Albany Helping Hands homeless shelter was one of several mid-valley organizations to receive a donation from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund this week.

Fifty-eight organizations shared $173,862.31 in contributions when checks were presented at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. This included $4,000 for Helping Hands to buy a greenhouse and $5,000 for the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation to assist with or cover the $20 fee for Lincoln County residents to stay at the Mario Pastega House.

Additional mid-valley awards:

• $4,3000 to the Stayton Public Library Foundation for furnishings and equipment for a new children's area.

• $4,816 for Corvallis' CASA-Voices for Children to recruit new volunteers, provide pre-service training and monthly in-service trainings, and publish a quarterly newsletter.

• $3,850 to Strengthening Rural Families of Philomath to fund two portable OPTEC 5000 Series vision screeners and an OPTEC 5000 Series screener.

The Siletz Tribe has honored its tradition of sharing within the community by distributing more than $6.2 million through the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and other tribal resources. Chinook Winds has donated more than $1.25 million in cash and fundraising items since it opened in 1995. The casino also provides in-kind donations of convention space for various fundraisers as well as technical support, advertising and manpower for many events.

The next deadline to submit funding applications is June 13. Applications and requirements are available at www.ctsi.nsn.us/Charitable_Contributions.html; from Kelley Ellis at (800) 922-1399, ext. 1227; or by mailing Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549.