The donations are part of the Tribe’s annual holiday giving program supporting families facing financial hardship and assisting military service members during the Thanksgiving season.
COACHELLA, Calif. – Nov. 18, 2025 – As local food banks and shelters report increased demand this year, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians is expanding its holiday giving efforts, donating 600 turkeys and 400 $50 gift cards to support families and military service members across the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin ahead of Thanksgiving.
The Tribe donated 300 turkeys to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, which will distribute a portion of them on Thursday, November 20, 2025, beginning at 7:00 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis (one per family) at 47-470 Van Buren Street, Indio. The remaining turkeys will be served during the Mission’s Thanksgiving holiday meals for individuals and families experiencing hardship.
Another 300 turkeys were donated to the Ready4Reading Book Club, which will host its holiday turkey distribution event on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at Wing-n-It, 72317 29 Palms Highway in Twentynine Palms.
Continuing their support for military families, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians also donated 400 gift cards valued at $50 each to the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) for distribution to Marines and military families serving at the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. This effort reflects the Tribe’s on-going commitment to supporting service members and military families in the community.
“This year has been especially challenging, with more people turning to food banks and shelters for support,” said Chairman Darrell Mike of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. “The Tribe is committed to helping our neighbors who are struggling and ensuring everyone can share in the warmth and comfort of the holiday season. Supporting our community and our service members is an important part of who we are.”
The Tribe’s annual turkey donations and holiday giving efforts reflect a long-standing commitment to uplifting families, strengthening essential community services, and supporting local military personnel.
About Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians and Business Enterprises
Spotlight 29 Casino, Tortoise Rock Casino, Shelee’s Travel Center, Red Falcon and 29 Brews are wholly owned business operations of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, a Chemehuevi people whose traditional territory includes parts of California, Utah, Arizona, and Southern Nevada. In 1867, a Clan of Chemehuevi settled at the Oasis of Mara. The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians are their descendants. Today, the Tribe’s lands consist of one Reservation separated by the Joshua Tree National Park over two counties from Coachella, CA to Twentynine Palms, CA. The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians will continue to focus on providing opportunities of growth and prosperity for the Tribe’s future generations. For more information about the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, its culture, heritage, and traditions, visit 29palmstribe.org