Riverwind Casino celebrates 10 years of business

A sweltering summer day in Oklahoma isn't enough to keep Riverwind Casino staff, local business representatives and nonprofit volunteers away from a Norman golf course for an annual charity golf tournament. The purpose of the day is to give back to area schools and kids fighting for their lives.

It's par for the course for Riverwind and its employees.

After all, giving back to the community has been part of the Riverwind culture since the casino opened for business in August 2006. Now, Riverwind is celebrating a decade of business in the Oklahoma City-metro area, and 10 years of lending a helping hand to partners in the community.

One of those partners is Cavett Kids Foundation. The nonprofit's founder, Danny Cavett, has been working with Riverwind officials since 2014 to hold the casino's annual benefit golf tournament. Cavett Kids Foundation provides camps and events for children battling life-threatening and chronic illnesses. All the programs are free to children and their families.

Cavett said it takes community partners like Riverwind to keep the programs free. The annual golf tournament has raised more than $111,000 for Cavett Kids.

"The money raised helps in more ways than one, but mostly the funds go to cover camp related expenses," Cavett said. "Without donated funds most of the children would not have money to attend camp. The camps allow them to be around other children experiencing similar medical conditions. This increases their self-esteem and ability to cope with their illness."