Pendleton Woolen Mills Continues Support With More Than $100,000 to the American Indian College Fund

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Mar 08, 2011, 07:00 ET

DENVER, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Since 1995, Pendleton Woolen Mill's support of the American Indian College Fund (the Fund) has helped more than 400 students pursue their dreams of obtaining a college degree. Pendleton has continued its longstanding support by granting two gifts to the Fund. Pendleton's first gift of $15,514.83 is from royalties generated from sales from a blanket line designed exclusively for the Fund. This gift will continue the Pendleton Woolen Mills Tribal College Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to American Indian students attending tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) in Washington and Montana. Pendleton's second gift of $83,855.50 will go towards the Pendleton Endowment Tribal Scholars Program, which provides scholarships in perpetuity to Native students attending TCUs throughout the United States.

"We are always inspired by the individual stories of struggle and triumph of the students who receive the scholarships," said Robert Christnacht, Pendleton Home Division Manager. "Pendleton is honored to be able to contribute to the long-term growth of the tribal college system through the American Indian College Fund."

"Pendleton's support has been instrumental in the evolution of higher education in Indian Country," said Richard B. Williams, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. "These gifts will allow us to continue helping American Indian students change their lives through education for many years to come. We are incredibly grateful for Pendleton's generosity."

About Pendleton Woolen Mills

Pendleton Woolen Mills has proudly designed and woven American Indian Trade blankets since 1909 in its mill in Pendleton, Oregon. Today, Pendleton products, including womenswear, menswear and home collections, are available at select department and specialty stores, and more than 70 Pendleton retail stores nationwide. Pendleton merchandise is also available at the company's web site (www.pendleton-usa.com), in Pendleton's seasonal catalogs, or toll free at 1-800-649-1512.

About the American Indian College Fund

With its credo "Educating the Mind and Spirit," the American Indian College Fund is the nation's largest private provider of scholarships for American Indian students, providing an average of 6,000 scholarships annually for students seeking to better their lives and communities through education and support to the nation's 33 accredited tribal colleges and universities. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org

SOURCE American Indian College Fund