Red Lake Bingo Donates $3,202 to Red Lake Nation Toy Drive

RED LAKE - On Monday, December 14, 2015, Seven Clans Casino Bingo presented a $3,202.00 check to Red Lake Tribal Chairman Darrell Seki Sr. to go for use by the Red Lake Nation Toy Drive.

According to Red Lake Casino Manager Mike Cobenais, their bingo raised the money throughout the year specifically for the purpose of the Toy Drive.

Robert Bob Erle, Red Lake Bingo Manager. Dan Charnoski, Bingo Supervisor and Red Lake Casino Manager Mike Cobenais were on hand for the presentation to Chairman Seki.

Over 2000 kids on the Red Lake Indian Reservation will receive gifts because of Red Lake Nation's Toy Drive.

The US Military out of the Twin Cities used to donate toys up to Red Lake for Christmas, but due to poor donations, they were unable to provide toys outside the metro area.

Then Red Lake Tribal Treasurer Darrell G. Seki, Sr. in 2010, his staff, and other tribal headquarters staff quickly took charge to find toys for the kids at Red Lake that year, and every year since.

They receive donations from vendors who do business with the tribe, employees working on the reservation, fundraisers by tribal and government programs,

According to a press release, volunteer teams go out and buy toys with the cash donations for both boys and girls and according to age groups; 0 to 3, 4 to 8, 9 to 13, and 14 to 17. They buy a variety of toys from a variety of stores who either donated to the cause, or communities where tribal members live, including Park Rapids and Thief River Falls.

The Red Lake Nation owns casinos in three locations across northern Minnesota: Red Lake, Thief River Falls and Warroad. Each casino bears the name Seven Clans.

The Red Lake Casino was initially located within the community of Red Lake, and was the first venture into the world of gaming. Eventually, the Tribe decided to construct a new casino on the southern border of the reservation, along Highway 89 - approximately 30 miles north of Bemidji.

The casino features a hotel with a wide selection of suites, a pool and an event center. The gaming floor offers a variety of slot machines, Vegas-style blackjack and video keno machines. Bingo was added shortly after the new casino opened. Special events are planned at regular intervals. The event center hosts concerts, comedians and other special events and conferences. Local guides are available to fish area lakes.