Ignacio's ELHI Community Center and several of its tenants were among the beneficiaries of the annual Sky Ute Casino Non-Profit Money Booth on May 12. Representatives from each of 15 non-profit groups from around the region described their group's mission and received a $500 check from casino general manager Charley Flagg during the reception before going to the money booth.
"This has to be my favorite event of the year," Flagg said. "We've been doing this for 17 years. The (Southern Ute Indian) tribe really tries to engage the community, to give back to the community." Almost $400,000 has been given to area non-profits since the event started, he said.
ELHI director Raymond Dunton commented, "When you are a start-up, there are things that you just don't know you need money for," such as the office computer, the computer printer, the ink for the printer. The ELHI, which began operating last year, took home $1,565, including the $500.
Natalie Howard represented Silver Spruce Academy, one of the ELHI tenants. Silver Spruce provides supplemental learning opportunities for home school families. The academy also operates in Gem Village. Silver Spruce took home $1,690.
Tandy Nossaman was there for Hope Community Christian Academy, another ELHI tenant. The academy is a private school for grades K-6 that also provides home school services. They provide support to parents with things like curriculum and testing, and they do lots of field trips and social service projects, she said. The academy ended up with the second largest take of the night, $2,840. Nossaman said the money will go for tuition scholarships.
Sharon Hunter represented yet another ELHI tenant, La Plata County Independent Youth Performing Arts which provides activities such as colorguard, winterguard, musical theater, and dance - from ballet to hip hop. Around 60 kids have participated since February, Hunter said. For fundraisers they sell Krispy Kreme donuts and "do high class begging at Albertsons," she said. The Money Booth evening proceeds, $1,420, will go to the group's rent at ELHI, she said.
The Ignacio Community Church, also an ELHI tenant, will use their money, $2,040, for their Vacation Bible School. Pastor Randall Haynes noted the church has been in Ignacio for more than 100 years.
Other local Money Booth participants operate from locations other than the ELHI. The Boys & Girls Club of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe has been providing safe, positive activities for area youth age 6 to 14 for 10 years, Augusta Burch said. They are at SunUte Community Center. They took home $2,575.
The Ignacio Adult Learning Center provides education for young adults to the elderly, representative Muz Pinnecoose said. "The mind doesn't stop learning and growing just because we grow old," he said. The Learning Center took home $1,735.
The TARA Historical Society aims to preserve the history and promote the culture of the Tiffany, Arboles, Rosa, and Allison area. They organize various community activities and operate the community center in Arboles. Jo Carole spoke for them. They took home $1,650.
Southern Ute Elder and historian Dr. James Jefferson described the Prayer Tree Committee which he founded to preserve and promote Native cultural and spiritual values. He works with the Ignacio School District and wants other districts in the Four Corners region to teach Native history and traditions to Native youth. The committee finished the event with $1,620.
Ignacio Chamber president Andrea Taylor represented that group, which is putting on the second annual Outdoor Expo this weekend at Sky Ute Event Center and organizes various other activities to promote Ignacio businesses and the community. The chamber took home $1,000.
Other Money Booth beneficiaries were the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association (CRIA), which provides visitor services at the national monument, and will use their $1,730 to provide free tours for youth groups; Community Connections ($2,125) which provides services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; the Durango Food Bank ($2,375) which also operates the monthly USDA food commodities distribution and monthly food boxes for low-income seniors; Great Old Broads for Wilderness ($1,825) a national organization based in Durango; and the big winner of the night, Blue Star Mothers of New Mexico Chapter #1, which took home $3,655.
