(Eagle Mountain Casino, Porterville, Ca 93257) – Eagle Mountain Casino brightened the holidays for four charity organizations by donating the proceeds from their annual charity golf tournament.
This December, Eagle Mountain Casino brought holiday cheer to the South Valley with a sizable donation to four local charities taken from proceeds from their annual charity golf tournament. These charities included Visalia Emergency Aid Council, Golden Empire Gleaners in Bakersfield, Porterville Area Coordinating Council, and Valley Adult Day Services in Porterville. This year’s annual golf tournament raised more than $77,000 in cash from donations and participation, which led to each charity receiving $19,250 for their cause. The event was attended by members of each charity and organization, along with members of the Tule River Tribal Council, Tule River Elders Council, and members of Eagle Mountain Casino.
The tournament started with a welcome from Eagle Mountain Casino General Manager Matthew Mingrone, who welcomed everyone to the event and highlighted the importance of these organizations to their communities. “We at Eagle Mountain Casino and The Tule River Tribe want to thank you for all that you do and show you that you are an inspiration to everyone with how you help and benefit the communities around you,” Matthew Mingrone stated. “I’ve challenged the golf committee Sal Ambriz, Casino Marketing Director and Table Games Manager Tyson Gibson with coming up with a tournament that is more fun for players but also gives the most back to the community, and this year we set a new bar, raising $77,000 in total,” he stated.
The charity reception was also attended by members of the Tule River Tribal Council, including Chairman William Garfield, Council Member Gary Santos, Council Treasurer Priscilla Santos, Council Member Harold Santos, Council Member Joyce Carothers, and Elders Council Chairman Clint Gibson. “We have been trying to prove for many years that Eagle Mountain Casino and The Tule River Tribe are good community partners and want to give back to the community that has given so much to us,” Chairman Garfield stated. “Thank you for all you do for the community and how much you help those around you,” he said.
Members of each organization were invited to speak, and all were very grateful for the generosity of Eagle Mountain Casino and The Tule River Tribe. “I grew up with kids from the Tule River Tribe in Porterville. We went to the same schools and have been part of the same community for years,” stated Fred Beltran, the Porterville Area Coordinating Council board member. “The transformation of this community has been amazing, and the opening of Eagle Mountain Casino was a shot in the arm that this community needed. I am truly grateful to Eagle Mountain Casino for this generous donation and how they have helped shape and help this community grow over the years,” he stated. Richard Eckhoff of Valley Adult Day Services was excited about the relocation of Eagle Mountain Casino and how the community will benefit from the move to Porterville, “I am looking forward to Eagle Mountain moving down the hill and becoming part of our community. I want to thank you all for what you have done already for the City of Porterville and for all of the exciting things that are to come,” he stated.
Golden Empire Gleaners, a food bank located in Bakersfield, was also one of the charities that received part of the tournament’s proceeds. Debbie Powers, a representative from the organization, shared her gratitude for Eagle Mountain Casino and The Tule River Tribe and thanked them for their contribution. “Most people don’t know who we are and what we do. We are a food bank that supports over 1,000 families per month with food boxes and gift baskets. This contribution will go directly into the community and goes a long way to helping families this holiday season,” she stated. Mary Jennings, the Executive Director of the Visalia Emergency Aid Council, also shared her thanks to Eagle Mountain Casino and The Tule River Tribe. “This Casino and Tribe do such amazing work for this community and always give back to those who need it. Thank you for stepping up and taking care of the community around you. It shows how much you care and how much you want to give back,” she said.
The ceremony closed with pictures of each donation recipient, and all in attendance left with hopeful outlooks and a happy holiday spirit. Eagle Mountain Casino and The Tule River Tribe continue to show how much they care for the community around them and how much they are willing to step up, give back and take care of those that have supported them for so many years.
Currently, Eagle Mountain Casino, is located 17 miles east of Porterville and is a full-service casino owned and operated by the Tule River Tribe. Guests must be 18 years of age to enter. The Casino is open 24/7. The Grizzly Food court is open 24/7 and the River Steakhouse is open Friday – Sunday from 5pm – 10pm. Eagle Mountain Casino is a short drive from Bakersfield or Visalia. Bus service from Bakersfield is suspended until further notice due to Covid. The new Casino property is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2022, off Highway 65 in Porterville, CA next to the Porterville Fair Grounds
