North Bend, Ore. – Projects at 55 area non-profit organizations and public agencies are moving forward with more than $634,000 in grants distributed
by the Coquille Tribal Community Fund.
The Fund's Board of Trustees announced grants totaling $634,148.88 were provided to programs and projects to enhance public safety, social services,
educational opportunities, health services and economic development in a five-county region of southwestern Oregon.
The Coquille Indian Tribe established the community fund in 2001 as a way to share profits from The Mill Casino · Hotel with community organizations.
Since its inception, the fund has distributed close to $2 million to support charitable efforts throughout the region.
“A practice of sharing with neighbors was central to the life of the traditional Coquille people,” said Ed Metcalf, Coquille Tribal Council chairman. “Our
current commitment to sharing our bounty with regional non-profit organizations and agencies, and thus serving the needs of our South Coast neighbors,
comes from the same spirit that has guided our people for thousands of years.”
This year, grant awards ranged from $1,000 to $100,000.
“Organizations throughout the region presented us with many creative and highly promising projects during the past year,” said Michele Burnette,
chair of the fund's board of trustees. “We are pleased to provide the financial resources needed by people who are dedicated to improving life in our
corner of Oregon.”
The largest grant, $100,000 went to the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport for a project to move utility lines underground and provide landscaping for
the project area. This is the second year a grant of this size was issued for a regional economic development project. The City of Coos Bay received
a similar grant in 2005 for its industrial development efforts on the North Spit.
Investments in public safety again were a focus with a grant of over $80,500 to the Dora-Sitkum Fire District for improvements to the fire hall, library
and community center. Other public safety grants went to the Charleston Fire District, Coos Bay Police Department, North Bend Fire Department and Rogue
Valley Search and Rescue.
The Fund also contributed to the ongoing effort to provide food to needy residents and homebound seniors in the region. Six area food banks received
grants totaling $30,000 to purchase food along with another $9,500 to help with food storage and delivery.
The Coquille Tribal Community Fund supports non-profit and governmental organizations with projects in the areas of education, health, public safety,
problem gaming, environmental issues, arts and culture and historic preservation. Funds, derived from a percentage of revenues from The Mill Casino · Hotel,
are managed and distributed by a board of trustees comprised of community leaders, a gubernatorial appointee and representatives of the Coquille Indian
Tribe and the Coquille Economic Development Corporation.
The fund reflects the commitment of the Coquille Indian Tribe to take a proactive, positive role in the well-being of the community. The Tribe is among
the largest employers in Coos County, and, through the Coquille Economic Development Corporation, manages The Mill Casino · Hotel and RV Park
along with business ventures in assisted living, organic cranberry farming and high-speed telecommunications.
For organizations wishing to be considered for the next round of funding, the deadline for applications is Aug. 31. For more information, visit the
Fund Web site at www.coquilletribalfund.org .
CONTACT: Ray Doering, CEDCO communications coordinator, (541) 756-8800, ext. 243, rdoering@themillcasino.com .
The following organizations received funds this year.
- Alternative Youth Activities – for re-roofing of the Main Site School.
- Assistance Dog Network – for the Paws to Read program.
- BACAPA – to purchase a tractor.
- Bay Area Senior Computer Club – to purchase five laptop computers for seniors classes.
- Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County – for youth tolerance and appreciation project.
- BRING Recycling – toward completion of a covered, handicap-accessible raised walkway.
- Camp Myrtlewood – toward completion of the camp kitchen.
- CASA of Coos County – for training and supervision of volunteers.
- Charleston Fire Department – to purchase firefighter safety equipment.
- Charleston Food Bank – for food and operating expenses.
- Citizens for Bay Area Youth – toward design costs for the skate park.
- City of Bandon Community Center – to upgrade the community center and build a community kitchen.
- City of North Bend Swimming Pool – for the “Save our Pool” project.
- Coastal Douglas Arts and Business – for renovation of Pacific Auditorium.
- Coos Art Museum – to upgrade flooring in the Atrium Gallery.
- Coos Bay Police Department – to construct a “live fire” shoot house.
- Coos County Foster Parents Association – to pay freight for food for foster homes.
- Coos County Logging Museum – for a display board and the purchase of historical pictures.
- Curry Health Foundation – to purchase a ventilator.
- Dora-Sitkum Fire District – for improvements to the fire hall, library and community center.
- Ecumenical Emergency Food Cupboard at Emmanuel – to purchase food.
- Florence Habitat for Humanity – to purchase construction materials.
- Friends of Lakeside Library – to purchase computer software.
- Friends of State Street Park – to replace playground equipment.
- Friends of the Coos County Animals – to provide medical care to needy animals.
- Furry Friends Therapy Dogs, Inc. – to educate children in dog safety and ownership.
- Harbor Lights Middle School – to develop an outdoor education center and cultural nature trail.
- Lab Band Association – to purchase six laptop computers and two printers.
- Marshfield Pirate Band – to purchase band uniforms.
- Millicoma Garden Club – to purchase a greenhouse.
- Mingus Park Pool Management – for a moveable ramp with submersible wheelchair.
- Myrtle Point Lions Club – for toys for children.
- Myrtle Point School District – to purchase acoustical shells.
- Myrtle Point Senior and Activity Center – to replace flooring of dining area.
- NBHS Aspire Naggers – for equipment and upgrades for the Career Center.
- North Bend Masonic Lodge – to purchase child identification equipment.
- North Bend Fire Department Regional Dive Team – to replace and purchase dive equipment.
- Oregon Coast Community Action – for Rental Assistance Program.
- Planned Parenthood of SW Oregon – for clinic management software system.
- Port of Bandon – to replace the roof on the Coast Guard Life Saving Station.
- Port Orford Arts Council – for Native American activities.
- Powers Food Bank, the Joseph Project – to purchase food.
- Powers Public Schools #31 – to heat the covered play area.
- Rogue Valley Search and Rescue – to purchase radios for search and rescue.
- SCBEC/Coos-Curry Senior Nutrition – to provide homebound seniors with meals.
- Seventh Day Adventist Food Bank – to repair and line freezer with stainless steel.
- SMART – to purchase books and materials.
- South Coast Alano – to upgrade facility.
- Southern Coos Health District – to purchase a bronchoscope.
- Southwest Oregon Regional Airport – for underground utilities and landscaping.
- SW Oregon Dental Hygiene Association – to purchase supplies for educational presentations.
- Triangle Food Box #1 – to purchase food.
- Triangle Food Box #2 – for truck expenses.
- Waterfall Clinic, Inc. – for expansion of school-based health care.
- Women's Safety and Resource Center – for facilitators for evening INOKA groups.
- Womenspace – to purchase a van.
