DefinitelyDressage.com

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!

I can send you a donation if you don't mind making the purchases.

I'm in. To where do we send the package?

I need everything by December 15 at the latest, as I will hit the road on the 16th. I am happy to do the shopping if anyone wants to paypal a money donation. I'm not a registered non-profit, just so there's no misunderstanding. Just me But I'm honest (to a fault some might say). I'll send PMs to anyone who asks with my address/paypal.

Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Please send me your Pay pal Info.

There is no way I'd have time to shop and ship by the 15th.

Send me your PayPal info.

Why are these children living in such polverty?
Why are they walking miles to school?

Hayburner wrote:There is no way I'd have time to shop and ship by the 15th.

Send me your PayPal info.

Why are these children living in such polverty?
Why are they walking miles to school?

Good questions. The reservation is in an area of the state with very low population, and unemployment is 70%. I'm not sure why there isn't more bus service, but my friend describes kids walking for miles sometimes. Maybe because the reservation is so sprawling? I'd be happy to try to find out more for you. I'll pm you my paypal info.

Thank you!

Could you pm me your mailing addy? Also, are you close enough that you might visit again? Or close enough to you friend that visits often that you might be able to get things to her at non-Christmas time?

I visisted a reservation once when on vacation to New Mexico. It made me sad, mad, humble and embarrassed by the actions of the people that have come before us....we as a country have not done well by the native Americans.

Please send me your PayPal info as well.

fergusnc wrote:Could you pm me your mailing addy? Also, are you close enough that you might visit again? Or close enough to you friend that visits often that you might be able to get things to her at non-Christmas time?

I visisted a reservation once when on vacation to New Mexico. It made me sad, mad, humble and embarrassed by the actions of the people that have come before us....we as a country have not done well by the native Americans.

Yes, my sentiments. I do hope to go back. It's only a couple of hours from me, and if someone needs assistance at the holidays they need assistance through the year.

Thank you! pm coming.

Ok, I'e been shopping!
Picked up a few pairs of slipper socks, an infinity scarf (sadly not really warm but very soft and pretty) and a couple of packages of batteries.
My housemates donated craft supplies and some used clothing and cute earrings, and I'll go shopping again tomorrow.
Thanks for the opportunity!

carpevita wrote:Ok, I'e been shopping!
Picked up a few pairs of slipper socks, an infinity scarf (sadly not really warm but very soft and pretty) and a couple of packages of batteries.
My housemates donated craft supplies and some used clothing and cute earrings, and I'll go shopping again tomorrow.
Thanks for the opportunity!

Thank you thank you thank you!

Oh snap I need to finish my shopping and get it all mailed to you today!

Update OP

Wow, great work!

thank you

You really made a huge donation. Thank you!!

WOW - you did a great job collecting for these needy children. You made many days brighter for them and their families.

Thank you for caring enough to help others less fortunate.

Merry Christmas and God Bless

Fantastic job! I am so sorry I didn't get things to you in time...please keep us posted if this might become a recurring thing? It isn't such a great cause. Thanks for the hard work and selflessness!