Legends Casino Hotel prepares to give money to community services

Legends Casino Hotel is set to distribute over $1 million this year through its Yakama Cares program and the Community Impact Fund, continuing its long-standing commitment to support the community.

The initiative benefits a range of services, from nonprofit organizations to law enforcement and emergency responders.

Deirdre Fojuwaye, Assistant Marketing Director at Legends Casino Hotel, said the casino’s growth is a direct reflection of the community’s support.

“We’ve been doing this for over 26 years, and as we enter our 27th year, we’ve come a long way. We started small, with annual contributions of around $200,000, and now we’re distributing over a million dollars,” Fojuwaye said.

Each year, Legends Casino Hotel contributes a portion of its net revenues to local nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, fire departments, and other essential community services.

“So every tribal casino in Washington state has a compact with the state, and charitable contributions are part of our agreement,” Fojuwaye explained. “We give 1% of our net revenues back to the community through the Yakama Cares program and an additional 2% through the Community Impact Fund.”

The Yakama Cares program primarily supports organizations serving communities in Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, and Klickitat counties.

Last year, the program received 468 applications and awarded 113 grants, totaling more than $516,000.

The Community Impact Fund also provided over $560,000 in funding to local law enforcement and other public services.

Fojuwaye highlighted the impact of the Community Impact Fund.

“Last year, the Yakama Nation Safety Department received over $72,000 to replace vests for officers, helping to keep them safe while they serve the community. It was a wonderful feeling to know we could directly contribute to their safety,” she said.

Fojuwaye encourages all eligible nonprofit organizations to apply for this year’s grants.

The deadline for applications for the 2% Community Contribution Fund is March 31.

This fund supports both tribal and non-tribal law enforcement agencies, emergency response services, and other organizations impacted by the ongoing operations of the Yakama Nation Legends Casino/Hotel.

For more information or to apply, contact Dolcee Jack, Executive Director of the Yakama Nation Gaming Commission, at 509-865-5322, Ext. 5506, or visit www.yngc.com.