Sacramento Business Journal
2:16 PM PDT
The United Auburn Indian Community, owners of Thunder Valley Casino
in Placer County, made charitable donations of $171,500 in the second
quarter.
Beneficiaries include Assistance League of Greater Placer, Sierra
Family Services Agency and Rocklin Elementary School.
The tribe donated $50,000 to the Assistance League of Greater
Placer, an all-volunteer agency involved with 19 philanthropic
activities ranging from providing dictionaries to school children to
creating crisis kits for rape victims. The contribution from the tribe
will underwrite Operation School Bell, which supplies a variety of
items to needy students, including clothing, shoes, jackets, personal
grooming kits, school supplies and other items.
Sierra Family Services, an organization that provides substance
abuse treatment and mental health counseling in Placer County, received
a $35,000 grant. It is dedicated to helping substance-dependent
individuals and families, the organization has expanded its programs to
include services for addicted women with young children, crisis
management and a comprehensive mental health program.
Rocklin Elementary School received an award of $20,000, which will
be used to expand the after-school programs, including peer counseling,
drama and science clubs and a science lab. The money will also be used
to fund a trip to take sixth grade students to Science Camp for a
week.
The community giving program also awarded $30,000 in challenge
grants.
The Community Giving Program -- a philanthropic branch of tribal
government established by the tribe in March 2004 -- has provided more
than $3.2 million to nonprofit organizations supporting needs in
education, health, arts and humanities, environment, community
development and social services.
"We are very firm about giving to organizations that will have a
significant impact on the health and well-being of our community," said
Jessica Tavares, chairperson of the United Auburn Indian Community.
"Our tribe takes pleasure in knowing so many lives in Placer County
will be touched through these donations."
Other beneficiaries of the United Auburn Indian Community's Giving
Program second-quarter donations include Foothills Habitat for
Humanity, FORE (Friends of Roseville), Antelope Creek Elementary
School, Placer County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy and the Senior LIFE
Center.
The tribe receives no tax advantage for making a charitable
contribution to any group.
