(Eagle Mountain Casino, Porterville, Ca 93257) – The People’s Casino honored veterans and the community with a $200,000 donation to Central Valley Honor Flight in 2019, and now that donation is taking flight in 2022.
Central Valley Honor Flight is a nonprofit that gives Veterans the opportunity to visit memorials in Washington DC that honor those who served by providing the service at no cost to the Veterans. The nonprofit, founded in 2013, operates solely on the community’s donations, small businesses, and service clubs across the Valley from Modesto to Porterville. Unfortunately, due to the recent pandemic, Central Valley Honor Flight has not been able to send veterans to their respective memorials since 2019, but with updated health and safety standards, they can send their first group of 70 Vietnam veterans and their guardians back to Washington in September of this year.
The People’s Casino in 2019 donated $200,000 to Central Valley Honor Flight to support their mission and give back to those that have already given so much. Thanks to the generosity of the casino the Honor Flight will be able to send 70 Vietnam veterans, their guardians, and a full medical team to Washington, D.C, this September to visit the Vietnam memorial. Bill Goodreau, Bus Captain and Troop Leader for Central Valley Honor Flight, as well as a Vietnam veteran himself, was extremely grateful for the donation from Eagle Mountain Casino. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the check that they presented to us, I was expecting $20,000, but instead, it said $200,000,” he stated. Bill went on to discuss how much it costs to take veterans on these flights, “The Honor Flight commandeers an Allegiant plane for the trip, plus the lodging that we get for each veteran, the cost of the entire flight is $200,000, with Eagle Mountain’s donation we are going to be able to cover our entire September all Vietnam veterans flight” Bill said.
Central Valley Honor Flight strives to be a pillar in the community, advocating for veterans and bringing them a sense of accomplishment, which in part happens thanks to donations like the one from Eagle Mountain Casino. Paul Loeffler, the President of Central Valley Honor Flight also spoke about how the people of the Valley have made this experience possible “The generous people of the Valley have made this experience possible for 1,333 veterans from our area. We’re grateful that 2022 will finally be the year we can put this remarkable gift from Eagle Mountain to use as we return to the post-Covid skies with our precious cargo, our veterans” he said. Loeffler went on to explain what this specific donation meant to the Honor Flight, “Not only is this the largest one-time donation we’ve received, we know Eagle Mountain’s example of generosity is one that other donors, large and small, will follow. With over 600 veterans on our waiting list, our Central Valley honor Flight mission will continue for years to come. Thanks to Eagle Mountain and everyone else who has helped show our veterans this priceless reflection of respect and gratitude for their service and sacrifice.”
Currently, Eagle Mountain Casino, is located 17 miles east of Porterville, and is a full-service casino owned and operated by the Tule River Tribe. Guests must be 18 years of age to enter. The casino is open 24/7. The Grizzly Food court is open 24/7 and the River Steakhouse is open Friday – Sunday from 5pm – 10pm. Eagle Mountain Casino is a short drive from Bakersfield or Visalia. Bus service from Bakersfield is suspended until further notice due to Covid.
The new casino property is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2022, off Highway 65 in Porterville, CA next to the Porterville Fair Grounds. The new property will double in size growing to over 100,000 square feet, featuring new dining options, 1750 slot machines, 20 table games, and a state-of-the-art event center.
