Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation Hosts Second Annual Celebration Dinner

“We build solid partnerships in the community through our Foundation and we host this event in order to honor those partnerships,” said Vincent Armenta, Tribal Chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “We want to pay tribute to the many organizations who do so much to make this community a better place to live and work.”

Held in the Samala Showroom at the Chumash Casino Resort, the Foundation Dinner program featured remarks from tribal leadership as well as a video on the Chumash Golf Classic Charity Tournament held this past August, which raised $90,000 for local charities.

In addition, the Foundation provided an opportunity for representatives from local non-profits to raise funds for their organizations. “Last year we offered entertaining and unique on-the-spot fundraising,” said Veronica Sandoval, Foundation Administrator. “We brought that fun back – with a twist. Instead of the spinning wheel we used last year, we offered participants an opportunity to win up to $5,000 with the Money Ball Machine.”

In addition, the Foundation presented service awards to deserving non-profits in five categories. The Community Enhancement and Environment service award went to Santa Barbara Channelkeeper; the Culture and Recreation service award was given to Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation; the Education and Personal Development service award went to Santa Barbara County Education Office in support of its Teachers Network program; the Health & Human Services award went to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Barbara County; and the Native American service award was given to Ventura County Indian Education Consortium. Each service award recipient received a certificate and a grant check from the tribe’s Foundation in the amount of $ 5,000.

“The guiding principle for our Foundation is based on what our ancestors have passed down through the generations,” said Chairman Armenta. “The tribal members from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians have always been generous people and we will continue this lasting legacy through the work we do with our Foundation.”

Over the years, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has contributed more than $15 million to enhance the local community.