Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite, Nevada, recently announced the sponsorship of an elementary school reading program.
Mesquite Reads, in its 11th year, was launched and paid for by the Eureka Community Initiative and is on track to serve 100 children in grades kindergarten through fourth at J.L. Bowler Elementary School in Bunkerville.
“At Eureka, our commitment goes beyond hospitality, it extends directly into the classroom,” Eureka Casino Resort CEO Andre Carrier said in a statement. “Mesquite Reads embodies the very heart of the Eureka Way — creative collaboration, compassionate service, and a relentless belief in the potential of our community’s children.”
The Mesquite Reads program supports area children making sure they are reading at grade level by the third grade. Since 2014, more than 1,500 students have participated in the program. Donations of $291,488 from the ECI support the mission, along with the distribution of more than 4,000 free books through community giveaway events.
This summer’s four-week session, running from May 27 to June 18, is designed around small-group instruction with class sizes of 10 to 15 students. Each day begins with a breakfast and outdoor activities, followed by focused literacy sessions.
Young students work on sight words, fluency, and reading comprehension, while older students explore storytelling and writing. The curriculum shifts to individualized math instruction and ends with special activities such as loom-knitting hats for NICU babies.
A part of the program is Super Summer School Spaghetti Thursdays, where Eureka employee-owners and community partners volunteer to serve lunches of spaghetti and meatballs. Gerri Chasko, Director of Eureka Community Initiative, said more than 800 lunches have been served through the program.
“We test the students at the beginning and again at the end. This way, we can show donors and the community that their support results in real academic growth,” said Chasko, who has led ECI for 19 years. “The goal isn’t just better grades — it’s a better future.”
The Eureka Community Initiative, formed in 2012, is rooted in the company’s investment in its hometown. Founded in 1997 and 100% employee-owned since 2015, Eureka Casino Resort has supported more than 50 community programs across education, outreach, economic development, and citizenship.
“Our employee-owners are personally invested in this town,” said Carrier. “Their kids go to these schools. That’s why programs like Mesquite Reads matter so much to us. It’s not just philanthropy — it’s personal for every one of us.”
