Colonial Downs to Donate 20,000 Meals to Front-Line Pandemic Workers

Colonial Downs Group, which includes the Virginia racetrack that reopened last summer and Rosie's Gaming Emporiums at three other in-state locations, announced Wednesday that it will transition its closed restaurants to provide 20,000 free “grab and go” meals for police officers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, grocery store employees and other workers on the “front lines” of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The company closed its facilities on Mar. 15. The meals will be provided starting Apr, 1, with day-before ordering requested. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to sign up. Details are available here.

The company also announced Wednesday that its employees will be paid in full for the month of April, and that any time spent away from work as a result of COVID-19 will not impact workers' status.

“With our facilities closed we have the capacity to help them, in our own small way, by using our kitchens to provide free meals to Virginia's community heroes,” said Aaron Gomes, the chief operating officer for Colonial Downs Group.

Colonial's 18-date race meet is scheduled for July 23-Aug. 29.