MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - During the Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down board meeting last Thursday, January 12, 2023, representatives of the Yuba River Endowment presented the volunteers with a donation of $10,000 to cover 1 year’s rent for the organization’s Marysville office.

The Yuba River Endowment is a non-profit organization created by Yuba County farmers. Since formation in late 2019, the Endowment has donated over $450,000 to local organizations, including the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank, the Yuba-Sutter Fair’s Jr. Livestock Auction and all Yuba County FFA groups.

“Due to COVID restrictions, most of our fundraising events have been cancelled for three years now, but the needs of veterans in our local area have only grown,” said Stand Down President, Mike Nichols. “The Endowment’s funding will give us the financial security we need to get through this year.”

The Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down provides a myriad of services to veterans and veteran’s spouses and dependents, including assistance with medical transportation, rehabilitation, housing, meals, shelter, burial costs, counseling services, connecting vets to State and Federal service programs. They hold an annual multi-day Stand Down event bringing all these services to one location to serve hundreds of vets at one time. The 2022 Stand Down was held at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds and served over 650 veterans.

The Yuba River Endowment was established by a group of Yuba County farmers and their Irrigation Districts who have a right to water that flows on the Yuba River. In a truly win-win situation, the farmers’ water is used to provide the required flow levels to protect endangered fish on the Yuba River, then once past this critical point, the water can be transferred to drought-stricken areas of the state.

Proceeds from these transfers provide the funding for the Yuba River Endowment, allow these farmers to expand their agricultural operations and create jobs in Yuba County. Through generations of conservation, cooperation, infrastructure investment and groundwater recharge, Yuba County is a model for water management in California.

The Endowment was created to give back to the community and provide organizational and educational grants.

“Our motto for the Endowment is ‘Local Farmers Giving Back’,” said local farmer and Yuba River Endowment board member, Mike Filice. “Our board is made up of representatives from eight different Yuba County regions, from Browns Valley to Wheatland. It’s an honor to be able to help our local veterans with this donation to the Stand Down. Without their sacrifice and service, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.”