CHEROKEE, June 2, 2005—For many
centuries, the Cherokee have assisted
members of their tribe who need help,
perhaps tending a garden, fixing a
roof or rebuilding a house damaged
by fire. On June 27th, the Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee
Preservation Foundation and Harrah’s
Cherokee Casino and Hotel will build
on this
ga-du-gi tradition of community service
by sponsoring a new annual event called
Cherokee Day of Caring.
During the
daylong event, members of the tribe
and community will help ten
families or individuals in particular
need, lending a hand with painting,
yard clean up, gardening, and even
widening a door so it can accommodate
a wheelchair. Each community club within
the ten communities on the Qualla Boundary
has nominated a beneficiary of the
community endeavor. That evening, ten “Quiet
Heroes” who have served their
communities unselfishly—also
nominated by the community clubs—will
be honored at a dinner.
Volunteers are
sought for the community service part
of the event. No special
skills are necessary in order to participate.
Anyone who can help during the entire
eight-hour period between 8:00 a.m.
and 4:00 p.m. is urged to call 497-3521
and ask for Valorie Welch or Paula
Nelson. Harrah’s employees who
would like to volunteer should contact
Janna Lambert at 487-8853.
When volunteers
sign up, they will be given further
information about
whom they will help and what they will
be asked to do. A limited number of
tribal government employees will be
granted administrative leave if they
elect to be volunteers on the Cherokee
Day of Caring.
"
Cherokee Day of Caring is an important
day for the Cherokee people,” said
Michell Hicks, Principal Chief of the
EBCI. “It gives us an opportunity
to share our pride and commitment to
our community by offering a willingness
to assist others who may be in need
of an extra helping hand."
“Harrah’s Cherokee is committed to our community, and our employees
have spent over 350 hours of their time-off volunteering in the local communities
this year,” said Tom O’Donnell, Senior Vice President and General
Manager at Harrah’s Cherokee. “The Cherokee Day of Caring is an extension
of our commitment to service in this community.”
“Cherokee Preservation
Foundation is pleased to co-sponsor
the Cherokee Day of Caring,” said
Susan Jenkins, the Foundation’s
Executive Director. “Ga-du-gi
is the essence of Cherokee Preservation Foundation’s service to the
EBCI and the seven counties where tribal land is located, and we are eager
to encourage
ga-du-gi on an individual level. We thank the community clubs for all the
work they do, and for their participation in this event.”
About the
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
The Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians (EBCI) is one of the three
federally recognized
Cherokee tribes and the only one east
of the Mississippi River.
There are approximately
13,000 EBCI members, many of whom live on the Qualla Boundary, more than
56,000 acres held in trust by the federal government specifically for the
EBCI.
About Harrah’s
Cherokee Casino and Hotel
Harrah's Cherokee
is an enterprise of the Eastern Band
of Cherokee Indians
and managed by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. Located one mile from the downtown
area
of Cherokee, the facility features a gaming area, a hotel, a conference
center and restaurants. Harrah’s Cherokee is one of the largest employers
in North Carolina west of Charlotte, employing nearly 1,800 people. Harrah’s
Cherokee seeks to make positive change in the region through employment,
volunteerism
and financial contributions to non-profit groups.
About Cherokee Preservation
Foundation
Cherokee Preservation
Foundation (CPFdn) was established
on November 14,
2000, as part of the Second Amendment to
the Tribal-State Compact between
the EBCI
and the State of North Carolina. It is an independent nonprofit foundation
funded by the EBCI from gaming revenues generated by the Tribe. CPFdn
is not part of
or associated with any for-profit gaming entity. Since CPFdn’s
inception, it has made 219 grants totaling more than $15.5 million.
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