Page 12 - January 2016 • Southern California Gaming Guide

PAGE 12
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
JANUARY 2016
San Manuel and Morongo Tribes Donate $600,000 to Assist Victims, Families
Tof San Bernardino Attacks
he San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Morongo Band of Mission Indians have committed to contribute a combined $600,000 to aid victims and families impacted by the
st San Bernardino terrorist attack, Arrowhead United Way announced on December 21 .
With the contribution by the two Tribes, $1 million has been donated to the San Bernardino United Relief Fund created by the Arrowhead United Way to provide support for those a ected by the December 2nd tragedy at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino.
Together their commitment has allowed us to surpass our fundraising goal for the long term recovery and well- being of survivors, their families, and others a ected by this tragedy,” said Rowand. “Arrowhead United Way is organizing a committee of donors and community leaders including San Manuel and Morongo to help individuals and families ful ll lives of promise by o ering ongoing support to address nancial and educational needs.”
With the contributions from the two Tribes, the United Way has surpassed its initial goal of $700,000 to assist those impacted by the attack. San Manuel and Morongo join a diverse group of contributors who have already raised $400,000 for the recovery fund. ey include Muslims United for San Bernardino, Wells Fargo Foundation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Union Paci c Railroad, Arrowhead Credit Union, and the Arrowhead Family Medical Group. In addition, over $100,000 was raised through Arrowhead United Way’s crowd-funding text campaign.
TAgua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to Provide Road Improvement Funds
“ is region of Southern California is our home, our shared community. San Manuel and Morongo have joined together at this time to reach out to those impacted so our community might recover to a place of normalcy,” said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “As indigenous peoples of this region, our Tribes are connected to this land, and its peoples are called upon to make this commitment to support our community as we heal together.”
“We are committed to helping bring solace and healing to the innocent victims and families of this heinous attack,” said Tribal Chairman Robert Martin of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.“We grieve
for those who were lost and injured, and we will stand strong with the San Bernardino community as our region works together to rebuild the lives shattered by this act of terrorism.”
Fourteen people were killed and 22 more were injured in a mass shooting that has brought the community closer together. “Morongo’s contribution of $250,000 combined with $350,000 from San Manuel, will help tremendously during the long recovery period,” said Doug Rowand, President/CEO of the Arrowhead United Way of San Bernardino.
“We are extremely proud and honored to receive this pledge of support from San Manuel and Morongo.
he Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have provided $10.4 million in Tribal Transportation documentation, to accept the funding from the Tribe, announced on December 2nd that it will provide Project funding for eight projects throughout Palm on December 9, 2015.
up to $2.15 million in transportation funding for Springs, Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City over the “ e city of Cathedral City is grateful for the Tribe’s
major road improvement projects in Cathedral City. “It’s important that streets are accessible and well-maintained,” Tribal Chairman Je L. Grubbe said. “ e Tribe has been a leader in providing funding to help transform city streets. We have long supported road improvements that enhance major transportation routes that intersect with the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. In fact, we
past six years.”
e Tribal Transportation Program funding will
help pay for the Ramon Road Bridge Widening ($1.15 million) and Vista Chino Roadway Resurfacing ($1 million) projects.
e Cathedral City Council will consider approving the Tribal Transportation Program Funding Memorandum of Understanding, the o cial
o er to support the main transportation artery improvements that bene t lives of all of our residents,” Mayor Stan Henry said. ”Working together in partnership on these two major projects would allow us an opportunity to better expedite the necessary repairs and enhance our existing transportation infrastructure. I look forward to considering the Memorandum of Understanding at the next city council meeting.”
CIabazon Band of Mission Indians Donates $20,000 to F.I.N.D. Food Bank
n a check presentation on December 15th, the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, who operate Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, donated $20,000 to F.I.N.D. Food Bank to help purchase a new refrigerated truck that will provide more perishable food items to families struggling with hunger.
e Cabazon Band of Mission Indians was represented by Tribal Chairman Douglas Welmas, who presented the donation to Lisa Houston, President and CEO of F.I.N.D. Food Bank.
e nonpro t F.I.N.D. Food Bank, founded in 1983, is the regional food bank serving eastern Riverside County, from Whitewater to Blythe, and from the high desert to the Salton Sea. F.I.N.D. (Food In Need of Distribution) is dedicated to relieving hunger, the causes of hunger, and problems associated with hunger by building awareness and mobilizing resources and community to take action to end hunger.
“Support from the community is critical to our mission” said Houston,“ at the Tribe is stepping forward with such a generous gift demonstrates their commitment to helping distribute much needed food assistance to hungry neighbors across the Coachella Valley.”
Also on hand to tell his story was Joel Gonzalez, who is on F.I.N.D.’s outreach team. He connects food-insecure individuals and families to resources that can help their households to become more self-su cient. Joel knows what it means to be without, to make tough choices, and how quickly circumstances can change.
L to R: Brenda Soulliere, Member at Large, Cabazon Band of Mission Indians; San Juanita Callaway, Vice Chairwoman, Cabazon Band of Mission Indians; Doug Welmas, Chairman, Cabazon Band of Mission Indians; Lisa Houston, President and CEO of F.I.N.D. Food Bank; and Joel Gonzalez, F.I.N.D. Food Bank Team Member.
Photo: Cabazon Band of Mission Indians.
January 2016 Tribes in the News (Continued)