Tulalips gather help for South Dakota snowstorm victims

http://www.northcountyoutlook.com/1204_Tulalip_SD_givingcircle.htm
12/4/08

Tulalips gather help for South Dakota snowstorm victims

By Beckye Randall

Raelene Todd of TBGCA severe early winter snowstorm in South Dakota has spurred local residents to collect necessary items for Native Americans living on the hard-hit Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations in the southern part of the state.

The Tulalip Multi-Media Youth Club (TMMYC), in association with the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club and other tribal departments, has formed a Giving Circle to collect much-needed donations of clothing, blankets, shoes, boots and cash by December 16.

Pine Ridge is the eighth largest reservation in the United States, with approximately 28,000 residents, and it has the poorest population. Unemployment on the reservation is estimated to be 80 percent, and 49 percent of its residents live below the federal poverty level. Many of the families have no electricity, telephones, running water or sewer service, and most use only wood stoves to heat their homes.

The November 5 blizzard knocked out electricity and stranded many in their homes with no heat, food or water for weeks.

Robin Carneen of the TMMYC and host of First People's Radio heard of the devastation from media contacts in the South Dakota area and invited local tribal organizations to pitch in.

"We are looking for unsoiled, preferably new items of clothing like warm jackets, sweaters, thermals, new blankets, shoes for winter weather, warm hats, gloves, scarves and boots," said Carneen. "Other necessities include sleeping bags, matches, lighters, charcoal briquettes, flashlights with batteries, NOAA weather radios, kerosene lanterns, batteries of all types, candles, disposable diapers in sizes 3 and up, baby formula, hygiene items, toilet paper."

Volunteers are also in need of empty boxes that can be sealed closed or with lids that can be taped closed, packing tape and plastic garbage bags.

Arranging shipment of the items is another challenge, said Carneen. The groups have put out a "call for truckers" headed to South Dakota who may be willing to donate some space to the cause.

Linda Tolbert, a member of the Tulalip Lions Club, added, "We need community involvement to help with this crisis."

Donations for the South Dakota blizzard victims can be dropped off at the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club during regular hours until December 16. Phone (360) 716-3400 for hours and directions.

Photo: Raelene Todd of the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club helps prepare the collection box to gather donations for South Dakota blizzard victims. Drop off warm clothes, shoes and other necessities before December 16.