Opinion: Chumash Tribe benefits the community with its casino

Thursday, October 6, 2011

"The Chumash are the biggest donors to charities in Santa Barbara County in general and the Valley in particular. Earlier this year, the Chumash Foundation announced $148,000 in grants to a variety of nonprofits.

Since forming their own foundation six years ago, they have made $413,000 in grants. In past years, they gave about $3 million to the local high school to upgrade the football stadium, and made a grant to the city of Buellton to pay for a motorcycle police officer.

Their website has a long list of nonprofits and government organizations they have supported, including:

A commitment to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department for five years for a firefighter-paramedic position.
Purchase of a search-and-rescue vehicle for the county Sheriff's Department.
Purchase of thermal imaging cameras for the Lompoc Fire Department.
A $50,000 donation to Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital for equipment for the hospital's radiology lab.
A $10,000 donation to the Santa Barbara County Foodbank to ensure that no needy family in the county was without a turkey during Thanksgiving.
Nearly $160,000 worth of forensic equipment for law enforcement agencies throughout Santa Barbara County."

Get the Story:
Harris Sherline: Consider the benefits generated by the casino (The Solvang Valley News 10/6)

Another Opinion:
Preservation of Los Olivos: Chumash Casino tribe the first government? (The Santa Ynez Valley Journal 10/6)

Related Stories:
Vincent Armenta: Chumash Tribe shares facts about land plans (9/29)