Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Beverly Adkisson, president of Bank of America, Tahlequah branch presents a $10,000 check to (left) Richard A. Fields, executive director - Cherokee Heritage Center and (right) Mary Ellen Meredith, president - Cherokee National Historical Society, Inc.

Tahlequah, Oklahoma - The Bank of America recently kicked off the Cherokee Heritage Center’s 2004 fundraising effort, called the Ga-Du-Gi Drive, with a $10,000 donation. Ga-Du-Gi is a Cherokee phrase which appropriately means "working together for the community." Bank of America has long been a steadfast supporter of the Cherokee National Historical Society, Inc. and an excellent example of Ga-Du-Gi.

The Board of Trustees for the Cherokee National Historical Society, Inc. and the employees of the Cherokee Heritage Center would like to take this opportunity to thank bank president Beverly Adkisson, and the Bank of America for their commitment to our mission and community.

The society is dedicated to preserving and promoting Cherokee history and culture. They accomplish this mission through the operation of the Cherokee Heritage Center and the center’s numerous attractions and events.

It continues to be a challenge to keep the high quality, world-renowned facilities and programs offered up to the level and standards that have made the center so famous. Earned income alone is not enough to keep pace with the rising cost of operations, increasing program costs and the aging facility. The goal of the Ga-Du-Gi Drive is to raise $250,000 to meet these costs.

The society is thankful for donors and the past support of members who made the work of the Cherokee Heritage Center possible and ask again to follow the example set by Bank of America’s commitment with a generous donation. Members and patrons of the Cherokee National Historical Society, Inc. should keep an eye on their mail boxes for receipt of the Ga-Du-Gi Drive letter and pledge card. Pledge cards can also be obtained from the Cherokee Heritage Center web site.

Everyone benefits when people of a community work together, sharing their rich heritage and culture with the world.

For more information on the Ga-Du-Gi Drive or the Cherokee Heritage Center, call 918-456-6007, toll free: 888-999-6007 or visit the CHC web site.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org