The Coquille Tribal Community Fund today awarded $342,000 in grants to 39 area non-profit organizations and public agencies. “Ever since we created the Community Fund in 2001, this day has held an important place for members of Coquille Indian Tribe because it is an opportunity to share our bounty with our friends and neighbors,” said Coquille Tribal Council Chairperson Brenda Meade. “It is an honor to help those who are doing so much to improve lives in southwestern Oregon.” Each year the Coquille Indian Tribe sets aside a portion of the gaming revenues from The Mill Casino to support projects by non-profit organizations in the Tribe’s five-county service area. Since its inception, the Fund has provided more than $4.6 million in grants for charitable efforts throughout the region. Although this year’s funding continued to support regional cultural activities, including $82,000 to complete a $600,000 commitment to the Coos Historical and Maritime Center, the Fund’s Board of Trustees focused its giving to programs serving the most needy. The following organizations received grants this year: •A Family for Every Child – $5,000 for adoption agency programs. •Bandon Community Youth Center – $3,300 for youth center operation costs. •Bandon Historical Society Museum – $3,000 to purchase display furniture. •Bay Area First Step – $3,500 for kitchen renovations. •Bay Area Senior Activity Center – $10,000 for food purchases. •CASA of Douglas County – $5,000 to train CASA volunteers. •Charleston Rural Fire Protection District – $5,500 to update traffic safety equipment. •Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County – $10.000 for therapy group services. •Christian Help Food Bank – $5,000 for delivery and transportation costs. •Coos Art Museum – $4,500 for the student biennial exhibit. •Coos Bay Seventh-Day Adventist Food Pantry – $10,000 for food purchases. •Coos County Public Health – $5,000 to purchase a new microscope for disease prevention. •Coos Historical & Maritime Center – $82,000 for building costs for the new center. •Ecumenical Emergency Food Cupboard – $10,000 for food purchases. •Egyptian Theatre – $10,000 for structural repairs. •F.I.R.S.T. – $2,000 to purchase books for students. •Florence Food Share – $5,000 for food purchases. •Habitat for Humanity/Rogue Valley – $5,000 for construction costs. •Kairos – $7,700 for treatment services for children and families. •Little Theater on the Bay – $8,000 for renovations and new seating. •Maslow Project of Coos County – $10,000 to provide necessities to those in need. •ORCCA-Share Bear Snack Pack program – $6,000 to feed hungry children on weekends and holidays. •ORCCA-CASA – $5,000 to train CASA volunteers. •ORCCA-South Coast Food Share – $8,000 for food costs. •Point Man Ministries Outpost 101 – $20,000 for the emergency fund for veterans and families. •Port Orford Street Revitalization Association – $3,500 for the downtown beautification project. •Pregnancy Resource Center – $2,000 to provide services to pregnant women. •Reedsport Volunteer Fire Department – $11,000 to purchase a new jaws of life. •Restoration Worship Center Food Pantry – $2,000 for food purchases. •Rogue Valley District Council – $10,000 for the emergency utility assistance program. •Siuslaw Outreach Services – $6,000 for the emergency voucher fund. •South Coast Alano Club – $10,000 for a new roof and heating system for the building. •South Coast Business Employment Corp. – $10,000 for senior nutrition program food costs. •Southern Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing – $5,000 to purchase low-cost hearing aids. •Southern Oregon Project Hope – $10,000 to provide the homeless community with basic necessities. •Star of Hope Activity Center – $8,500 to purchase a baler and box truck for cardboard recycling. •Sunset School – $2,000 to purchase electronics for the technology club. •Women’s Safety and Resource Center – $10,000 for direct client services. •Zonta – $3,500 to provide school supplies to low income children.
