The Cowlitz Indian Tribe, operator of the ilani casino, said Tuesday it will donate $500,000 to the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington’s COVID Response Fund.
The new fund is dedicated to supporting vital services for local people who are most at risk for health and financial challenges due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to a news release.
The tribe is also donating $275,000 to three charitable organizations in the Puget Sound area, which has been hit hardest by the virus.
“This is a bittersweet moment for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, as these contributions are made possible by the many individuals who have been integral to the success of our casino, ilani, which has temporarily ceased operations as we work to protect our team members and their families as well as our guests and the wider community,” said tribal Chairman William Iyall. Iyall said ilani will reopen as soon as it is considered prudent to do so.
