Hard Rock Hotel & Casino updates: Turkeys donated, opening date change, and more

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in South Lake Tahoe may not be opened yet, but they've been busy becoming a part of the community.

On Monday, November 24, their Executive Chef Jonathan Snyder delivered 48 turkeys to Sierra Community Church, who will serve them in their community kitchen and distribute the rest to local families in need for Thanksgiving.

“We are so thankful for this very generous donation and welcome the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe to the neighborhood,” said Rex McQuillen, outreach pastor at Sierra Community Church. “This donation will have a tremendous impact. Some of these birds will end up on the tables of families waiting for the property to open. What a wonderful way to introduce them to the locals.”

“Being a part of the fabric of this community is important to all of us at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe,” said Don Marrandino, chief operations officer. “We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.”

In other Hard Rock news, the property has been undergoing a $60 million remodel of the old Horizon casino and has now set Wednesday, January 28, 2015 as their VIP grand opening date.

“It’s all hands on deck to ensure we have as much of the resort casino rock ‘n’ roll ready for our guests on January 28th as possible,” Marrandino said.

The resort also recently announced they will have a limited edition pin available to the public once they open in January. The League to Save Lake Tahoe pin, which is designed with Lake Tahoe as the body of a guitar, will sell for $14.95 plus tax with 50 percent of net proceeds benefiting Keep Tahoe Blue and the organization’s mission to protect and restore the environmental health, sustainability and scenic beauty of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

“Tahoe is our new home. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe is fortunate to have the most beautiful and picturesque backdrop for our new resort casino that provides visitors a world-class travel experience. The limited edition pin is just one way we can give back to preserving this natural treasure for generations to come,” said Marrandino.

“The League to Save Lake Tahoe is very happy to be partnering with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe for the creation of the limited edition Lake Tahoe pin,” said Darcie Goodman Collins, PhD, executive director for the League to Save Lake Tahoe. “Proceeds from this pin will go towards funding our expanding programs. We hope the pins also bring awareness to visitors that Lake Tahoe is a unique and fragile place and needs all of our help to keep it blue.”