Tribes Present Organization With $1 Million

Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians and United Auburn Indian Community Recognize Habitat For Humanity International’s Hurricane Relief Efforts on the Today Show

Press Release By Doug Elmets

SACRAMENTO – The Tribal Chairs of the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, owners of Cache Creek Casino Resort in Yolo County and the United Auburn Indian Community, owners of Thunder Valley Casino in Placer County presented a joint check for $1 million to Habitat for Humanity, International on The Today Show, Tuesday, September 27 in New York City.

The Today Show is joining forces with Habitat for Humanity and Warner Music Group to help the Gulf Coast rebuild. During the week of September 26, Rockefeller Plaza will become “Humanity Plaza” as homes are built around the clock for five days for families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

“This is the worst natural disaster ever to take place on our soil,” said Paula Lorenzo, Tribal Chairperson of the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians. “We are deeply saddened by the destruction and loss of life in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama and we want to do our part to help restore these great states.”

“Thousands of American citizens have lost everything,” said Jessica Taveras, Tribal Chairperson of the United Auburn Indian Community. “We’ve chosen to give to Habitat for Humanity, International because the organization is committed to the long term rebuilding of homes throughout the entire affected region. It is our deepest hope that our donation will help Habitat to develop long-term shelter solutions and provide hope to those most in need.”

Habitat for Humanity, International has announced an emergency appeal for funds to help Habitat families and other low-income families in the affected areas recover and rebuild. The organization will further assess the housing needs created by the Hurricane as the first step for planning the long-term recovery and the building of permanent recovery homes. Long-term assistance will involve Habitat affiliates and volunteers working together with those impacted by the storm in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida

All monetary donations to Habitat for Humanity, International are to be used for direct services provided to victims. No money is to be spent on the administrative costs of the organization’s themselves.

The Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians and the United Auburn Indian Community also joined together last winter to donate a combined $1 million to tsunami relief efforts in Southeast Asia. Both tribes have charitable donation programs that give up to $1 million annually to non-profit organiztions. The Rumsey Tribe has donated more than $7 million since its inception in 2000 and the United Auburn Indian Community has donated more than $2 million since it was established in 2004.