KOAM TV 7 Joplin and PittsburgTornado response earns Downstream Casino and chairman a national award

Tornado response earns Downstream Casino and chairman a national award

News release issued by Downstream Casino Resort

(Jan. 25, 2012) -- Chairman John L. Berrey and Downstream Casino Resort have been named the Tribal Enterprise of the Year by the National Center for American Indian EnterpriseDevelopment (NCAIED), which cited Berrey's leadership and Downstream's community service to Joplin following the May 2011 tornado disaster. 

The award is one of a handful of annual awards that will be recognized at the 26th annualReservation Economic Summit (RES 2012), to be held February 27 through March 1 at theMandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The NCAIED selects RES honorees for their commitment to economic and enterprise development within their respective communities.

"John Berrey, Chairman of the Quapaw Tribe, which operates the Downstream Casino Resort,will receive the Tribal Enterprise of the Year Award for demonstrating altruism and providing a positive impact for the tribe's efforts to assist the Joplin, Missouri community in the aftermath of tornado devastation," the NCAIED said a news release.

The NCAIED's annual Reservation Economic Summit is the oldest and largest conference that focuses on business and economic development in Indian Country. Tribes from all corners of the country are represented each year.  

"This is humbling, to put it mildly," Chairman Berrey, of Sperry, Okla., said, "because there are thousands of real heroes who stepped up for Joplin after the tornado disaster. I feel like we only did what we were supposed to do for our community, and helping is its own reward."

The Quapaw Tribe's Fire & Emergency Service Team, based at Downstream and Quapaw, Okla.,was among the first responders, just minutes after the storm. Downstream then donated:

• temporary storm shelter;
• hotel rooms for storm survivors, relief workers and 20 rooms for two weeks for the American Red Cross;
• meals at casino restaurants for victims and relief workers, thousands of hot meals and sandwiches delivered to the Joplin Emergency Command Center and to workers in the disaster zone;
• clothing, coats, and household items for hundreds of families who lost everything in the disaster;
• direct financial assistance to victims and a variety of fund-raising sponsorships.

Downstream is still involved in a variety of tornado recovery efforts. The resort's total giving in Joplin storm relief and fund-raising exceeds $300,000, but that does not include tens of thousands of paid and volunteered team-member hours.

"We actually didn't want to talk about our role or seek any recognition. To do so seemed so pointless," Berrey added. "But, now, receiving this award - I'm very proud of all our team members and the whole Joplin community. This award is for all of you."

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