The Tribe’s 37^th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach gave 15,000 turkeys to 115 nonprofit organizations to provide holiday meals to families, seniors and veterans in need.

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gave away 15,000 free turkeys this week to non-profit groups, churches and charities across the Inland Empire and Southern California as part of its 37^th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach program.

The turkeys donated this year will provide nearly 300,000 holiday meals to families, seniors and veterans in need from the Coachella Valley to Los Angeles. Over the course of the program’s history, Morongo has given away almost 200,000 turkeys, which have helped provide an estimated 3.8 million holiday meals.

“Morongo is a giving tribe, and our annual Thanksgiving Outreach program is a reflection of our tribe’s core values to help others,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “These are challenging times, and we are committed to supporting those in our communities who are struggling so that they can enjoy the holiday with friends and loved ones.”

Tribal members and volunteers gathered at the Morongo Community Center for three days starting on Nov. 13 to distribute the 15,000 Thanksgiving turkeys to 115 nonprofit organizations, including food pantries, churches, senior centers, schools and veteran groups from across Southern California. Groups receiving turkeys hailed from Banning, Beaumont, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Redlands, Los Angeles, and other communities.

The groups will use the turkeys to provide hot holiday meals to those in need or will distribute the birds in holiday meal gift baskets with additional side dishes to help feed thousands of people who otherwise would not have been able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner this year.

The Janet Goeske Foundation in Riverside received 200 turkeys to help feed senior citizens this holiday.

“Morongo’s gift of 300 free holiday turkeys is a blessing that exemplifies the Tribe’s dedication to the community,” said Dana Johnson, Director of Family Services of The Desert in Desert Hot Springs. “Thanks to Morongo’s generosity, our organization can help those in need experience the warmth and togetherness of the holiday.”

“Morongo’s generosity brightens the season for our senior community, ensuring they can enjoy special and nourishing meals this holiday season,” said Danielle Nelson, Executive Director of Janet Goeske Foundation in Riverside. “Morongo’s commitment to enriching the lives of our seniors is truly heartwarming.”

“Morongo’s unwavering generosity enriches the lives of our military families, especially during the Thanksgiving holiday when some veterans struggle,” said Todd Sieja, President and CEO of the Western Eagle Foundation in Temecula. “Year after year, Morongo’s support ensures that our veterans can share a delightful Thanksgiving feast with their friends and loved ones.”

Other non-profit groups who received turkeys included the Los Angeles Mission, Victory Outreach in Banning, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Food Pantry in Desert Hot Springs, and Carol’s Kitchen in Beaumont, among others.

Thousands of veterans and military families have benefitted from the tribe’s Thanksgiving Outreach program with turkeys donated to the VFW Post 1956 in Menifee and the Ysmael Villegas Memorial VFW Post 1984 in Riverside.

To receive turkeys, participating groups submitted applications to the Tribe and were notified over the summer that they had been selected. For organizations interested in receiving turkeys next Thanksgiving, applications for next year are due in Spring 2024.

The popular tournament held at the championship Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon has provided more than $2.75 million to local non-profits over the past 27 years.

BEAUMONT, Calif.  – Hundreds of golfers from across Southern California took to the fairways at the 27^th Annual Morongo Charity Golf Tournament to raise money for local youth, a historic Native American museum and a local animal shelter.

Held on Monday, October 16 at the beautiful Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon, the tournament raised $100,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass and $50,000 for the Malki Museum, the oldest nonprofit museum founded by Native Americans on a California Indian reservation. For the second year in a row, the annual tournament kicked off with helicopter ball-drop raffle which also raised thousands of dollars for the Banning Animal Shelter, operated by ARE Animal Rescue.

“From creating positive pathways local youth and families, to preserving the rich cultural history of local tribes, to finding loving homes for 3,000 pets every year, the non-profits benefiting from this year’s Morongo Charity Golf Tournament each provide vital services to the Pass,” said Morongo Tribal Vice Chair James Silva, co-chair of the tournament. “Combined, the work of Boys & Girls Clubs, Malki Museum and Banning Animal Shelter strengthen our region’s future while preserving our past.” 

Megan Grisham, interim chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, thanked Morongo for its ongoing support, saying “We are genuinely grateful to Morongo for their generosity, which fuels our mission and empowers us to create even greater positive change in the lives of those we serve.”

The tournament was held at beautiful, 36-hole Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon, the local home of the Southern California PGA and host to the annual IOA Championship on the Epson Tour, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA.

“Morongo remains committed to supporting community organizations that enhance the quality of life in the Pass,” said Morongo Tribal Council Member Brian Lugo, a co-chair of the tournament. “Once again this year, we are grateful to the players and sponsors whose contributions led to the tremendous success of our 27th annual Charity Golf Tournament.”

Since 1997, the Morongo Charity Golf Tournament has raised over $2.75 million to support dozens of local nonprofits that serve children, schools, veterans, and hospitals across the region.

About the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon

Set against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain views, the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon offers 36 world-class holes, state-of-the-art practice facilities, outstanding amenities, and professional, personalized customer service. Ranked among the best courses in Southern California, Tukwet Canyon remains the regional home for the Southern California PGA, and host to the SCPGA Professional Championship. Since 2015, Tukwet Canyon has hosted the Epson Tour, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA.