Page 33 - November 2007 • Southern California Gaming Guide

November 2007 Tribes in the News (Continued)
Rincon Tribal Government Donates $80,000 to Community-Based PIrograms
n late September the Rincon Tribal Council donated $80,000 to community-based programs, including $40,000 to Valley Center High School. Other recipients include Blue Star Mothers, the Valley
Center History Museum, San Diego Teen Challenge and the Southern California American Indian Center, Inc. e donations were distributed to representatives of the recipient organizations at a tribal council meeting on September 20, 2007.
“By donating to programs and non-pro ts that will have a positive impact on our communities, everyone bene ts,” said Vernon Wright, Rincon Tribal Chairman.
“Harrah’s Rincon Resort and Casino has been an extremely good corporate citizen and we are proud of the contributions and sponsorships the casino has undertaken, including being a founding sponsor of Angel’s Depot in Vista, which distributes food to low income seniors,” he added.
According to Wright, the tribal government has been making joint contributions with Harrah’s and independent contributions, but has not had a government policy, setting aside funding and establishing a Contributions Committee to accept, review and recommend contributions annually. Harrah’s donates over $300,000 a year in dollars and sponsorships and hundreds of hours in volunteer activities.
As the rst recipients of the Rincon Community 2007 contributions and sponsorship program, Valley Center High School received $40,000 for sports, and other programs that support youth recreation and encourage interest in healthy activities. e North County Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers, received $10,000 to support military families, and the Valley Center History Museum, $10,000. Also funded were San
Steve Harris and Bill Hutchings of the Valley Center History Museum receive a $10,000 check from Rincon Tribal Council Vice Chairman Bo Mazzetti. Mazzetti is accompanied by Rincon Contributions Committee members: DeLisle Calac, Rose Luna, Frank Barron and Brenda Guachena.
Diego Teen Challenge ($10,000) and the Southern California American Indian Center, Inc. at $10,000.
For more information on the Rincon Community Contributions program and application guidelines email or write Dick Watenbaugh, tribal administrator, at dwatenpaugh@rincontribe.org or P.O. Box 68, Valley Center, CA 92082.
e Rincon San Luiseño Band of Mission Indians owns Harrah’s Rincon Resort & Casino San Diego North.
November 2007 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE Page 33
Tribes in the News (Continued)