LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL PHILADELPHIA CELEBRATES MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH WITH ‘HELL OR HIGH SEAS’ SCREENING, LIVE Q&A, AND OVER $52,000 IN DONATIONS TO VETERAN-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS
‘Hell or High Seas’ Screening and Conversation with Navy Veteran and Veterans’ Mental Health Nonprofit Founder, Taylor Grieger, Draws Community to the Live! Event Center;
Live! Philadelphia Presents Checks Totaling Over $52,000 to Veterans Multi-Service Center, USO of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Skeleton Crew Adventures
Photos Available Here, Courtesy of “Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia”
PHILADELPHIA (May 26, 2026) — Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia marked Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day Weekend by hosting a free public screening of Hell or High Seas, an Amazon Prime documentary chronicling U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Grieger's attempt to sail around Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America and widely considered the most treacherous stretch of ocean on the planet, to raise awareness about veteran suicide and his own battle with post-traumatic stress (PTS). The screening was followed by a live Q&A with Grieger, moderated by WMGK morning show host Paul Kelly.
As part of the night’s programming, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia presented checks totaling over $52,000 to three veteran-serving organizations, each doing critical work for the local and national veteran community.
· Veterans Multi-Service Center, one of the Philadelphia region's most trusted veteran service organizations, received $12,285, raised through a poker tournament held in the Live! Poker Room. For more than four decades, the VMC has provided veterans with housing and employment support, mental health services, legal assistance, and more.
· The USO of Pennsylvania and New Jersey received $25,000 to support the new USO lounge at Philadelphia International Airport, a dedicated space for service members passing through the city's main hub.
· Skeleton Crew Adventures, the nonprofit at the center of the film, received $15,000. Founded by Grieger in 2016, the organization uses offshore sailing and adventure therapy to help veterans and first responders living with post-traumatic stress. In 2025 alone, Skeleton Crew Adventures logged 214 sail experiences and 1,620.5 nautical miles, serving 86 individuals through its programs. Since its founding, the organization has provided in-person programs to more than 3,000 active military members and veterans.
“Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia has always believed that being a good neighbor means showing up when it counts,” said Jake Joyce, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. “Amplifying Taylor's mission, presenting these donations to three
incredible veteran-serving organizations, and welcoming this community into our space tonight is what this company stands for, and we're honored to do it.”
Grieger, a former aviation rescue swimmer and door-gunner who served six years in the U.S. Navy and completed four deployments, founded Skeleton Crew Adventures after leaving the military in 2016 and confronting his own PTS. He set off from Texas aboard the Ole Lady, a 36-foot vessel, alongside writer Stephen O'Shea and fellow veterans, sailing into some of the world's most punishing waters to prove that purpose and adventure could be a path to healing. The voyage was not clean or triumphant. The crew faced a hurricane off the coast of Texas, nearly sank after striking a reef near Central America, endured pirate threats, repeated mechanical failures, and violent storms. Eventually, Grieger sent his crew home and continued south alone in a barely seaworthy boat. He made it around Cape Horn. What awaited him on the other side was a mission.
That mission continues through Skeleton Crew Adventures and through Cape Horn Tequila, the craft spirits brand Grieger co-founded to fund the nonprofit's work. Made from 100% Blue Weber Agave with zero additives, Cape Horn Tequila turns every bottle sold into support for veterans living with post-traumatic stress. The tequila's portfolio of Blanco, Reposado and Añejo was served to attendees following the Q&A with Grieger.
"I didn't make this film or build Skeleton Crew Adventures because I had it figured out. I did it because I didn't, and I knew I wasn't alone in that,” said Grieger. “Every time this film screens somewhere new and a veteran in the audience feels seen, that's the whole point. That's the mission. I’m so appreciative of the continued support of Live! Philadelphia. The community showed up tonight and I won't forget it."
Hell or High Seas was produced by FreshFly, a Philadelphia-based production company, and directed by Glenn Holsten. The film is available on Amazon Prime Video, Vet TV, and Outside TV. It has screened at universities, military bases, and film festivals across the country, including a private screening at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and its parent company, The Cordish Companies, support veterans, active military members, and first responders continuously throughout the year. The Live! Rewards Veterans Card provides eligible members, including veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, Armed Forces Reserves, and military spouses, a complimentary Gold Card upgrade with benefits that include a 10% discount at Live! Casino restaurants, 25% faster comp earnings, and access to private card-level promotions and events. Every Wednesday, the property's Hero Appreciation Day recognizes first responders and community service members with 500 Tier Credits redeemable for $15 in free slot play and a 15% dining discount at The Prime Rib. The Cordish Companies also have a longstanding partnership with the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, committing to raise $1 million for the museum and education center dedicated to preserving the stories and legacies of America's Medal of Honor recipients.
For more information, visit LiveCH.com/Philadelphia or follow on social media: @livecasinophl.
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About Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Voted Best Overall Gaming Resort and Best Overall in Dining and Entertainment in PA by Casino Player Magazine, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia is a one-stop destination in South Philly’s Stadium District to enjoy the fast-paced action of four major professional sports teams, memorable entertainment, premier dining, upscale accommodations, and world-class gaming. Conveniently located off I-95 and I-76, the facility features more than 200 luxury hotel rooms,
a FanDuel® Sportsbook and Lounge, approximately 2,000 slots and more than 130 table games, including a dedicated poker room. Award-winning dining and entertainment options include The Prime Rib®, named Best South Philly Steak Dinner by Philadelphia Magazine; Luk Fu, serving authentic Asian cuisine; Sports & Social Philly, a one-of-a-kind sports restaurant, gaming venue and social lounge; the 10th Street Market, a unique food hall featuring a taste of classic Philly favorites like Geno’s Steaks, Lorenzo and Sons Pizza, and Termini Bros. Bakery; plus Luckie’s Liquor. A spirited nightlife scene at The Library, Center Bar and R Bar rounds out the Live! experience. The Live! Event Center offers more than 15,500 square feet of customizable meeting and event space with ample, secure parking. Guests can also PlayLive.com, a real money wagering online casino in the Commonwealth of PA. Live! Casino & Hotel is owned and managed by Stadium Casino RE, LLC, an affiliate of The Cordish Companies, the premier developer of Live! dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. For reservations, call 1-833-472-5483 or visit LiveCH.com/Philadelphia. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram @livecasinophl
About Skeleton Crew Adventures
Skeleton Crew Adventures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing transformative healing experiences for veterans and first responders living with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). Through research-driven adventure therapy rooted in sailing expeditions, peer support networks, and community-based healing retreats, Skeleton Crew Adventures reconnects participants with nature, purpose, and each other—all at no cost to those who've served. Learn more at SkeletonCrewAdventures.org.
About Cape Horn Tequila
Founded by U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Grieger, Cape Horn Tequila exists to raise awareness for the mental health struggles faced by veterans and first responders—and to fund healing through adventure. Distilled with 100% Blue Weber Agave and no additives, the brand's award-winning portfolio includes Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo expressions. Proceeds support Skeleton Crew Adventures. Learn more at CapeHornTequila.com.
About Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Voted Best Overall Gaming Resort and Best Overall in Dining and Entertainment in PA by Casino Player Magazine, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia is a one-stop destination in South Philly’s Stadium District to enjoy the fast-paced action of four major professional sports teams, memorable entertainment, premier dining, upscale accommodations, and world-class gaming. Conveniently located off I-95 and I-76, the facility features more than 200 luxury hotel rooms, a FanDuel® Sportsbook and Lounge, approximately 2,000 slots and more than 130 table games, including a dedicated poker room. Award-winning dining and entertainment options include The Prime Rib®, named Best South Philly Steak Dinner by Philadelphia Magazine; Luk Fu, serving authentic Asian cuisine; Sports & Social Philly, a one-of-a-kind sports restaurant, gaming venue and social lounge; the 10th Street Market, a unique food hall featuring a taste of classic Philly favorites like Geno’s Steaks, Lorenzo and Sons Pizza, and Termini Bros. Bakery; plus Luckie’s Liquor. A spirited nightlife scene at Center Bar and R Bar rounds out the Live! experience. The Live! Event Center offers more than 15,500 square feet of customizable meeting and event space with ample, secure parking. Guests can also PlayLive.com, a real money wagering online casino in the Commonwealth of PA. Live! Casino & Hotel is owned and managed by Stadium Casino RE, LLC, an affiliate of The Cordish Companies, the premier developer of Live! dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. For reservations, call 1-833-472-5483 or visit LiveCH.com/Philadelphia. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram @livecasinophl
About The Cordish Companies
The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Gaming; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; International Development; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies’ Live! Brand, highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed among the most successful casino hotel resorts in the world including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. Welcoming over 55 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships, and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com or follow us on Twitter.
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