Gun Lake Casino Gives $13,000 to Local Libraries

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

DORR, MICHIGAN – Gun Lake Casino, through its Charitable Giving Program, presented a total of $13,000 to 13 Allegan County libraries Thursday. During a reception at Dorr Township Library, Gun Lake Casino surprised 13 local libraries with a $1,000 check.

Within Allegan County there are some 24,000 youth under the age of 14 that lack the skills to be good readers

“We are thankful we are able to make a positive impact for so many individuals in our community,”

says John Shagonaby, CEO Gun Lake Tribal Authority.

“We are committed to giving back to our neighbors in West Michigan,”

he continued.

“At a time when the library budgets has gotten tight, this is great,”

said Bob Vande Vusee, director of the Fennville Library, based in Fennville, Michigan.

“We will be able to keep some programming that we may have had to reduce.”

Within Allegan County there are some 24,000 youth under the age of 14 that lack the skills to be good readers. Children younger than kindergarten age require reading materials in order for them to learn to read.

Gun Lake Casino strives to improve the quality of life for residents in the surrounding communities. In its continued efforts the Casino recognizes and supports literacy and learning programs libraries provide for hundreds of families in Allegan County.

These $1,000 donations will enable the libraries to continue to provide and improve pivotal youth and family programs for local residents.

posted August 31, 2012 7:00 am edt