Inland Tribes Donate $600,000 To Assist Victims, Families of San Bernardino Attacks

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Morongo Band of Mission Indians have committed to contribute a combined $600,000 to aid victims and families impacted by the San Bernardino terrorist attack, Arrowhead United Way announced Monday. With the contribution by the two tribes, $1 million has been donated to the San Bernardino United Relief Fund created by the Arrowhead United Way to provide support for those affected by the Dec. 2 tragedy at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino. “This region of southern California is our home, our shared community. San Manuel and Morongo have joined together at this time to reach out to those impacted so our community might recover to a place of normalcy,” said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “As indigenous peoples of this region, our tribes are connected to this land, its peoples and are called upon to make this commitment to support our community as we heal together.” “We are committed to helping bring solace and healing to the innocent victims and families of this heinous attack,” said Tribal Chairman Robert Martin of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. “We grieve for those who were lost and injured, and we will stand strong with the San Bernardino community as our region works together to rebuild the lives shattered by this act of terrorism.” Fourteen people were killed and 22 more were injured in a mass shooting that has brought the community closer together. “Morongo’s contribution of $250,000 combined with $350,000 from San Manuel, will help tremendously during the long recovery period,” said Doug Rowand, President/CEO of the Arrowhead United Way of San Bernardino. “We are extremely proud and honored to receive this pledge of support from San Manuel and Morongo. Together their commitment has allowed us to surpass our fundraising goal for the long term recovery and well-being of survivors, their families, and others affected by this tragedy,” said Rowand. “Arrowhead United Way is organizing a committee of donors and community leaders including San Manuel and Morongo to help individuals and families fulfill lives of promise by offering ongoing support to address financial and educational needs.” With the contributions from the two tribes, the United Way has surpassed its initial goal to raise $700,000 to assist those impacted by the attack. San Manuel and Morongo will join a diverse group of contributors who have already raised $400,000 for the recovery fund, including Muslims United for San Bernardino, Wells Fargo Foundation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Union Pacific Railroad, Arrowhead Credit Union, and the Arrowhead Family Medical Group in addition to over $100,000 raised through Arrowhead United Way’s crowd-funding text campaign.