United Auburn Indian Community Awards $195,250 In Fourth Quarter Charitable Contributions – Tribe Gives Nearly $1 Million Dollars To Local Organizations in 2004

Placer County, CA – The United Auburn Indian Community announced their 2004 fourth quarter charitable donations totaling $195,250 to strengthen regional programs and services in Placer County. The Community Giving Program – a philanthropic branch of tribal government established by the Tribe in March – has provided $984,924 in 2004 to nonprofit organizations supporting needs in education, health, arts and humanities, environment, community development and social services.

Beneficiaries of the Community Giving Program contributions during the fourth quarter include Legal Services of Northern California , Rocklin High School's foreign language department and the Auburn Fire Department.

Legal Services of Northern California provides effective empowerment advocacy and access to systems of justice for low-income clients and communities in 23 counties throughout northern California. Dedicated to helping people help themselves, Legal Services of Northern California's case priorities are housing, health, public benefits and civil rights. The gift from the Tribe will be applied towards the organization's Pro Per Project, a program that teaches unrepresented low-income civil litigants about court procedures and the necessary steps in appropriately filling out court papers.

Rocklin High School's foreign language department was also a recipient of the Tribe's fourth quarter charitable contributions. Department faculty are committed to helping students become fluent in a second language as well as teaching them the importance of other cultures and participating in a global economy. With the donation from the Community Giving Program, the foreign language department will purchase a wide range of reading materials in Spanish and French, including books, magazines and newspapers. A portion of the money received from the Tribe will also be used to purchase portable book carts to move the library from language room to room.

For more than 150 years, the Auburn Fire Department has professionally and efficiently responded to emergencies and calls of need, provided public education, promoted prevention and protected the lives and property of those in the City of Auburn and surrounding communities. The Community Giving Program's donation, coupled with a FEMA grant, will allow the department to construct a Fire Safety House – a mobile classroom featuring child-sized rooms, with real life hazards like heat and smoke. A valuable training tool, the Fire Safety House will provide children and seniors throughout the region the knowledge needed to prevent fires and the steps to follow should they find themselves in a fire situation.

"Our tribe has long been committed to giving back to our neighboring communities," said Jessica Tavares, chairperson of the United Auburn Indian Community and the Casino's Business Board. "After struggling for generations, the Tribe recognizes the importance of helping those who help others. It is indeed a great honor to be able to give to so many worthy organizations committed to improving the lives of those in Placer County."

Other beneficiaries of the United Auburn Indian Community's Giving Program fourth quarter donations include PEACE for Families and the Placer County Fair Association. Matching grant opportunities were also presented to the Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center and Colfax Area  Historic Society.

The United Auburn Indian Community, founders of the Community Giving Program, is located in Placer County, California near the city of Lincoln where it owns and operates the successful Thunder Valley Casino. A federally recognized Indian tribe, the United Auburn Indian Community is a sovereign government, making the establishment of its philanthropic fund even more unique. The Tribe receives no tax advantage for making a charitable contribution to any group.

The Community Giving Program will not be used for loans, deficits or retroactive funding, advertising or promotional sponsorships, religious-based activities, individuals, or political candidates, parties or legislative causes. For more information on the United Auburn Indian Community's Giving Program, contact Kris Martin at (916) 251-1512.