The Seminole Tribe of Florida committed $1 million to relief efforts from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The Seminole Tribe, through its corporate umbrella Hard Rock International, donated the seven-figure sum earlier this week.
The tribe is also providing shelter at its Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa event center to people displaced by the back-to-back storms. Hard Rock Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen said they will provide meals and medical care at the facility.
“Opening our doors to displaced families in Tampa and providing financial is just the beginning of our ongoing commitment to the recovery efforts.”
The Seminoles are the largest gambling operator in Florida and one of the state’s largest employers. Through its gaming compact with the state, it has exclusivity over the Florida online sports betting market. Additionally, it’s the only operator allowed to spread Class III games like craps and roulette.
Thousands lost their homes
More than 100 people have lost their lives from the devasting hurricanes that swept through Florida and across the Southeastern US in the last month. Millions of residents were without power at one point, and thousands are still homeless. More than 1,000 people had to be rescued by emergency workers and the Florida National Guard.
The storms also impacted Florida’s casinos. As Hurricane Milton made its way through the state, several casinos closed their doors or canceled events.
The Seminole Tribe knew it needed to step up to provide relief, said Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr.
“The Seminole Tribe of Florida has always been committed to helping our neighbors in times of crisis. We’d like to thank Gov. Ron DeSantis for his partnership in uplifting our communities at this critical time. With the help of our dedicated teams across Florida, we are able to make a meaningful impact for those in need.”
Donation will go to two organizations
The $1 million donation will go to two organizations helping with hurricane relief: World Central Kitchen and the American Red Cross.
World Central Kitchen has been handing out meals to those affected by the hurricanes and providing meals to first responders. The organization also helps residents in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. It partners with local restaurants and food trucks and enlists volunteers.
The World Central Kitchen has turned the event center at Hard Rock Tampa into a makeshift mobile kitchen. The group has prepped more than 700 meals for those staying there. The Seminole Hard Rock team has also taken on some of the work, preparing and delivering more than 1,000 meals to shelters across the area.
Meanwhile, the American Red Cross has sent almost 2,000 workers to states impacted by the hurricanes, including roughly 700 helpers to Florida. The Red Cross has been providing meals, water and supplies.
Allen thanked the organizations for their crucial work to help those impacted by the storms.
“We are very grateful for the incredible work our partners at World Central Kitchen and American Red Cross do across the globe.”
Later this month, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood will host an invite-only check presentation to the organizations.
