SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. (May 7, 2020) - Today, the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation announced a generous donation of $50,000 from Delta Dental of New Mexico to support the NB3 Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund: a direct action fund providing food, water and educational resources to tribes, pueblos and Native American communities of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation.

 

“We are grateful for the financial support from Delta Dental and for stepping up and helping Native American families and communities during this uncertain time,” said Justin Kii Huenemann, president and CEO of the NB3 Foundation. “We remain committed to our direct-action approach, including purchasing, boxing and distributing food, water and supplies directly to households living in hard-hit areas. These funds will directly support people in need.”

 

This contribution comes in response to the tremendous need that has been identified for Native populations in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

 

“The President of the Navajo Nation issued the first press release on January 26, 2020 to make his tribal members aware of the Corona-19 virus and shared information about the public health risk that was associated. The immediate and proactive leadership and communication acknowledged genuine concern and offered early guidance. Preparation and caution were exercised, shortly after followed by a declaration of a state of emergency, but the virus as we have all seen, has had a disproportionately high rate of infection throughout the Nation. The frontline direct outreach and utilization of the CHR teams in the NB3 Foundation COVID-19 Response initiative has effectively been able to reach many tribal members to provide greatly needed supplies and services. Delta Dental of New Mexico is grateful for the many selfless acts of compassion and community that this Response Fund has provided,” said Lou Volk III, president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Mexico.

 

To date, the NB3 Foundation Fund has raised over $300,000, distributed food and water to the Navajo Nation, provided financial support to Native-led organizations working directly in their communities and provided educational technology supplies to Native students. The NB3 Foundation looks forward to continuing to be on the front lines of support and action over the coming months.

About Notah Begay III Foundation

The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation is a national, award-winning Native-led nonprofit dedicated to improving Native American children’s health. Each day, thousands of Native youth wake up facing significant health challenges and barriers to living full lives. The good news is that most are preventable and together we are changing this reality.

 

NB3 Foundation is changing the lives of Native American children by supporting and funding Native-driven, culturally centered programs and by providing direct opportunities for Native youth to live healthy, active lives. We believe that success must be driven at the local level and focus on holistic prevention, including child, family and community. To learn more about the NB3 Foundation, please visit at: www.nb3foundation.org

About Delta Dental

Delta Dental of New Mexico is a not-for-profit corporation that has been providing dental benefit plans for New Mexico residents since 1971. Our core values include responsibility in utilizing our success to create healthy, smart and vibrant communities.

 

Delta Dental of New Mexico and its affiliates in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee make up one of the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. The Delta Dental plans are members of the Delta Dental Plans Association, a nationwide system of independently operated dental health service plans. Together, the plans provide coverage to more than 78 million Americans and operate two of the nation’s largest networks of participating dentists.