United Auburn Indian Community Awards More Than $200,000 In Third Quarter Charitable Contributions

PLACER COUNTY, CA – The United Auburn Indian Community announced today their 2005 third quarter charitable donations totaling $200,262 to strengthen regional programs and services in Placer County and the surrounding areas. The Community Giving Program – a philanthropic branch of tribal government established by the Tribe in March 2004 – has provided over $1.6 million to nonprofit organizations supporting needs in education, health, arts and humanities, environment, community development and social services.

Beneficiaries of Community Giving Program contributions during the third quarter include BloodSource, Disabled Sports USA and Sierra Family Services.

Founded in 1948, BloodSource has grown from a single blood bank beneath a water tower in Sacramento to one of the premier blood centers and blood research organizations in the world. The source of blood and transfusion medicine support to more than 40 hospitals in 18 counties throughout Northern and Central California, the source of advancement in blood services technology and the source of help where needed beyond our state and national borders, BloodSource is committed to meeting the needs of patients, physicians and hospitals by collecting, testing, processing and delivering the safest blood and blood components. The organization will use the donation from the Community Giving Program to purchase a new bloodmobile dedicated for use in Placer County. It will be known as the UAIC BloodMobile. Disabled Sports USA was established by disabled Vietnam veterans to serve those injured in the war. The organization offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent disability. Activities include winter skiing, water sports, summer and winter competitions, fitness and special sports events. Participants include those with visual impairments, amputations, spinal cord injury, dwarfism, multiple sclerosis, head injury, cerebral palsy, and other neuromuscular and orthopedic conditions. A significant portion of the Tribe's donation will be used to purchase new athletic equipment, while the remainder will be applied towards scholarships.

Sierra Family Services, an organization that provides substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling to those in need, was also a beneficiary of the Community Giving Program's third quarter donations. 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. The organization will use its gift to create a UAIC Children's Center in its Auburn facility.

"As a member of the community, we are not only making a financial commitment, but a commitment to creating a better place to live," said Jessica Tavares, chairperson of the United Auburn Indian Community and the Casino's Business Board. "To be able to give to so many worthy causes enriches our people as much as it enriches those who receive."

Other beneficiaries of the United Auburn Indian Community's Giving Program third quarter donations include Alta Vista Elementary School, Antelope Creek Elementary School, Rocklin Elementary School - Institute for Scholarly Enhancement, Sierra Pre-school Parent Co-op, The Forest Foundation and the Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center.

The United Auburn Indian Community, founder of the Community Giving Program, 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.