Through our Waníyetu (Winter) Strong program this fall and winter, Running Strong for American Indian Youth® distributed a total of 6,000 brand new heavy winter coats in both child and adult sizes for younger children and teenage youth, which right now are keeping them warm on even the coldest days of winter on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and elsewhere in Indian Country.
In addition to the coats, the children and youth received winter kits, including a hat, scarf, heavy winter socks, and even a blanket to keep them toasty warm in bed as they slept.
This month, we are pleased to report that we have been receiving a steady stream of reports from our grateful partners, with thank yous from the recipients, demonstrating the great impact of a warm winter coat on thousands of children and youth and their families as a whole.
Among them are:
The Division of Indian Work (DIW) in St. Paul, Minnesota, where director Theresa Halvorson-Lee reported distributing 312 children’s and 210 adult-size coats, along with 400 pairs of winter socks, told us how the items are making a great difference in their lives.
“Running Strong In-kind donations of warm coats directly addresses the harsh realities of Minnesota winters and the financial burdens they place on families,” she reported.
“Many families in our community face difficult decisions during this season, often choosing between essentials like heating, food, or clothing.
“A warm coat is not just a piece of clothing – it’s a shield against the biting cold and a lifeline for children walking to school or playing outside.”
Theresa also told us this heartwarming story about a young boy whose grandmother brought him to the DIW’s food shelf.
“The boy, around eight years old, was wearing a thin hoodie and shivering visibly despite trying to hide it.
“His grandmother, a kind and resourceful woman raising him on a fixed income, shared that they couldn’t afford a proper winter coat after covering rent and utilities.
“Through Running Strong, we were able to provide him with a new, insulated jacket that fit him perfectly.”
As for the boy, named Reuben himself, Theresa reported that he excitedly exclaimed, “Now I won’t be cold anymore!” upon picking out his brand-new coat and then encouraging his grandmother to take a picture of him wearing it.
On Pine Ridge, located on the Great Plains of South Dakota, Yvette Running Horse Collin, executive director of our partner, Sacred Healing Circle (SHC), reported that just two days before Christmas, she and volunteers distributed 114 adult-size coats in several communities on the vast reservation, including Porcupine, Manderson, and Pine Ridge Village.
“We were able to bring them to people at their homes, so we were able to reach people who otherwise would not be served,” she reported.
She told us of pulling up at a home in Manderson with their trailer in tow and that “We could see a fresh grave in the yard.”
Residing in the home, she came to learn, were three adults (two women and an elderly uncle) and six children who had just experienced an unimaginable tragedy when the husband of one of the women and father to the children had been murdered two months prior.
“The adults in the home were very gracious and very appreciative of the coats and the gifts we were able to bring to their family during this time of great sadness and need,” said Yvette.
“It was wonderful to see the children’s happiness and for the adults to know they were not forgotten.”
Among the volunteers giving their time just before Christmas Day was Josh, who commented once all the coats had been distributed, “It is an amazing experience to be part of giving back to my own community like this. It makes the holidays matter as they should.”
In addition, Yvette and SHC volunteers distributed an additional 96 coats at “The Warming Hut,” where they distributed 19 coats. The Wind River Care Victim’s Unit received 23 coats, 15 were provided to homeless adults, and the remaining 39 were distributed to families in need across the reservation.
Among the volunteers helping to provide winter warmth was Julie, who told us that she had had a family member who had been homeless for periods and had recently passed away.
“Being able to help with this distribution allowed me to have the experience of honoring my relative and paying it forward.”
At the Menominee Indian School District (MISD) in Keshena, Wisconsin, nutritional services and education coordinator Tina Waupoose reported that following the distribution of 144 child-size and 132 adult-size coats, along with 300 pairs of winter socks, “We had a lot of success. We had enough jackets to send to the whole community.”
Tina explained, “We come from a poverty reservation (the Menominee Indian Reservation in the northeastern region of the state). Many of our families have single working parents. Sometimes, they need to provide food before they can get jackets or warm socks for all the kids in the household.”
She also reported hearing numerous comments such as “This is amazing,” one said, “with tears in their eyes,” and “Thank you so much, it means a lot to us.”
As for Tina, “I’m very grateful to be able to help make someone happy.”
At the Bowler School District in Bowler, Wisconsin, Title VI coordinator Donald King reported that they only requested winter kits and socks for 100 students, including every student in the fifth and sixth grades.
“There were actually several students that did not have the items in the kits and benefited from the donation since the winters in Wisconsin are cold.”
Donald also added that “Several teachers and school staff commented on the kindness of the donation made by Running Strong for American Indian Youth® and the fact that the donations are having a positive benefit on the students in our small school district.”
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