Volunteers earn grants and award them to their favorite causes
Staff Report
Team Chumash, a branch of Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, is the employee volunteer program for Chumash Enterprises. The program rewards team members for their volunteerism by awarding them with $500 All-Star grants from the foundation to be donated to a nonprofit of their choice. Since its inception in 2015, Team Chumash volunteers have earned and awarded over $75,000 in All-Star grants for their favorite causes.
Most recently five team members identified athletic programs at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School to receive a combined donation of $2,500 to support Volleyball Boosters, Football Boosters and Girls Golf.
Candia Flynn, Social Media Specialist
$500 grant to Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Volleyball Boosters
“My daughter is an athlete at SYVUHS and, with COVID, they haven’t been able to play sports. I hope this donation will help with funding once they can play sports again. ”
Clint Johnson, Director of Security
$500 grant to Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Girls Golf
“This is my first year supporting this sport. When my daughter joined the team her freshman year, the girl’s golf program was well supported. Due to COVID, their normal fundraising programs have not been allowed. ”
Sean Foy, Table Games Supervisor
$500 grant to Santa Ynez Football Boosters
“I continually enjoy giving back to the program that helped me so much when I was that age.”
Scott Gregg, Table Games Shift Manager
$500 grant to Santa Ynez Football Boosters
“As a parent of a third-year player, this organization helps with financing the high school football program. Being alumni, I value the lessons learned in football. These are good hard-learned lessons that translate to off-the-field experiences. ”
Doug Piligian, Senior Project Manager, Casino Operations
$500 grant to Santa Ynez Football Boosters
“The Football Boosters are the primary source of funding for the Santa Ynez High School Football Program. The boosters make a difference by eliminating the cost to participate so that every student who wants to be a part of the team can do so without financial burden. Having been involved in football in the valley for over 20 years, I have seen how the sport teaches the players teamwork, leadership, and self-discipline. Valuable skills that will help them throughout their life. ”
