SAULT STE. MARIE — Upper Peninsula police and fire agencies, public schools, public universities, and indoor and outdoor recreation programs are among the organizations that will share over $700,000 in spring “2-percent” donations awarded by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

The spring contributions are the first in a series of payments Sault Tribe plans to disburse in 2017. The 2-percent contributions are awarded to recipients across seven U.P. counties — Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette and Schoolcraft

Since 1993, Sault Tribe has disbursed 2-percent payments twice annually to U.P. communities and organizations. To date, over $42 million has been awarded by Sault Tribe based on 2-percent of slot revenues from the Tribe’s Kewadin Casino properties in Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Hessel, Manistique and Christmas.

“We are pleased to play such a significant role in the community and have the ability to contribute to the many organizations and causes within the local communities. Sharing our resources within the community helps improve the quality of life for many U.P. residents and businesses,” said Kewadin Casinos CEO Ron Olson.

Among the top amounts given to recipients of the spring 2-percent long-term funds are $34,025 for Lake Superior State University’s Gem of the North campaign to improve university facilities; $25,000 to improve the pool and track at Sault Area Public Schools; $25,000 toward the Sault Area Public Schools Title VII advocate; and $8,000 to the Delta County YMCA. In addition, many area governments benefited from tribal 2-percent long-term fund contributions.

Scott Marshal, recreational director of the Little Bear East Arena in St. Ignace, said the Tribe’s donation will help the arena continue to offer sports and other programs to area youth.

“The money from the Tribe helps us keep these great programs going,” Marshal said. “This is a great benefit to our youth and our community.”

Short-term 2-percent funds were distributed to:

– Sault Tribe Unit I – Sugar Island Township ambulance services, $31,876; uniforms for Sault Area Public Schools, $8,500; Kinross Charter Township Fishing Day summer activities, $8,500; and Chippewa County Health Department hospice services, $5,000.

– Sault Tribe Unit II – Newton Township Historical Museum, $10,000; robotics program at Lex Cheneaux School, $5,876; wireless public address and school bell system, Pickford Public Schools, $5,000; fire truck tire replacement in Hendricks Township, $5,000; Village of DeTour Fire and Ambulance Building, $5,000; McMillan Township Recreation Center, $5,000; Top of the Lake Museum Storage Building in Mackinac County, $5,000; Newberry Elementary Community Playground $5,000; Drummond Island All Seasons Pavilion, $5,000; and Trout Lake Township ball diamond restoration, $3,000.

– Sault Tribe Unit III – LaSalle robotics at St. Ignace Area Schools, $4,000; Mackinac County Animal Aid Association, $8,376; City of St. Ignace library web page, $1,500; Museum of Ojibwa Culture, St. Ignace, $17,000; Fort de Baude in St. Ignace, $10,000; City of St. Ignace Police Department technology upgrade, $5,000; Little Bear East Roller Skating Program, City of St. Ignace, $5,000; and LaSalle High School girls softball program, $3,000.

– Sault Tribe Unit IV – Delta Schoolcraft ISD Students at Work construction projects, $5,249; Rapid River Public Schools, Native American education, $2,500; Gladstone Area Schools, Native American education, $2,500; Escanaba Area Public Schools, Title VII, $2,500; Schoolcraft County 4-H Firefighters, $1,000; Big Bay De Noc Schools C.U.P. summer baseball program, $2,000 ; Big Bay De Noc Schools Robotics Program, $5,000; Ishpeming Public Schools, Title VII, $2,500; Thompson Township volunteer fire department gear, $3,964; Manistique Public Schools, Title VII,, $2,500; Big Bay De Noc Schools, Title VII, $2,500; Gwinn Schools, Title VII, $2,500; Negaunee Schools, Title VII, $2,500; Bay De Noc Community College YMCA, $6,000; City of Manistique Paul Bunyan Park, $3,000; Maple Ridge Township Community Center kitchen, $4663.47; and Nahma Township Veterans Memorial, $3,000.

– Sault Tribe Unit V – Munising Schools, Title VII, $13,000; Alger County Food Pantry, Munising, $7,000; Alger Arena, Munising, $6,938; Northern Michigan University Learning to Walk Together, $1,500; Lake Superior Hospice, Marquette, $3,450; Juvenile Court/Schools Success Program, Marquette County, $5,988; Superior Watershed Partnership/Conservation Program, Marquette County, $3,000; Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Marquette County, $4,000; Jail Diversion Initiatives, Marquette County, $4,000; and Habitat for Humanities, Marquette County, $5,000.

For more information on how to apply for 2-percent funds, contact Candace Blocher at 906-632-6281.