BY ALEX PIAZZA
Traverse City -- A Benzie County family was left without food, clothing and shelter after fire destroyed their home.
The family of five watched last month as flames engulfed their Beulah home.
But the American Red Cross of Northwest Michigan housed them in a hotel for three nights with money from its local disaster relief fund. Relief coffers will increase by more than $17,000 through a recent grant from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
"During these tough economic times, funding like this is critical for us to provide services throughout the community," said Kevin Bavers, executive director of the local American Red Cross.
Bavers said the money also can be used to train volunteers and purchase items, like toiletries, clothes and food for local families when tragedy strikes.
Tribal council members distributed about $950,000 of gambling revenue from slot machines last week to nearly 50 local units of government and other agencies. The band pays two percent of its slot machine revenues in lieu of state sales taxes.
"We recognize the economic recession in the state and in the region ... but we also recognize there are families in need," said Tribal Chairman Derek Bailey. "We're meeting the needs of the people of northern Michigan."
The band received nearly 90 grant applications, worth about $2.3 million. But tribal council members award grants to groups that exhibit the band's ideals, including environmental preservation.
"The Grand Traverse Band feels so strongly about helping to kind of restore those habitat areas for fish and wildlife," said Amy Beyer, director of the Conservation Resource Alliance in Traverse City.
The organization received a $35,000 grant that Beyer said will be used to protect water quality and native fish species.
A portion of the funding could be used to replace a bridge along Burnt Mill Road over the Platte River. The faulty structure creates excess sediment in the river, which then harms fish habitat, she said.
And as cold temperatures continue to freeze northwest Michigan, heating bills increase for many locals.
The Father Fred Foundation in Traverse City received a $75,000 grant from the band to benefit its utility shut-off program.
"The band is tuned into the tremendous need to prevent utility shut-offs," said Martie Manty, Father Fred executive director.
The foundation experienced a 22 percent increase in clients who seek assistance with their utility bills.
"Every day, people are coming in with bills over a thousand dollars," she said.
