The Gun Lake Tribe of Potawatomis made donations totaling $35,000 to the West Michigan and Southwest Michigan chapters.American Red Cross this week. 

The donations were made in honor of Gun Lake tribal citizens who have died in the past year. Retired Chairman DK Sprague, who has volunteered with the American Red Cross for decades, lost his daughter, Leah Sprague-Fodor, in September and suggested that donations be made in her honor, and in honor of three other citizens who walked on this year.

“This is a bittersweet occasion,” remarked the Gun Lake Tribe’s Chairman, Scott Sprague. “While we’re honored to donate these funds to such a worthy cause, we’re still mourning the loss of our brothers and sisters this year. We’re glad we could find such a meaningful way to honor their memory.”

Sprague said he  is looking forward to seeing the funds used for upgrades to the Red Cross’s infrastructure, and other resources that help them perform the work they do for many people in need.

“We’re so thankful for the generosity of organizations like yours,” commented Mike Mitchell, executive director of the West Michigan American Red Cross. “The Red Cross does not receive government funds and relies mainly on donations such as this to provide emergency and disaster relief both locally and abroad.”

This week’s Red Cross donations were made in addition to donations the Gun Lake Casino made for hurricane relief efforts in Texas and Florida.