NEW BUFFALO — The Pokagon Fund announced that $496,831 in project funding was awarded in March and April.

 

Ten percent of The Pokagon Fund’s grant awards support areas where there is a Pokagon Band Land Trust Consolidation Site – areas surrounding Dowagiac and South Bend, Ind. The following projects were funded in those geographic regions:

 

•  $10,000 to Pokagon Township for a new pavilion in the township

 

•  $9,973 to Pokagon Volunteer Fire Department for a thermal imaging camera

 

•$8,250 to Coloma Emergency Ambulance for simulation training equipment

 

•  $5,000 to the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority for bandstand improvements

 

•   $3,400 to implement the Five Star Life program at Dowagiac Middle School, encouraging motivation and inspiration for students to live their best lives possible

 

•  $3,000 to Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority for destination branding

 

• $2,365 to Old Rugged Cross for a museum display on the Pokagon tribe

 

•   $2,000 to St. Adalbert Parish for the Cinco de Mayo celebration in South Bend

 

•    $1,500 to Life Treatment Center for veteran programming, providing computers

 

• $1,000 to Alcohol and Addictions Resources Center for Perinatal Exposure Prevention Project, to fund mileage expenses for expectant mothers to get to doctor’s appointments

 

The Pokagon Fund began receiving funding from The Four Winds Casino in 2007. 

 

Since that time, the foundation has awarded $14.6 million in project funding. 

 

The Pokagon Fund is funded by 0.75 percent net earnings of electronic gaming revenue from the Four Winds Casino.

 

 

 

 

 

–          $119,881 to New Buffalo Area Schools for the Harbor Country Summer Day Camp

 

The Pokagon Fund is excited to fund again for the third year, a summer camp for 200 children in Harbor Country.  Students who have completed Kindergarten through seventh grade living in New Buffalo, Chikaming or Three Oaks Townships are eligible to attend this five week camp during the summer. 

 

 “This camp has grown by leaps and bounds over the years and we are proud to be part of such a great offering.  This kind of programming really supports the local families by giving their kids a safe and fun way to spend their summer,” said Mary Dunbar, executive director of The Pokagon Fund.

 

 

 

Other projects funded include:

 

 

 

–          $63,160 to Three Oaks Baseball for field enhancements and equipment

 

–          $45,000 to Harbor Arts for the Three Oaks Theater Festival

 

–          $42,608 to River Valley School District and New Buffalo Area Schools for a Joint Summer School for Middle High School

 

–          $35,000 to St. Mary of the Lake for the Slice of Summer Program

 

–          $32,443 to New Buffalo Area Schools for Elementary Summer School

 

–          $23,540 to the Region of Three Oaks Museum for interior and exterior enhancements to the museum

 

–          $20,000 to Harbor Country Opera for the 2013 Opera Season

 

–          $15,000 to Animal Lovers for their Spay and Neuter and Pet Adoption programming

 

–          $14,816 to New Buffalo Township for computer upgrades and a copier

 

–          $10,000 to Village of Michiana for the Michiana Day Camp

 

–          $5,825 to the New Buffalo Business Association for Planter Beautification

 

–          $5,000 to Three Oaks Township for Environmental Surveys to determine viability of a new park along the Galien River

 

–          $4,700 to School of American Music, for equipment, instructional materials, and support for student’s fees

 

–          $4,100 to the Three Oaks Community Garden for Community Education programs

 

–          $3,000 to St. John’s United Church of Christ to create a Community Youth Space

 

–          $3,000 to River Valley High School for the Junior Senior Prom 2013

 

–          $1,770 to the River Valley and New Buffalo Equestrian Teams for team expenses

 

–          $1,000 to Hospice at Home for the Blanket Brigade project, working with local students to make blankets for Hospice patients

 

–          $500 to Berrien County Shrine Club for the Shrine Circus for people in The Pokagon Fund service area