Page 33 - January 2008 • Southern California Gaming Guide

January 2008 Tribes in the News
TSycuan Employees Donate $176,000 to 32 Favorite Local Charities
o get a jump on the upcoming holiday season, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation hosted its Second Annual Gift Giving Ceremony at Sycuan Casino on ursday, November 29th. Allowing its employees to honor local charities of their choice, a total of
$176,000 in gifts were given to 32 local organizations at this year’s ceremony, nearly $50,000 more than at last year’s inaugural event. is year’s Second Annual Gift Giving Ceremony was part of Sycuan’s ongoing gift-giving program, making up less than ve percent of scholarships and charitable donations that Sycuan distributes throughout the year.
Held under the porte cochere at the casino main entrance, breakfast was served at 10 a.m., followed by a donation ceremony that paid tribute to some of the city’s nest individuals and organizations who have devoted their e orts to improving the quality of life in San Diego. Given nearly a month to decide who deserved a special donation in honor of their contributions to the community, the Tribal Council, general manager, and the directors of both Sycuan Casino and Sycuan Resort selected worthy charities and presented them donations at ceremony. Some of Sycuan’s gifts included a $25,000 check to The Monarch School, $35,000 to the American Red Cross to buy an emergency response van for the El Cajon area, an $11,000 contribution to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and an assortment of other donations to a wide array of local organizations.
“At Sycuan, we are very fortunate to have the ability to donate to special organizations in San Diego all
VIiejas Teams Up with L.T. to Spread Holiday Cheer
n November, 2007 the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians teamed up with LaDainian
Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers and Give Back to Impact Foundation to present the opportunity to shop for gifts, thanks to Wal-Mart.
th
6 Annual Giving Thanks with L.T. & Friends Holiday Program.
With the help of other community partners and volunteers, 2,100 anksgiving meals were packaged and distributed to needy families in the San Diego South Bay Community on November 20th, in time for
anksgiving. Each family received a 12- to 16-pound turkey, stu ng, canned food items, Coast Citrus Fresh Produce, Campbell’s Chunky Soup and Vitaminwater.
Soboba Casino Employees Donate Toys to
WRiverside County Charities
hat was Christmas without toys? Not exactly complete, said the folks at Soboba Casino. Nearly 1,000 brand new toys were donated by Soboba Casino employees, rounded up, and made their way to children throughout
neighboring communities in Riverside County. Stu ed animals, Barbie dolls, trucks and trains were just a few of the gifts bundled for Santa’s sack and sent to help supply the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program and other community outreach organizations. An additional 200 toys were also sledded to a party on December 22nd to bene t American Legion Foster Parents of Riverside County.
Pictured left: Soboba Casino General Manager Richard Kline and Marine Corporal (and Soboba Casino employee) Jonathan Morales
“We are thrilled about teaming up with L.T., another wonderful community partner, on this project,” said Viejas Chairman Bobby L. Barrett. “L.T. and Viejas both know giving back to the San Diego community is very important, and what better time to do that than around the holidays.”
e project took place at the Wal-Mart Chula Vista where sponsors, volunteers and teammates from the San Diego Chargers helped distribute meals.
year long, and we take great pride in doing so,” said Daniel J. Tucker, Sycuan Tribal Chairman. “ ere is no better time than the holiday season for the Tribe and our employees to share in the joy that comes with giving back to the community.”
e following is a complete list of the 32 agencies receiving contributions at this year’s ceremony: American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San
Front row: Daniel Tucker, Sycuan Tribal Chairman; Michael Hanson, Challenge Center; Jeanie Booth-Rex, Challenge Center, Debbie Hanson, Challenge Center; Deedra Tucker, Tribal Council Member; Cody Martinez, Tribal Treasurer; back row: Pilar Pettiford, Tribal Council Member; Candelita Billingsly, Tribal Secretary, Orlando Sandoval, Tribal Council Member, Anita Bye, Community Relations Manager and Ricci La Brake, Tribal Vice Chairman.
Diego County, Boys to Men Mentoring Network,
California Wolf Center, Challenge Center, Challenged
Athletes Foundation, Choice Harvest, City of El Cajon
Fletcher Hills Center, Elite Gymnastics Academy,
Filipino American Business Association, Imperial
County Humane Society Association, Jackie Robinson
YMCA, La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, Mabuhay
Alliance, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mama’s Kitchen,
Mental Health America of San Diego, Monarch
School, Oak Grove Middle School, Open Door Family Valhalla High School, e Vision of Children Worship Center, Polinsky Center, Providence Place, Foundation and Words Alive.
Ronald McDonald House, San Diego Police O cers Association, Saving Horses, Inc, Senior Community Centers, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, St. Kieran Catholic School, Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance,
In addition, 21 children in grades 3 to 5 were granted the
January 2008 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
Page 33
Southern California Tribes in the News