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POKAGON BAND DONATES MORE THAN $24,000 FROM ITS ANNUAL VETERANS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

POKAGON BAND DONATES MORE THAN $24,000 FROM ITS ANNUAL VETERANS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is pleased to announce that it raised $24,125.39 to the Pokagon Potawatomi Veterans Society Emergency Relief Fund using proceeds from its 16th Annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament held on Friday, May 22 at Hampshire Country Club in Dowagiac.  The Pokagon Potawatomi Veterans Society Military Emergency Relief Fund supports Pokagon Citizen Veterans, also referred to as “Pokagon Bodwéwadmik Ogitchedaw,” who are both active duty and retired military.  The tournament featured a four-person scramble format along with food, drinks and prizes that were awarded in several categories. 

Commenting on the success of the tournament, Tyler Dodson, Chairman of the Pokagon Bodwéwadmik

Ogitchedaw Board said, “We are very pleased to have completed another successful Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament to help support our Pokagon Bodwéwadmik Ogitchedaw.  In total we had more than 20 sponsors for the pre-tournament dinner and golf tournament.  Through their generous support, we are proud to donate $24,125.39 to the Pokagon Potawatomi Veterans Society Emergency Relief Fund.  Currently the Pokagon Band has 68 Ogitchedaw and their needs can range from temporary financial assistance for things like healthcare and medical bills to utility bills, and vehicle and home repairs.” 

Matthew Wesaw, Tribal Council Chairman for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi added, “We are very grateful for all the donors, sponsors, participants as well as our hard-working team members who came together to support our Pokagon Bodwéwadmik Ogitchedaw and the 16th edition of our Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament.  If it wasn’t for the valiant efforts of these veteran heroes, the world would be a much different place today and I am very grateful for their sacrifices.  The funds raised from this year’s tournament will not only serve to demonstrate our appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have made, but also provide much needed support to our veterans that need assistance.” 

Funds raised for the Pokagon Potawatomi Veterans Society Military Emergency Relief Fund are distributed by the Pokagon Bodwéwadmik Ogitchedaw Board. 

Copper Sponsors for the tournament included the following companies and individuals:

  • AGS
  • Ainsworth Game Technology
  • Bodwé Professional Services Group/Seven Generations A+ E
  • Chi Ishobak, Inc.
  • D.A. Dodd
  • Dallmeier Electronic USA
  • Ecolab
  • Fifth Third Bank
  • Four Winds Casinos
  • IGT – East Coast
  • Koontz-Wagner
  • Kuert Concrete LLC/IMI Irving Materials
  • LiUNA Local 355
  • Market Street Group
  • Mno-Bmadsen
  • Ryan Fireprotection, Inc.
  • SERVPro
  • Sysco
  • Wightman Associates
  • Wildman Uniform

About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994.  The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care, and cultural preservation for its more than 6,400 citizens.  The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana.  Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind.  In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011, Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013 and Four Winds South Bend in 2018.  The Pokagon Band operates a variety of non-gaming businesses through its investment enterprises, Mno-Bmadsen and the Pokagon Development Authority.  More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov, www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com.