The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation has generously donated $85,000 to the Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation. The funding will cover half of the refurbishment costs of the Santa Ynez High School tennis courts.
“The tennis courts were in such disrepair that they were becoming dangerous,” said Frank Kelsey, chairman for the Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation. “There have been a few projects that Youth Rec and the Chumash Foundation have come together with matching funding. It’s been a great partnership.”
In existence since 1955, the Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation organization raises money through the annual Elks Queen campaign and has provided funding for a large majority of the recreational fields located in the Santa Ynez Valley including the Sunny Fields Park and Pony League Fields. Youth Rec is also responsible for the original tennis courts at the high school that were built more than 25 years ago.
“We know that two organizations such as the Youth Rec and Chumash Foundation can do good things for this community,” said Vincent Armenta, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “By partnering forces and funding with Youth Rec we are proving that collectively two organizations can to do great things to enhance our community. The high school tennis courts project is a testament to that.”
Giving back to the community has always been a tradition of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Today, the Santa Ynez Chumash tribe continues that tradition by donating to hundreds of local groups, organizations and schools in the community. To find out more about the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation and its giving programs, visit www.santaynezchumash.org