San Manuel Mission Indians Sends $1.7 Million To Haiti

RIVERSIDE -The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians announced today that they are contributing $1.7 million to the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders to help earthquake victims in Haiti.

Tribe officials said the donation will be provided in a $1.5 million donation to the American Red Cross and a $200,000 gift to Doctors Without Borders.

“At this time of unimaginable grief and destruction we are called to act to prevent the further loss of life and ease the suffering of survivors,” San Manuel Chairman James Ramos said. “We stand behind and support the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders as they remain on hand with their volunteers to assist those who are impacted.”

In 2005, San Manuel donated $700,000 to help in the relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, followed by a $1 million donation in 2007 to aid in wildfire recovery in Southern California.

Additionally, the tribe has supported relief for Sudanese refugees by donating a total of $1 million to relief groups in war-torn Darfur.