San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Give $300,000 to PossAbilities Program

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donated $300,000 to the PossAbilities outreach program of Loma Linda University Medical Center's East Campus on Sunday at the National Orange Show, a university spokesman announced Wednesday.

PossAbilities staff and volunteers strive to provide challenges and meet needs for members of the Inland Empire's physically-challenged community, according to Loma Linda University Medical Center officials.

The $300,000 check was presented at the annual PossAbilities Celebration Dinner on Dec. 2, university spokesman Herbert Atienza said. More than 800 people attended the dinner at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino.

The dinner featured a performance by the first blind finalist on American Idol, Scott MacIntyre, who competed on the television show in 2009, and a launch of PossAbilities initiatives, Atienza said.

"The event was a reflection of the beauty, passion and courage of our members," PossAbilities Manager Pedro Payne said. "It also gave us an opportunity to unveil our new Paralympic training program, 'Road to Rio.' The purpose is to afford our athletes the best chance of competing in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil."

The four-year "Road to Rio" program will provide PossAbilities athletes training, coaching, and financial assistance to give them the best opportunity to compete in the 2016 Paralympic Games, Payne said.

The Loma Linda University Medical Center health system includes Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus, Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center, Loma Linda University Heart & Surgical Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center - Murrieta, and physician clinics. 

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe with reservation land bordering the city of Highland, Calif.

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