- 15493409_10154433303694864_4791307767952451051_o.jpg (212.95 KiB) Viewed 13606 times
I want to thank everyone who helped me collect clothing, toys and books for children at Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The community struggles with unemployment rates of 70% and widespread poverty. For many families the holidays are lean.
Thanks to wonderful friends, along with the generous support of people I have never even met (DDBB!!), I received $275 in funds to purchase gifts alon with many donations, and was able to deliver 25 coats, 27 hats, 32 pairs of gloves, 8 scarves, 16 pairs of pants, 35 fleece and thermal shirts, 5 pairs shoes, 40 pairs of socks, 43 wonderful books, and 56 toys, for a total of 287 items!
Thanks to this along with gifts from other donors, every child identified by reservation staff as in need received gifts and a lot of joy. Thank you from me and from the children you have served, and wishing all many blessings for the holidays!!
__
I posted this for my facebook friends and I thought I'd share here too in case anyone is interested. I can also provide contact information to give directly to a representative at the reservation if desired. There probably isn't much time for mailing items but I can shop on this end! (promise I'm not a scammer, I'm a noob on this board but an old timer on UDBB
)Friends, I want to ask you if any of you would like to help me make the holidays brighter for children living on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation? I am going to make a trip to Warm Springs to deliver gifts and clothes, and I would be thankful to take any donations you would like to add. If you don’t have time to shop, you can send me shopping with your contribution! (boy can I stretch a dollar!)
I became aware of the extreme poverty of Native families at Warm Springs through a friend who works there. Unemployment for WS residents is a whopping 70%, and it is the poorest community in Oregon. Metropolitan gift drives do not reach children in rural areas, and local resources are few and difficult to access. Many children walk for miles to their schools, in harsh terrain and weather. Many live without heat or basic comforts we enjoy. Children have little and are very grateful for what they receive.
I am aiming to focus on ages 8-14, since these children typically receive the least gifting, but clothing and gifts for all ages are needed. Items most needed/wanted include:
Coats, scarves and gloves
Boots
Socks
T-shirts
Sweaters
Sports shirts (they love basketball)
Basketballs
Baseball stuff
Sports equipment
Dolls
Books, lots of books
Action figures
Trucks and cars
Building blocks
Durable toys
And… any kind of toy a kid would like
Gently used items are also appreciated.
In addition, children appreciate a personal note of support and encouragement. If you would like to write notes to send along they are much welcomed.
I will need to finish collecting gifts by December 15 so I can head over the mountains in my sleigh. Please message me here if you would like to help. Thank you!
