The Gun Lake Tribe made $35,000 in donations to the West Michigan and Southwest Michigan Chapters of the American Red Cross this week.  The funding was in honor of Gun Lake Tribal citizens who passed away in 2017. The donations were made in addition to those the Gun Lake Casino made for hurricane relief efforts in Texas and Florida.

Retired Chairman D.K. Sprague has volunteered with the American Red Cross for decades. He lost his daughter, Leah Sprague-Fodor, unexpectedly in September and suggested that donations be made in her honor and three other citizens who walked on this year.

“This is a bittersweet occasion,” remarked the Gun Lake Tribe’s Chairman, Scott Sprague. “While we’re honored to donate these funds to such a worthy cause, we’re still mourning the loss of our brothers and sisters this year. We’re glad we could find such a meaningful way to honor their memory.”

D.K. Sprague is looking forward to seeing the funds used for much needed upgrades to the Red Cross’s infrastructure, and other resources that help them perform the amazing work they do for so many people in need.

“We’re so thankful for the generosity of organizations like yours,” commented Mike Mitchell, Executive Director of the West Michigan American Red Cross. “The Red Cross does not receive government funds and relies mainly on donations such as this to provide emergency and disaster relief both locally and abroad.”