January 15, 2025 3;30 a.m.

Last Thursday, the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation awarded just over three-quarters of a million dollars to southern Oregon non-profit groups.

A foundation release said the total amount of grants awarded was $751,580, which was distributed to 86 organizations that make a difference in the lives of people in Douglas, Coos, Deschutes, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lane counties.

The awards were presented at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, which is owned by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.

In Douglas County, recipients were given $106,000 including:

*$14,500 to Sunrise Enterprises to assist with the purchase of Point of Sale registers and processing unit for the Myrtle Creek store
*$12,000 to the South Umpqua Historical Society to assist with the construction of a climate-controlled storage facility to allow museum staff to safely store donated items
*$10,000 to Douglas C.A.R.E.S to assist with building an outdoor space including a covered picnic area, picnic tables and a walking path
*$10,000 to the Salvation Army of Roseburg to support the Family Services Emergency Fund for unexpected financial needs for low-income people
*$10,000 to Wildlife Safari to provide scholarships for low-income students participating in Zoo School field trips

Several other local groups received assistance as well.

Since its inception in 1997, the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation has given out over $25 million.

Executive Director Carma Mornarich talked about the work of the foundation and this latest round of giving on the Morning Conversation Tuesday on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN. That interview is a KQEN Podcast at www.541radio.com