Yuba River Endowment Donates $30,000 to TIP
Jul 08, 2022 12:00AM ● By Smart Marketing and Public Affairs News Release
From left to right: Yuba River Endowment Board Member Mike Filice; TIP Director, Lisamarie Helmer; TIP Assistant Director, Susan Powell; TIP Board member, Rich Webb. Photo courtesy of Smart Marketing and Public Affairs
YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) – During a live radio interview on June 29, 2022, representatives from the Yuba River Endowment surprised the Yuba-Sutter Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) Director and Assistant Director with a $30,000 donation "' the largest single donation TIP has ever received.
“To say we were shocked is an understatement,” said TIP Director, Lisamarie Helmer. “During COVID we were not able to hold our annual fundraiser, but our volunteers did not miss a day on the job. We are extremely grateful to the Yuba River Endowment for giving this amazing organization a solid financial foundation again.”
Yuba-Sutter TIP currently has 30 volunteers who provide immediate emotional and practical support to survivors of tragedy. They cover both Yuba and Sutter counties, serving all 35 emergency agencies and Adventist Rideout Hospital. TIP volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and respond to all types of tragedies, some of which include accidents, suicides, homicides, drownings and fires. There are currently 14 regional chapters of TIP in the nation, serving over 250 cities. The Yuba-Sutter TIP chapter is the only one completely funded by donations.
“Most of us had no idea the vital role TIP volunteers play for our local first responders,” said Yuba River Endowment President, Al Lassaga. “Our community is blessed to have a TIP chapter, and these dedicated men and women. They are truly our unsung heroes.”
The Yuba River Endowment is a non-profit organization created by Yuba County farmers who have a right to water that flows on the Yuba River. While it did not happen last year, in some years the farmers are able to sell a portion of their water to drought-stricken areas of the state. Proceeds from these transfers provide the funding for the Yuba River Endowment. Since formation in late 2019, the Endowment has donated over $300,000 to support Yuba County ag education, provide food resources, veteran’s support, and much more.
“As farmers, we are long-term members of the community,” Lassaga said. “Our roots are here and if there’s something we can help with, we’re going to do it.”
Yuba-Sutter TIP will be holding a volunteer training starting July 28th, to learn more visit www.yubasuttertip.org. To follow the Yuba River Endowment on Facebook visit www.facebook.com/yubariverendowment.
