Rincon Voice News

Harrah’s Resort Southern California and the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians Awards $225,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofit Organizations

Seventh Annual “All-in 4 Change” Event Raises Funds for Local Charities

FUNNER, Calif. (September 30, 2022) – Today, Harrah’s Resort Southern California hosted its seventh annual “All-in 4 Change” luncheon, awarding $150,000 in grants to some of Southern California’s most deserving non-profit organizations. The “All-in 4 Change” charitable program was created in 2015 to showcase the resort’s pride for, and commitment to, its community.

“On behalf of the Rincon Tribe, we are honored to partner with Harrah’s Resort Southern California to continue to support those in our community,” stated Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon Tribe. “If we can play a small role when it comes to positively impacting someone’s life through the help of our local nonprofits, then we know that we’re doing exactly what we need to do.”

In addition to the $150,000 in grants from Harrah’s Resort SoCal, the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians has also generously awarded an additional $75,000 to three deserving nonprofit organizations today; $40,000 was donated to Final Honor, $25,000 to ResQue Ranch and $10,000 to Burn Institute.

Harrah’s Resort SoCal continues to share its financial success by donating a portion of its profits to the local community and charitable causes. Since opening its doors in 2002, the resort has donated more than $5 million in cash and in-kind gifts to community and charitable organizations, as part of their ongoing commitment to giving back.

“Giving back is one of our strongest values here at Harrah’s Resort Southern California,” said Jill Barrett, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Harrah’s Resort Southern California. “It’s in our DNA to lift up those in our community that are in need and we could not be more grateful to have the resources and abilities to keep the ripple effect in motion — to give back to those who in turn, give back.”

In July, non-profits from San Diego, Riverside and Orange Counties were invited to apply for the program. Applications were carefully reviewed by the judging committee in early August and eligible applicants were informed that they made it to the next stage of the competition. Community members were encouraged to vote for their favorite non-profits amongst the group of finalists. When the polls closed on Aug. 30, community votes accounted for 50 percent of the overall score to win a grant, while the remaining 50 percent of the score was determined by a carefully selected committee at Harrah’s Resort Southern California. Winners were announced at the “All-In 4 Change” luncheon, with the grant allocations and awards as follows:

  • First Place Grant awarded to Feeding San Diego: $55,000
  • Second Place Grant awarded to Canine Companions for Independence: $25,000
  • Third Place Grant awarded to Navy Marine Corps PROUD Foundation: $15,000
  • Fourth Place Grant awarded to Armed Services YMCA: $10,000
  • Fifth Place Grant awarded to The Elizabeth Hospice: $5,000
  • Ten Honorable Mention Grants at $4,000 each:
  • Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center
  • Helen Woodward Animal Center
  • Support the Enlisted Project
  • Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego
  • Community Transition Academy
  • Reality Changers
  • Trans Family Support Services
  • North County LGBT Center
  • Operation Homefront
  • Wings of Change

This year’s first-place winner, Feeding San Diego, is the leading hunger-relief and food rescue organization in San Diego County and the only Feeding America member in the region. They work to provide more than 35 million meals every year to children, families, seniors, college students, military families, veterans, people facing homelessness, and other underserved populations. They partner with more than 600 food donors in San Diego County and over 225 farms and packing sheds throughout California to rescue high-quality food before it goes to waste, and distribute meals in partnership with 370 local charities, schools, faith communities, meal sites, and food pantries throughout the region. In addition to rescuing and distributing high-quality food, Feeding San Diego helps individuals enroll in CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps) to help those in need purchase groceries for their families.

Last year, Harrah’s Resort SoCal awarded $100,000 in grants and honorees including TransFamily Support Service, Helen Woodward Animal Center and Support the Enlisted Project, to name a few.

For more information on Harrah’s Resort Southern California’s “All-in 4 Change” initiative, please visit www.harrahssocal.com/all-in-4-change.

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HARRAH’S RESORT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Located between San Diego and Los Angeles, in a mountain valley along the San Luis Rey River, Funner, California is the city where fun lives. Offering two luxurious towers housing 1,087 rooms and suites, an award-winning trifecta of pools, a serene 11,000 square-foot spa and SoCal’s first tribally owned brewery it’s easy to see why Harrah’s Resort SoCal is voted “Best Resort in Funner, CA.” Pack your victory dance or your party pants and get ready to get away from it all. Sip on a golden martini, indulge in delicacies from around the world and go all-in on fun with weekly promotions, SoCal’s first all-table Jackpot and a gaming floor packed with 1,600 Slots or 50 Table Games. It really is all fun and games in Funner, CA! To book your stay or learn more visit www.harrahssocal.com. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

THE RINCON BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS

The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians is a sovereign government recognized by the United States of America. The Tribe owns Harrah’s Resort Southern California and uses profits from this and other commercial enterprises to provide government services including police and environmental enforcement; economic development; healthcare and culture programs; and a tribal court. At no cost to taxpayers, Rincon’s public safety operations respond to emergencies in the neighboring communities, with the majority of calls generated outside the Reservation. Rincon’s tribal enterprises are significant contributors to the North San Diego County economy through job creation, tax generation, purchase of local products and services and charitable donations. www.rincon-nsn.gov.

ABOUT CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

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Rincon Tribe Comments on Governor Newsom’s Response to Department of the Interior Disapproval of Two Tribal Gaming Compacts “WE SUPPORT DOI’s DECISION”

Valley Center, CA… The Rincon Tribe stands by the Department of Interior (DOI) on their implementation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) as originally intended by Congress. We applaud the DOI for standing up to Governor Newsom’s misguided and illegal gaming compact policy by rejecting the Middletown Rancheria and Santa Rosa Rancheria gaming compacts. We strongly believe this is simply bad business.

Governor Newsom’s recent press statement denouncing the DOI decision fails to clearly inform the public that not a single compact negotiated by his Administration has been approved by the Department. The Rincon Tribe has authored dozens of letters to the office of the Governor explaining in detail the illegal overreaching into sovereign areas not directly related to the regulation of gaming and the illegal taxation of tribal gaming revenue. Governor Newsom does not inform the public that more than two dozen tribes are currently in litigation with the State over his illegal compact policy and that the federal courts have consistently ruled against the State.

The Rincon Tribe operates its successful gaming facility, Harrah’s Resort Southern California, without a compact agreement with the State. For years, the Rincon Tribe has watched with dismay that the State of California has ignored the directives of the DOI and has continued on a path of bad faith in negotiating compacts and amendments with our sister tribes. We must protect the future of all federally recognized tribes. The latest disapproval of compacts by the DOI comes on the heels of last year’s decision in the federal court finding that Governor Newsom failed to negotiate in good faith with the Chicken Ranch Rancheria and four other tribes. Rather than follow the direction of the Department of the Interior and the federal courts, Governor Newsom issued a press release accusing the Department of acting arbitrarily in rejecting his compact policy. The intent of IGRA is not arbitrary, but law.

Rincon was an active participant in forging a successful partnership with the People of California in the passage of Proposition 1A in the spring of 2000. The compacts Rincon and more than sixty tribes reached with the State in the fall of 1999 set the foundation for a hugely successful relationship between the Tribes and their surrounding communities, generating tens of thousands of jobs and infusing untold millions into local economies. Since that historical relationship was forged, the State of California has quietly and progressively eroded those agreements to the point that the current gaming compact negotiation policy is unrecognizable.

It is our hope the Governor, his staff and the Department of the Interior sit down face to face and try to understand each other’s position. Perhaps we can all develop a sound fair compact, which addresses the true intent of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. In the true spirit of Government- to- Government relations, which Governor Newsom has embraced and is personally committed to, we should read and embrace the detailed analysis in the dozens of letters from the Department and the mounting body of federal court decisions to establish a new gaming compact policy that sticks to the lawful regulation of gaming activities.

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About the Rincon Tribe
The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians is a sovereign government recognized by the United States of America. The Tribe owns Harrah’s Resort Southern California and uses profits from this and other commercial enterprises to provide government services including police and environmental enforcement; economic development; healthcare and culture programs; and a tribal court. At no cost to taxpayers, Rincon’s public safety operations respond to emergencies in the neighboring communities, with more than a majority of calls generating outside the Reservation. Rincon’s tribal enterprises are significant contributors to the North San Diego County economy through job creation, tax generation, purchase of local products and services and charitable donations. www.rincon-nsn.gov.

Rincon Tribe Donates to the Valley Center Fire Explorers

Rincon Fire Dept. participates in Chili Cook-Off to Fundraise and Raise Awareness

Valley Center, CA…The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and the Rincon Fire Department has generously donated to the Valley Center Fire Explorer Program. The donation will help with the purchase of safety equipment such as turnout pants, boots, jackets, helmets, gloves, brush gear and shirts.

“We are so proud to be able to donate to a program which instills our youth with strong work ethics and values,” stated Chairman Bo Mazzetti. “It is our continued goal to help motivate our youth into action and provide them with educational and “hands-on” opportunities. Our children are the future and I strongly believe we must continue to supply them with the necessary tools to be successful members of society.”

The Valley Center Fire Explorers Program, organized under the Boy Scouts of America, is designed to allow young men and women, between the ages of 15-21, explore a career in the fire service. The program focuses on goals for the fire service and provides opportunities to learn emergency lifesaving and rescue skills, leadership training and development.

“We are so grateful to the Rincon Tribe for this donation. This donation was much needed as we run our program strictly off donations,” expressed Debbie Spencer Coordinator for the Valley Center Fire Explorers. “Our goal is to establish a scholarship fund to provide a recipient the opportunity to further their career in the fire service.”

For more information on the program visit, www.valleycenterfire.com

About the Rincon Tribe
The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians is a sovereign government recognized by the United States of America. The Tribe owns Harrah’s Resort Southern California and uses profits from this and other commercial enterprises to provide government services including police and environmental enforcement; economic development; healthcare and culture programs; and a tribal court. At no cost to taxpayers, Rincon’s public safety operations respond to emergencies in the neighboring communities, with more than a majority of calls generating outside the Reservation. Rincon’s tribal enterprises are significant contributors to the San Diego County economy through job creation, tax generation, purchase of local products and services and charitable donations. www.rincon-nsn.gov.