This Giving Tuesday, Santa and his elves are getting a little help from Running Strong for American Indian Youth® to ensure that hundreds of children on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation will have nice presents under their tree come Christmas Day.
Toys for Tribes benefits Native youth on Pine Ridge, who are growing up in one of the five poorest counties in the United States where they must endure poverty, geographic isolation, and harsh South Dakota winters on the plains. This year, they’ve also had to struggle with missing school and their friends as the coronavirus struck and moved already-remote populations even further away.
But despite the challenges they’ve endured, the children of Pine Ridge have been brave throughout the year and Running Strong is inviting you to join us this Giving Tuesday in bringing a smile to their faces — with a gift from Santa and Toys for Tribes! With your help, we will send more than 2,000 toys to the boys, girls, and teenagers of Pine Ridge this winter to make their holidays magical.
One parent who has been a part of the Toys for Tribes program told us, “My kids have participated in the toy drive about two or three years and they always get really nice things and they are always really happy.
“A lot of times we can’t do as much for our kids as we’d like to but it’s really nice to have them wake up on Christmas morning and have an abundance of gifts. It really makes us feel good.”
Rose Fraser, director of the Oyate Teca Project, another site for Toys for Tribes distribution, told us, “Personally, having the support from Running Strong was huge relief and a surprise. I didn’t think we are going to have a Christmas, thank you very much!”
We at Running Strong know that many kids on reservations grow up in poverty, and we strongly believe that it is especially important to make sure they know they are not forgotten during the holidays. Every child, regardless of their circumstances, should grow up with fond memories of a happy holiday season and the joy of finding that special present left by Santa just for them.
Join Running Strong this Giving Tuesday in showing these children that there are people who care about their Christmas morning just as much their own. Any small amount you contribute goes a long way for big smiles this December!
