Atlantic Club Adopts MMSC

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The smallest casino that could, Atlantic Club Casino Hotel, is helping the little center that would, Brigantine’s Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

By Ray Schweibert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted May. 23, 2012

ATLANTIC CITY — When the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel announced its new name and strategy in February, it indicated that community involvement would play a large part in the property’s future initiatives.

On Tuesday, May 22, it was announced that the “smallest casino that could” is helping the “little center that would,” as the Atlantic Club has “adopted” the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, which has been responding to and assisting distressed marine mammals and sea turtles not just in New Jersey, but throughout much of the Eastern seaboard, for nearly 35 years. The Atlantic Club has committed to help generate awareness and funds to support the MMSC’s mission and efforts.  

“We are the only stranding center to serve New Jersey, and with the prospect of budget cuts looming this fall, our ability to maintain and operate the center effectively is alarming,” says Bob Schoelkopf, director and founder of the non-profit MMSC since 1978. “When The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel reached out to us to offer support, it could not have come at a better time.”  

The Atlantic Club has several immediate plans to support the center. First is the donation of a 73-inch flat-screen television, which will be used as a much-needed video monitor for staff observation of rehabilitating mammals in the center’s tanks.

This Memorial Day weekend, and throughout the summer, the Atlantic Club will donate $1 from every “Shake and Take” drink sold at the Dizzy Dolphin and Beach Bar to the MMSC.   In an effort to increase awareness, the Atlantic Club will also host several MMSC educational events during the summer. Future plans include an MMSC documentary video on the casino-hotel’s Web site with a “Donate Now” button to support the work of the organization.  

“Small organizations can do big things, and by working together, even bigger things happen” says Michael Frawley, chief operating officers of the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel.  

For more information, click here to visit the MMSC’s Web site.