Donations Reach Charities in Allegan, Barry, Kalamazoo, Kent and Ottawa Counties
 

(Bradley, Mich.) – Today, the Gun Lake Tribe (Tribe) announced holiday season donations to several
West Michigan charities. The tribal government made monetary donations that totaled $20,000 to
charitable organizations. In addition, employees of the tribal government independently held donation
drives to collect food and clothing items that were donated to two additional charitable organizations
located in Grand Rapids and Allegan County.

“During this holiday season we wanted to help local charities achieve their mission of making lives
better for those less fortunate,” said Bob Peters, Chairman of the Gun Lake Tribe. “These seven West
Michigan charities are truly deserving of the support provided by the Tribe and its employees.”
The following West Michigan charities each received a monetary donation of $4,000 from the tribal
government:

• Sylvia’s Place (Allegan County): provides emergency assistance to women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
• Manna’s Market (Barry County): provides food, baby items and clothes for those in need.
• Open Doors (Kalamazoo County): offers programs for homeless men and women, and apartments for low-wage working individuals and families.
• West Michigan Veteran Assistance Program (Kent County): helps homeless and nearly homeless veterans and their families with food, housing, financial/medical needs, fuel cards/bus passes and other emergent needs.
• Nestlings Diaper Bank (Ottawa County): provides diapers and wipes for low income families.

The Tribe has over 120 governmental employees who volunteered time and contributed donations to
collect over 1,782 food items for the Allegan County Food Pantry Collaborative, which supports 15
food pantries throughout the county.

The tribal government employees also collected toy items that were donated to the Ronald
McDonald House in Grand Rapids to fulfill Christmas wish lists of needy children.

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About Gun Lake Tribe
The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) has a rich history in West Michigan and a
close connection to the land. The Bradley Indian Mission, located near Wayland, is the historic residential and cultural
center point of the tribal community. The Tribe’s ancestors, and political predecessors, signed treaties with the United
States government dating back to 1795. The Tribe was re-affirmed to federal recognition in 1999. For more information
about the Tribe visit https://gunlaketribe-nsn.gov/.