TRIBAL GAMING OPERATIONS PROVIDE $360,000FOR LOW-INCOME FUEL ASSISTANCE
Will Help Cover Home Heating Costs for 600 Akwesasne Household

AKWESASNE , NY — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council announced today that both tribal gaming operations contributed $360,000 to help low-income families in the Akwesasne community with home heating costs this winter. The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and the Mohawk Bingo Palace each provided a check in the amount of $180,000 at a press conference held this morning at the casino. The funds will be used to provide $600 in home heating assistance to as many as 600 qualifying households through the Tribe's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

In an energy study released last month, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that households across the country should be prepared to pay more this year for home heating compared to last year. Individual households can expect to pay 48 percent more this winter for natural gas, 32 percent more for heating oil, 30 percent more for propane, and 5 percent more for electricity.

"Akwesasne residents that are hurt the most by increasing home heating costs are those that can least afford to pay more," said Tribal Chief Barbara A. Lazore. She added, "I'm appreciative of the efforts of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and the Mohawk Bingo Palace for giving back to the community. Funds from the tribal gaming operations are being reallocated to provide immediate fuel assistance to low-income household."

In 2004, the Tribal Council provided fuel assistance to senior households to help keep their homes warm during the coldest winter months. More than 200 seniors received $600 in home heating assistance to purchase fuel for the months of December, January, and February. There was no income guideline, but individuals had to be more than 60-years-old and an enrolled tribal member, or eligible for enrollment.

In response to this year's rising home energy costs and colder temperatures, the Tribal Council wanted to expand on its fuel assistance program from last winter and approached the Mohawk Casino and Bingo Palace for support. Both facilities currently allocate a portion of their gaming revenue to provide financial support to a number of critical services and programs for community members. They welcomed the opportunity to once again give back and to provide immediate fuel assistance to low income households in the community.

"Our Casino staff works diligently to serve the needs of our community," said Akwesasne Mohawk Casino General Manager Dianna Tarbell. She noted, "We are thrilled to have the profitability this year to fund these essential programs."

LIHEAP was created in 1982 and helps more than 4.5 million low-income households in meeting home energy costs. There are nearly 150 tribes and tribal organizations that operate LIHEAP programs in 27 states. The Tribe has operated a program since 1985 and the contributions from the gaming operations will enable 600 low-income households to receive heating assistance.

According to Mohawk Bingo Palace General Manager Leonard Oakes, Jr., "It is our pleasure at the Mohawk Bingo Palace to help in this endeavor to fight rising fuel costs that has been so much of a burden to many in the community."

Community members interested in receiving fuel assistance need to apply at the Tribe's LIHEAP Office, or by calling Sharon Thompson at (518) 358-2272 (ext. 212). Income verification and household composition need to be provided to determine eligibility, as well as name, home address, tribal enrollment number, and name of fuel vendor.

After eligibility is approved, a $600 benefit will be assigned and the designated fuel dealer will be notified. Direct payments will be made to the following tribally licensed home heating companies: Burn's Truckstop #9, Akwesasne Fuels, Agway/Suburban, Econo Fuels, Ameri Gas, Adirondack Energy, and MX/Vaincourt Fuels.

In presenting the Mohawk Bingo Palace's contribution, General Manager Leonard Oakes, Jr. acknowledged the support the gaming operations have received from their patrons in helping to make this year's home heating assistance possible.

Oakes said, "As a contributor to the Tribe's fuel assistance program, we at the Mohawk Bingo Palace would like to give a big 'Thank You' to our guests that come through our doors everyday. It is you that are the real contributors; without our valued guests this opportunity to give back to our community could not have happened."

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