Gila River Hotels & Casinos deliver checks around GRIC
Christopher Lomahquahu
Gila River Indian News
Gila River Hotels & Casinos delivered checks to Gila River Indian Community tribal departments ahead of the holidays in the amount of $5,000 on Nov. 17.
Teaya Vicente, Public Relations Manager, and Manuel Hernandez, Public Relations Coordinator delivered the checks to the Gila River Fire Department, Tribal Social Services, Gila River Police Department and Gila River Boys & Girls Club.
“It’s a really good benefit and we feel honored,” said GRFD Chief Kathy Garcia, who said the donation will go towards the crisis response team.
Representatives from the Arizona Cardinals were also on hand for the check presentations. “It means everything to [us] to be here to represent the Arizona Cardinals and the Community, because they have been a very important partner with [us] and it is important to give back to Gila River,” said Steve Ryan, Senior Vice President of Business Development.
“These types of donations allow us to provide better and more efficient care for Community members,” said Javier Hernandez, Crisis Response Manager.
The donation will go towards training for volunteers, toys for children at the scene of emergencies, clothing for victims of sexual assaults and other care items for families in dire need.
Gila River Police Chief Timothy Chavez said the money will be used for protective training equipment.
“The assistance came at exactly the right time, when we move into a new training facility,” said Chavez.
Tribal Social Services said their funds will go towards activities that will benefit children and families of the Community and hygienic supplies which will be given out along with presents for Christmas.
The Gila River Boys & Girls Club will also use their money in a variety of important ways.
“Right now, we are in the process of changing over everything, such as our signage, but it will also go towards our teen programs, over social media,” said Jason Jones, Director for Gila River Boys and Girls Club.
Jones was appreciative of the Casino donation on behalf of the Boys & Girls Club of Gila River, since it has recently undergone its own rebranding, new signage is needed to represent the change.