MORONGO CASINO, RESORT & SPA (Jan. 7, 2019) – Morongo tribal leaders and a host of dignitaries gathered on Monday to break ground on a breathtaking new renovation and expansion project that will transform the heart of the AAA Four-Diamond Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa.

With ceremonial shovels of dirt, Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin and members of the Morongo Tribal Council marked the milestone flanked by retiring Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, Riverside County Supervisor-elect Jeff Hewitt and elected and business leaders from the cities of Banning and Beaumont.

“Morongo has come a long way from the tiny bingo hall we operated on the reservation back in the 1980s,” said Chairman Martin. “Today, we pen a new chapter in our story as we continue to nurture new opportunities for our people, our community and our region. Today, we take a step toward generating another 425 new full-time jobs to add to the more than 2,500 jobs that Morongo already provides.”

Set to be finished in 2020, elements of the expansion and renovation project include:

• An elegantly designed 65,000-square-foot expansion which will increase Morongo’s existing gaming floor by more than 30 percent, allowing for the addition of 800 new slots, new table games and new bar, lounge, and other guest amenities.
• Renovation of the casino’s gaming floor and amenities, and renovation and replacement of first-floor restaurants to elevate the dining offerings.
• Development of a free valet parking structure with 750 spaces, including premier parking and charging stations for more than 70 electric vehicles.

The project will also create more than 1,000 construction jobs.

“This beautiful new expansion is going to help power the economy for our region for many years to come as it will bring hundreds of new jobs and millions of dollars in new economic activity,” said Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley. “This project is the latest example of how Morongo continues to help move our region forward.”

Chairman Martin noted that two of the construction partners are Native American-owned companies, Banning-based Sage Mountain Construction and Hal Hays Construction, ranked as the 7th Top Native American-Owned Business in the U.S. by DiversityBusiness.com. Other construction partners include Yates Moorefield LLC.

“We’ve put together a top-notch construction team that brings together the best in the business,” Chairman Martin said.

The expansion and renovations were designed by Bergman Walls & Associates and Kenneth Ussenko Design, who have created palaces for royalty in Qatar and luxury resorts in Belize, Las Vegas and across the globe.

“At Morongo, our goal is always to exceed the expectations of our guests by offering an unmatched gaming and luxury resort experience,” said John James, Chief Operating Officer of the Morongo Casino. “With this exciting renovation and expansion, we are upping the ante to ensure that we stay true to that principle.”

About the Morongo Band of Mission Indians

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located in Cabazon, CA. As a sovereign nation, the Morongo government establishes tribal policy and operates numerous departments that provide fire, public safety, environmental, educational, cultural, healthcare and public works services to its tribal members and residents of the 36,000-acre Morongo Indian Reservation, set at the foot of the beautiful San Gorgonio and San Jacinto mountains. Morongo employs more than 2,500 people and generates nearly $3 billion in regional economic activity across a diverse portfolio of business enterprises in gaming, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, tourism, dining and recreation. The tribe owns and operates the 27-story Morongo Casino Resort & Spa – the tallest building in Riverside County.

About the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa

The 4-Diamond Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa is located along the 10 Freeway near Palm Springs, Calif.  Owned and operated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa offers the hottest slots and an array of table and high-limit gaming at one of the largest tribal gaming centers in the United States. The towering 27-story resort features five top-rated restaurants, a stunning swimming pool with private cabanas, a world-class spa, popular nightclub, legendary live entertainment and, nearby, the 36-hole championship Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon. For more information, visitmorongocasinoresort.com.

Tribe gives $100,000 for annual Christmas Cheer All Year shopping spree to benefit hundreds of disadvantaged children from across Inland Southern California.

Laughter and excitement filled the air as more than 3,000 disadvantaged children from across Inland Southern California took part in the annual Christmas Cheer All YearShopping Spree sponsored by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians on Monday, Dec. 17.

Throughout the morning, smiling children emerged from the Target Store in Rancho Cucamonga, CA happily clutching superhero action figures, dolls, stuffed animals, Lego sets, soccer balls, books, board games and other toys that they picked themselves during the three-hour shopping spree.

“The Morongo Band of Mission Indians is excited to be partnering once again with Christmas Cheer All Year to brighten the holidays for thousands of childrenin need,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “For some of these children, this will be the only present they receive this holiday. We really enjoy helping put smiles on all these happy young faces.”

Morongo served as title sponsor for the annual shopping spree for a ninth year, donating $100,000 to the nonprofit Christmas Cheer All Year organization. Children from across the Inland Empire, including more than 600 youth from Banning, Beaumont and Cabazon benefited from the program.

“It means a lot,” Joshua Dominguez, 9, of Beaumont said of being able to take part in the shopping spree. “I am really happy that they do this for us.”

Nearby, a beaming 7-year-old Savannah Buzoff of Cabazon sat cross-legged in a shopping cart as she eyed the brightly packaged L.O.L. Surprise dolls she was buying. “I Just love LOL dolls,” she proclaimed, her arms stretched skyward. “You can dress them up different ways and play with them.”

Her mother, Shannon Linton, said the shopping spree would help her daughter enjoy the holidays. “It’s amazing. She has really been looking forward to getting this toy for Christmas, and now she can.” 

Since 2010, Morongo has donated $850,000 to the annual shopping sprees organized by Rick Lozano, founder of Christmas Cheer All Year and a longtime Fox 11 News journalist.

“Every year, we can count on the generosity of the Morongo tribe to help bring joy to children and families in need during the holidays,” said Lozano, who credits Morongo with raising over $1 million for the non-profit group through direct donations and support of an annual golf tournament fundraiser.  

As in past years, dozens of children in protective care with the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services were involved in the shopping spree.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians contributes more than $1 million annually to support communities and nonprofits across Southern California.
CaptionsPhoto 3: Children present a $100,000 check from Morongo to support the Christmas Cheer All Year Shopping Spree.Photo 2: 5-year-old Daniel Del Rio of Banning displays a book he purchased at the Morongo-sponsored Christmas Cheer All Year Shopping Spree.Photo 4: Yetta Riddle, 9, of Banning hunts for a toy at the Morongo-sponsored Christmas Cheer All Year Shopping Spree.Photo 5:  13-year-old Emiley Walker (left) and Rheanna Lara, 10, both of Banning,  take part in the annual Christmas Cheer All Year Shopping Spree sponsored by Morongo.

The tribe gave out 10,000 turkeys this week to help feed those in need as part of 33^rd Annual Morongo Thanksgiving Outreach Program.

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION — The Morongo Band of Mission Indians in Cabazon, CA. distributed 10,000 free turkeys this week that will provide an estimated 150,000 Thanksgiving meals to families, seniors and veterans in need across Southern California.

With this year’s donation, Morongo’s annual Thanksgiving Outreach program has provided more than 2.5 million holiday meals to the less fortunate since the program was formally launched by the tribe 33 years ago.

“At Morongo, giving is a part of who we are, and that will never change,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “We feel fortunate to be able to help provide holiday meals and comfort to those in need across Southern California.”

On Nov. 13 and Nov. 14, dozens of tribal members and volunteers gathered at the Morongo Community Center to distribute the Thanksgiving turkeys to 99 nonprofit organizations such as churches, food pantries, schools, veteran groups and homeless shelters from across Southern California. Groups receiving turkeys hailed from Banning, Beaumont, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Coachella, 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 food baskets with all the fixings to help feed thousands of people who would otherwise not be able to afford and enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner.

Non-profit groups receiving turkeys ranged from the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in Indio to the Los Angeles Rescue Mission, the Armed Services YMCA in Twentynine Palms, Carol’s Kitchen in Calimesa, Martha’s Village in Indio, the Kansas Avenue Resource Center in Riverside, and many others.

“Every year, Morongo steps up to help our organization provide hot meals and hope to thousands of people across the Coachella Valley, and we are deeply grateful for the tribe’s continued generosity,” said Darla Burkett, executive director of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, which received 400 turkeys from the tribe.

Hundreds of veterans and military families benefitted from the tribe’s Thanksgiving Outreach program, which provided more than 425 turkeys this year to local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other military support groups.

“Thanks to Morongo, military families who have sacrificed so much in serving our nation will enjoy a holiday meal with their loved ones and friends,” said Todd Sieja, president of the Western Eagle Foundation in Temecula.

The Los Angeles Mission received 200 birds to help feed the homeless this holiday. Herb Smith, president of the Los Angeles Mission, said the Morongo donation will help feed those on Skid Row in Los Angeles.

“The Morongo Band of Mission Indians continues to bless the poor and homeless men, women and children we serve,” Smith said. “We are honored to be partnering with Morongo once again to provide food and care this Thanksgiving.” 

To receive turkeys, participating groups submitted applications to the tribe and were notified over the summer that they had been selected. Applications are typically due in March.