The Three Rivers Foundation Wednesday announced it has awarded $1.1 million in funding to charitable groups in Oregon. The foundation, established by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, made 117 grants, including first-time funding to 62 non-profit organizations.
“It makes my heart feel good,” said Three Rivers Foundation Tribal Council Member Doug Barrett in a statement. “It feels good getting to see what these organizations are doing with the money, whether it be the food banks, helping the youth through their struggles, whatever the money goes, it is pretty awesome.”
The Three Rivers Foundation supports charitable efforts in education, health, public safety, problem gambling, the arts, the environment, cultural activities and historic preservation.
“When I have a rough time throughout the year, I think of today as a positive energy that’s going on in this room, helping the community, bringing the community together, and strengthening it,” said Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians Chief Doc Slyter during a recent luncheon at the Florence Casino to honor the recipients. “What a positive thing to do.”
Recipients include the Cascades Raptor Center, Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshops, and the Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County, which received $25,000. The club plans to use funds to develop an outside habitat for kids and teens to use during winter and spring months.
“There’s a lot of rain here and our kids are stuck inside a lot and so we don’t have gym space at our facility or anywhere close by that they can go, ” said Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County CEO Vanessa Buss. “We’re so very grateful that we have Three Rivers Casino here in Florence to help support the work that we do as a community.”
