Hundreds of elders and families received donations after Gila River closed its three properties temporarily to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
CHANDLER, Ariz. (March 19, 2020) – On Wednesday, March 18, Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. temporarily closed Gila River Hotels & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva due to the rapidly spreading Coronavirus (COVID-19). The decision came after heightened concerns for the health and safety of its team members and guests during the pandemic. The closure of all three properties will be in effect until the end of the month.
The day before the temporary closure, Gila River Hotels & Casinos received a delivery of $60,000 worth of perishable food items and made the decision to donate them to Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) elders and families. The Gila team worked around the clock on logistics to quickly expedite the deliveries.
The deliveries were executed in two phases: a dropoff of 20 pallets of water and 98 cases of toilet paper to GRIC’s Office of Emergency Management, followed by a donation of $60,000 worth of perishable food items to community residents within the seven districts located on the Gila River Indian Community.
“I am so proud of our team members for providing help to our community during this difficult time,” said Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Hotels & Casinos. “It has been an honor to watch everyone come together, support one another and most importantly, serve those in need.”
GRIC is an alliance of two tribes, the Akimel O’otham and Pee-Posh, also known as the Pima and Maricopa. Established in 1859, GRIC has the largest indigenous population in the Phoenix metropolitan area, with their borders expanding more than 600 square miles from Florence to Laveen.
Nearly 23,000 members of GRIC depend on the economic success of Gila River Hotels & Casinos. The enterprise provides hundreds of jobs to community members, and revenue from all three properties help to fund infrastructure improvements, housing development, emergency first responder services, education, health and wellness programs and social services.
For updates on when Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva will reopen, visit PlayAtGila.com.