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Education has always been important to the Cherokee people

For Immediate Release

April 25, 2008
Contact: Amanda Clinton (918) 384-6944
Or Kelli Bruer (918) 384-7974
www.CherokeeCasino.com

Cherokee Casino donates supplies to local schools

CLAREMORE, Okla. - Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs and Cherokee Casino Resort recently donated school supplies to Sequoyah-Claremore Elementary, Verdigris Elementary and Justus-Tiawah Elementary in response to the recent state education budget cuts. Cherokee Nation Enterprises, which operates Cherokee Casinos, reached out to local schools requesting a list of needed supplies to finish out the school year. The supplies were donated and collected by casino employees.

“The teachers and I are ecstatic,” said Lisa Trent, principal of Sequoyah-Claremore Elementary. “This paper is like gold to us! We can’t thank Cherokee Nation Enterprises enough to take the time to think about our school. This will honestly help us make it through the rest of the year.”

Cherokee Casino employees donated much-needed school supplies to Verdigris Elementary, such as crayons, markers, construction paper, pencils and paint, at the school’s request. The team also delivered nearly 20 boxes of copy paper to Sequoyah-Claremore Elementary and Justus-Tiawah Elementary. The copy paper was donated by Cherokee Nation Distributors, Admiral Express, Duke’s Office Supply and Cherokee Data.

“Cherokee Casinos, thank you so very much. What a wonderful contribution to the school’s efforts. The students and teachers will be thrilled,” said Jim Anderson, principal of Verdigris Elementary.

As a result of this project, Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs has officially adopted Justus-Tiawah schools. Casino and race track employees will help throughout the school year by providing school supplies, volunteering for school events and supporting the school’s parent/teacher organization. Many of the employees at Will Rogers Downs have children attending Justus-Tiawah schools.

“No company has ever asked to help us out, and we are truly very thankful,” said David Garroutte, superintendent of Justus-Tiawah schools. “We are growing in size each year, and we appreciate the support from our community.”

Cherokee Casino Resort hopes to continue to assist local schools with supplies as needed.

“Our employees are great at volunteering and donating, especially when it comes to kids. We have a great team here at Cherokee Casino, and I’m proud of their involvement outside of the casino,” said David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Enterprises, which operates Cherokee Casinos.

Other area schools that received donations include J.W. Sam Elementary and Cherokee Elementary, both in Catoosa.

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