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Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to Donate $250,000 to Charitable Efforts in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Coachella Valley.

PALM SPRINGS, CA - The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians today announced it will donate $250,000 to help the families of the firefighters, police officers and emergency response personnel who perished in the Pentagon and World Trade Center disasters.

The funds will be distributed to various community and non-profit organizations.

"The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians feel committed to the heroes of our country and our neighborhoods," said Richard M. Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente Tribal Council. "These donations give back to the people and families who have suffered through this great tragedy. This is our way."

The donations to various organizations include: the New York City police and fire departments; The "Marine Corps Law Enforcement Organization Fund," Washington, D.C.; the American Red Cross; the Salvation Army; the relief fund for American and United Airlines pilots and flight attendants and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Twin Tower Relief Fund.

The Tribal Council plans to establish a separate fund with United Way of the Desert for the surviving Coachella Valley families of the New York and Washington, D.C. disasters.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has always been active in the local desert community. Each year, the tribe hosts its annual Tribal Donation ceremony and to date has donated $4.5 million in contributions to local public service and community organizations.

"Our local casino team members are setting up a fund to donate their vacation, sick time and resulting pay accrued over time to donate to the American Red Cross", explained Milanovich.