Tribes Donate $500,000 for Tsunami Relief Efforts
Julie Huff, UAIC Tribal Vice Chair, presents check to Ken Cross, Executive Director of the local Habitat for Humanity, International.
Tribes recognize save the children and habitat for humanity, international’s relief efforts in southern asia – Tribes present each organization with $500,000 at luncheon
SACRAMENTO – 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 recognized
Save the Children and Habitat for Humanity, International’s relief
efforts in southern Asia today, presenting each organization with a
check for $500,000 during a luncheon at the Sutter Club.
“Our Tribes and employees were shocked and saddened by the tragic loss
of life and the destruction around the Indian Ocean caused by the
Tsunami,” said Paula Lorenzo, tribal chairwoman of the Rumsey Band of
Wintun Indians and Jessica Tavares, tribal chairperson of the United
Auburn Indian Community. “We are committed to helping the affected
countries in the difficult weeks and months that lie ahead and hope
that in a small way our financial contribution will allow professional
relief organizations to bring immediate and lasting, positive change to
those affected by this epic disaster.”
“Helping others in need is deeply rooted in Native American culture and
during this period of immeasurable human suffering we felt compelled to
give aid to those most desperately in need - the thousands of surviving
children and their families,” Lorenzo said. “Save the Children has not
only operated in the three most devastated countries of Indonesia, Sri
Lanka and India for decades but also has the capacity to provide short-
and long-term humanitarian assistance. We hope that with our
contribution, Save the Children will be able to supply food, water,
medical kits, emotional support, shelter and other necessities to meet
the immediate needs of survivors.”
“Millions of displaced residents throughout Sri Lanka and the
surrounding nations have lost family members, their homes and
livelihoods,” said Tavares. “While many professional relief groups have
mobilized in response to the Tsunami disaster, we chose to give a
portion of our gift to Habitat for Humanity, International because of
the organization’s extraordinary commitment to the rebuilding of the
affected communities and families. 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.”
All monetary donations to Save the Children and 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.
