on original source content and has been refined to improve clarity, structure, and readability. This content is provided on an “as is” basis. While care has been taken in its preparation, it may contain inaccuracies or omissions, and readers should consult the original source and independently verify key information where appropriate. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice.
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