Relief Efforts Get Boost From Tule River Tribal Council

By David Courtland, The Porterville Recorder, Calif.

Jan. 25–The one-day total for Tuesday’s drive-through freeze aid fundraiser has shot to more than $40,000 thanks to a $25,000 donation from the Tule River Indian Reservation Tribal Council.

Tribal Administrator Rodney Martin said the donation was prompted by concern for the families of workers left without income because of the citrus freeze.

“The council is very supportive of the community and understands that these people were affected severely, but still have rent to pay and kids to feed,” Martin said.

The check, made out to the Porterville Salvation Army, is earmarked to help laid-off workers pay rent, utilities and mortgages or simply feed their families.

The Rev. John Eby of the Porterville Salvation Army said Tuesday’s drive-through donations totaled $15,221.

That doesn’t count the tribal donation or the $1,900 donated Wednesday by the Porterville Rotary Club.

Several other Porterville civic clubs donated money Tuesday, including the Porterville Breakfast Rotary Club, which gave $1,500 and the Porterville Chamber of Commerce, which gave $1,000.

Schools got into the act as well, with Monte Vista, West Putnam and Los Robles elementary schools jointly donating more than $400.

The Porterville Athletic Association, a Porterville High School club, donated $150.

The drive-through event was part of a regional freeze relief telethon sponsored by KSEE 24-TV and its various media partners, including K-TIP Radio in Porterville. The event raised $260,000 in monetary donations.

Food donations were estimated at 30,000 pounds, which Community Food Bank CEO and President Sarah Reyes said is equal to $240,000.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Porterville Recorder, Calif.

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