The Running Strong Santa is everywhere this year!
This holiday season, we are working to ensure that “Santa” doesn’t pass hundreds of Native American children and families by this Christmas!
On Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, “Santa” will drop off toys at both our Tipi Waste distribution center, for pick up by representatives from the 9 districts of the reservation to be delivered, by sleigh, truck, or by foot, to children throughout the reservation.
From our Oyate Ta Kola Ku Community Center in Pine Ridge, the staff at our Oyate Ta Kola Ku Community Center is busy preparing for the Christmas lighting event and Parade of Lights scheduled for December 6 with community-made floats and prizes for the floats “most lit up, best music/special effects and holiday spirit – best original theme, followed with cookies and hot chocolate for all.
“We are encouraging everyone who can to decorate their houses/yards/fences and help us light up the town!” says Rose.
Staff, known these days as “Santa’s elves” are shopping for the best deals, to distribute to children coming to the Community Center holiday party, as well as being driven to remote families by our Mobile Market ‘turned’ Mobile “Santa’s Sleigh” (complete with antlers on the roof and a cheery red nose on the dash).
In Chinle, Arizona, our partner Today We Follow-Tomorrow We Lead is busy using our grant funding to purchase Christmas gifts for Navajo children and the elderly who may be spending the holiday alone.
TWF-TWL President Anita Begay stated that in addition to the gifts, she will be purchasing “food goodies” and make bags of candy for children of families who rely on government assistance for food.
Anita says her goal is simply “just to see the children happy and full of laughter on Christmas Day.”
In Sioux City, Iowa, our longtime partner there, Indian Youth of America, once again received grant funding from Running Strong to host its annual Christmas party, which this year includes a private showing of the film, “Wonka,” at a local movie theater, handing out goodie bags filled with fruit, candy, cookies, popcorn and more, as well as providing Christmas gifts for children and Christmas family packs for their parents.
“We want to brighten the lives of Indian children and families during the holiday season,” says IYA director Patricia Gordon, who notes that in addition to the goodies and gifts, the holiday party has been making “special memories for children and parents” for over four decades.
“The holidays are tough for families struggling without sufficient income to cover their basic needs, let alone the extra pressure and expense of buying gifts for their children. The holiday season is a time for celebrating, sharing, and reaching out to help others. In the true spirit of Christmas, we do just that with our annual Christmas party.”
On the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the Sacred Healing Circle received grant funding from Running Strong to provide holiday care and gifts to people living in Lakota communities during Christmas.
“Specific attention will be given to the elderly living in assisted living care and multigenerational homes – grandparents raising grandchildren, and families with small children,” said SHC executive director Yvette Running Horse Collin.
She lists several things she will accomplish through SHC’s holiday care and gift program including ensuring families most in need who cannot attend other holiday donation events “are recognized and feel respected and valued this holiday season.”
Also on Pine Ridge, our partner, the Oyate Teca Center and its director Rose Fraser, are busy preparing for the Christmas lighting event and Parade of Lights scheduled for December 6 with community-made floats and prizes for the floats “most lit up, best music/special effects and holiday spirit – best original theme, followed with cookies and hot chocolate for all.
“We are encouraging everyone who can to decorate their houses/yards/fences and help us light up the town!” says Rose.
And closer to Christmas Day, Rose is preparing for its big annual Christmas gift and food box distributions for hundreds of Pine Ridge children and families.
