sewforkids

The Easter Project

We’re late getting this month’s project up but the High Horse’s have been dealing with recent deaths in the family as well as the usual urgent needs so prevalent this time of year. They are busy making food and wood deliveries, processing the NAHA truck, hosting the monthly elders bingo night and movie night for the kids and advocating for the 20 plus families that cannot pay their electric bills and are about to be shut off.  The sewing circle is planning to meet on a regular basis and will have some needs which we’ll post at a later date along with other program needs.

SFK helps Jerome and Theresa with two parties a year, Christmas and Easter.  We’re a small group and don’t have the resources to help with all the yearly events so Theresa has asked us to help with these two as they’re the ones that matter most to the community.  This year’s Easter party will be held April 4 at the Kennedy Hall with an egg hunt (in rain or snow) for ages 3-10 and fun game booths for all the kids, even elders have been known to join in on the fun. No party or event is held on the Rez without food being served (menu still undecided) and people are always hungry so that’s a major draw for many who attend.

They’re expecting about 200 to 250 kids to attend so they would like to have a total of 5000 plastic eggs for the hunt, 1200 were saved from last year’s party so they still need 3800.  They plan to fill the majority of the eggs with small prizes/toys and some will have a token indicating they’ve won an additional prize. There was a discussion about giving out candy but they decided nutritious snacks were more appropriate since so many kids have cavities due to poor diet and hygiene. There’s also a high incidence of diabetes on the Rez and many children are overweight so they’re trying to encourage more nutritious eating.  Each child will receive a treat bag containing fresh fruit, nuts, granola bars, raisins, etc. and maybe a piece or two of candy.  The fruit will be purchased at the local grocery store as the High Horses want to support the few  businesses they have.  This store provided 100 sandwiches for the Christmas party and entered a float in the parade for the first time this year indicating they want to play a role in the community.  Donations are needed to purchase the fruit and can be sent to the 501c3 nonprofit organization, Lakota Friends Circle, thru paypal (email address- lfc@lakotafriendscircle.org) or by mailing to

Lakota Friends Circle

2415 Amberbrook Lane

Grayson, GA 30017

 The organization’s website will soon be up. All donations would be used for the fruit or other food purchases for the party if more money came in than was needed for the fruit. You can indicate on Paypal or in a letter that the money is for the party. The organization will honor your request.

So for the party they will need “egg stuffers”…….stickers, temporary tattoos, small cars and trucks, small animals, McDonald type toys, action figures, shoelaces, erasers, small balls, finger puppets, hair ties, lip gloss/chap stick, bracelets, earrings, etc.  This site has a list of ideas for stuffing the eggs and prizes for the game booths, Oriental Trading  has some good ideas too as do many of the dollar stores.

For the treat bags……. individual packages of crackers, raisins, granola bars, trail mix, peanuts, almonds, etc.

Gift items are needed for the raffle and egg hunt prizes so here’s where you can use your crafting skills.  Make or buy an individual gift or create an entire themed gift basket (include a healthy snack) for a child ages 3-10.  Wrapping your basket in cellophane and adding a bow will make it extra special . Please include a note indicating the child’s age and if for a boy, girl or either.  A very special thanks to Brenda Budd, one of our generous supporters, for a donation of 1,000 coloring books, these will be a big hit at the party!!  If you have an extra box of crayons, colored pencils or markers please send with your next box.   Below are some ideas for things you could add to your baskets, we certainly don’t mean for you to include everything listed. The more gift baskets received the more  raffles and “prize eggs” included in the hunt. If you want some ideas for  baskets for the various ages you can get some from Operation Christmas Child here. Consider when Christmas comes around to send a box or 2 their way!

• Sport Basket – Soccer, basketball, etc. theme….. include a T-shirt, ball, small portable basketball hoop and ball, book, sports cards, baseball cap, sunscreen, peanuts, water bottle, etc.
• Craft Bag – Basic crafting items such as crayons, paper, coloring books, markers, colored pencils, safety scissors, glue stick, stickers, etc.  Use a canvas bag to hold everything, kids can decorate the outside or sewers make your own.
•  Jewelry Making – Include everything you need to create your own necklace, bracelet…. lacing, beads,  patterns, books, etc.
• Sand Box Bag – plastic bucket, shovel, molds, plastic containers, small plastic animals to “bury” and dig up( like dinosaurs), etc.
• Nature Basket – Clear plastic box for specimens, magnifying glass, nature book, etc.
• Book themed bag – Sewers make a book bag, add a book and stuffed animal or other item/s from the book.
• Game Basket – card games, connect 4, make a tic tac toe game, bingo game etc add hot chocolate and healthy snack.
• Movie Basket – DVD, popcorn, blanket or pillow to curl up with, hot chocolate and mug.
• Makeup Basket – Lip gloss, eye shadow, manicure kit, lotion, etc
• Hygiene Bags for older kids- deodorant , soap, shampoo, razor, make a toiletry bag for the contents, combs, toothpaste , toothbrush, pads for females etc
• Hair Care Basket – shampoo, conditioner, hair bands, barrettes, other fun accessories.
• Party Basket – Cake mix and frosting, invitations, balloons, party hats, etc.
• Zoo , Marine, or Farm Animal Basket – books, plastic or stuffed animals, puzzles, or animal themed activities
• Garden Basket – Kids gardening tools, plastic flower pots, seeds, book or other garden related activities.
• Picnic Basket – Quilt/blanket, plastic dishes and utensils, napkins, cans of sandwich meats etc.
• Bicycle Basket – Tire repair kit, light, horn, safe bike riding rules, helmet.
• Cooking Basket – Sew an apron, cookbook for kids, choose a recipe from the book and include everything needed.
• Superhero Basket – Make a costume – cape and mask, coloring book, temporary tattoos, energy bars, other themed items.
• Outdoor Fun Basket – Bubbles, jump rope, sidewalk chalk, sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.
• Bath Time Basket – Bubble bath, bath toys, no tear shampoo, bath mitt, washcloth, towel, etc.
• Craft Basket – pick your favorite craft and add everything to create beading, lacing, sewing, embroidering, quilting, painting, etc.
• Fabric painting – Make animals/dolls from muslin, add some markers or fabric crayons, yarn and plastic needle, etc. and let kids create their own one of a kind art.
• Bedtime Basket – PJ’s, slippers, book, hot chocolate, pillow and pillowcase, stuffie etc.
• BFF Bag – include autograph book, paper and fabric markers, pillow or animal for all those BFF’s to sign, embroidery floss and instructions for making friendship bracelets.
• Breakfast Basket – Cereal, cereal bowl and spoon, kid’s placemat, powdered milk, raisins, nuts, hot chocolate and mug.
• Lego Basket – Lego’s, plastic container for storage, book and other Lego themed items.
• Puzzle Bag – Puzzles and puzzle books, pencil and eraser, etc.
• School Supply Bag – Pencils, eraser, pencil sharpener, glue stick, paper, folders, healthy snack, calculator.
• Baby Bag – Bib, washcloths, outfit, baby wash/shampoo, diapers( consider making a cloth diaper bag with all the needs for diapering)
• Play dough bags – roller, shapes, mat , etc
• Journal Bag, – journal or a scrapbook , items to decorate it with , calendar, pens etc photo envelopes(for school pictures)
• Puppet bag- puppets or items to make their own, storybook, coloring pages etc
• Kids Busy Bags – Pick your favorite theme make a few activities and add a snack.

These are just a few of the thousands of ideas available on the internet.  We would love to see pictures of your finished baskets/bags and welcome your suggestions and ideas.   Please let us know if you’re sending gifts or gift baskets so we know the number being sent.  Thank you for helping the High Horse’s with this party, if the past is any indication, our wonderful volunteers will make it a huge success. Please send your gifts to this address.

Thanks from Sew For Kids

Cloth Diapering on the Rez as a Possibility?

Every month there’s a call from the Rez saying they’re either out of disposable diapers altogether or they’re short on sizes 2-6.  They get size 1 and occasionally 2’s from the NAHA truck deliveries or from the clinic as they use this as an incentive to get women and their babies in for checkups. Babies on the Rez tend to be larger and grow into the bigger sizes more quickly, as Jerome says, “We grow them big out here”.

Babies want to be comfortable and have their needs taken care of and mothers want to provide for their children but it’s not always possible as they just don’t have the resources to buy diapers, they are dependent on organizations or donations from people like you. Babies fuss when wet and may annoy an inexperienced mom to the point that they may harm their child who only wants a dry diaper.  A social worker once told me that one cause of child abuse is lack of diapers.  Some women are so desperate for diapers they’ve even resorted to washing their disposables, not a recommended practice. Sometimes people use their SNAP (food stamps) card to buy food for others in exchange for cash which they use to pay bills, buy diapers, etc., not a legal practice but one to survive on.  WIC provides formula for babies and food for the mother but does not provide diapers.  TANF (temporary assistance to needy families) provides funds to moms going to school or learning a trade for a limited amount of time and does not buy or give away diapers.   Occasionally the food bank has diapers but if people are hungry and there’s only so much money in the pot, diapers are not going to be a high priority.

Theresa and Jerome do use their own money to buy diapers when calls come in, usually at the end of the month.  They buy the largest box they can afford and divide them into bags which are then delivered as most people don’t have a car, increasing the cost even more.  If they’re out of multiple sizes, babies just do without, they don’t have the finances to buy them all nor do our volunteers when they help with so many other needs.  According to this chart a newborn can go through 70 diapers a week each costing 20-30 cents, imagine trying to afford that when you’re on public assistance.  Theresa has had requests for cloth diapers and we think this would be a great project to start for the Rez but it will take time, education and a few other obstacles to overcome.

One of the reasons cloth diapers aren’t used on the Rez  is either because they don’t own a washer and/or no electric service because of unpaid bills.  Diapers could be washed in a pail or the bathtub even reusing water from a previous wash if water supply is an issue, thankfully there are no water bills to pay on the Rez.  For those  homes without running water, the tribe will fill up a large outdoor tank or neighbors who do have it will fill containers for them. Obviously these families would have a much harder time using cloth diapers.  Parents needing daycare for their children may be required to wear disposables and bring with them all they’ll need for the day.  The daycare in Wanblee depends on the NAHA donations but a supply of diapers or other needs isn’t guaranteed to be on the truck.   .

While the washing and drying issue may be more of a problem in the winter months, the hot SD sun and low humidity are ideal conditions to dry diapers in the summer, a great time to start this kind of project.  There’s hope one day there will once again be a laundromat in Wanblee, but like everything else on the Rez it takes time. Laundromats are great but they cost money which folks may not have and many don’t allow cloth diapers to be washed there due to the possibility of spreading infectious diseases to others.  The pail washer would work well for diapers as they could be washed daily or every few days depending on the number of diapers they had. Here’s a “demo” on how to wash in a pail, a wringer washer might be another option for the community.

Before a program could be started they would need to hold some classes on how to use and care for cloth diapers and have a contact person available to answer questions and give assistance to those needing help.  Young moms on the Rez didn’t get the training from their mothers or grandmothers, the latter being taken from their families as young children and put into boarding schools, so they didn’t get the chance to learn the things you and I did from our parents.  Jerome and another 501c3 group are working on acquiring funds to build a center where various life skills can be taught, we’ll have more on this as details become available. The Kennedy Hall is a community center so not always available as funerals, family celebrations, etc. are held there, local political issues are another problem.

As with most new ideas, it would take time before cloth diapers were fully accepted but hopefully in the beginning women would use them toward the end of the month when money is tight and they’re out of diapers. The hope is they will begin to see all the advantages of using cloth such as extra money available to pay the electric bill or buy food and never worrying about running out of diapers again.  Lots of remote areas on the Rez come to a standstill during harsh winter weather and those cloth diapers would really be a godsend when roads are impassable and there’s no chance of getting a delivery as happened a couple of weeks ago when the Woodchucks couldn’t deliver wood to those who needed it. We don’t want babies sitting around in wet diapers any longer than they have to, it’s uncomfortable (remember sitting in a wet bathing suit?) and predisposes them to illnesses or diaper rash which can be very painful if the skin gets raw.

Disposable diapers are easier, if you have them, and more convenient as they’re just tossed in the garbage when dirty, the downside is they end up in the landfill where they remain for the next 400 years or so while they decompose.  Landfills on the Rez are full of used diapers and many an elder on the Rez has told me young women need to go back to cloth diapering.  I used cloth diapers for both of my children and did have a washer and dryer but preferred hanging them outside whenever possible to use the UV light to sterilize and brighten them and to save money on energy. My daughter who was on a tight budget and lived in an apartment, used a drying rack (could be purchased for the Rez for winter months) which extends the life of diapers considerably.  The “ick ” factor is an issue for some but whether you use cloth or disposables there’s the soiled bottom to deal with, most people use store bought wipes which further add to the cost of using disposables and if they’re the cheap ones will require quite a few to get the job done. Others may use toilet paper (or “Treaty Paper” as Native Americans call it) which isn’t very soft on a baby’s skin and another need the High Horse’s are constantly being asked for. Cloth wipes can be made in any size and one or maybe 2 should do the job and can be tossed in with the diapers for laundering.

Because of the education and other issues that need addressing we’ve decided not to make cloth diapers en masse, but encourage you to make these items that can be used with both cloth and disposable diapers – diaper wipes which were highlighted in this blog, a changing pad, a diaper bag, and  a wet bag to hold dirty diapers, wipes or washcloths . Here is a site with more ideas for baby needs. Diaper covers for the disposables can also be made.  Once we feel people are showing interest , we will post free patterns, making cloth prefolds in various sizes or flat diapers held together with the good old fashioned diaper pins we all used, diaper inserts for more absorbency, soaker pants knitted/crocheted from wool and/or plastic/PUL pants.  There’s also a diaper style with “wings” that can be used with one diaper pin.

We know that all of you won’t agree with making cloth diapers but the only way disposables can be available all the time is by donating funds to purchase diapers every month or by sending packages of diapers on a continuing basis with Amazon or other diaper company.  The National Diaper Association is one possibility for us to look into but will require people on the ground in SD helping us with this program as well as fundraising for the diapers. It’s not an easy solution because of all the other issues, but our main goal is to keep the babies we help clean and dry, at least until the next supply of disposable diapers comes in. We’ll be letting you know when this project is a go, in the meantime if you want to practice your diaper making skills there are many homeless shelters and other organizations in your own communities that need diapers, both cloth and disposabe.

Well this is the final post for baby month, keep those machines humming and next month we’ll start working on the upcoming Easter party.  Thanks for all your hard work and continuing support!

Warm and Clean on the Rez and Urgent Needs

Although our project for the month is restocking the baby closet we’ve received an urgent request from Jerome and Theresa for more warm blankets (especially twin size), coats, hats, gloves, mittens and warm clothing in all sizes.   The Woodchucks could really use all these items (in larger sizes)  as they need dry clothing to change into when theirs becomes wet or frozen with snow while out cutting and delivering wood.  The weather is cold and high winds have drifted snow onto roads and driveways making it nearly impossible to cut or deliver wood to families that desperately need it.  They’re hoping for a warm up Friday which will allow them to get back out and build up the wood pile.  Propane is in short supply for most and those that do have it are using it sparingly so homes are very cold.  Families are doing their best to stay warm and are so thankful for all the winter gear you’ve sent, unfortunately there’s never enough to go around.  Warm items are a constant need during the winter months so next year we may continue that drive through January and move the baby closet to a different month.  Most of you have already spent months on the winter project (we too!) and are ready to move onto something new, but helping our friends on the Rez stay warm is a major concern of everyone at SFK.  Anything you can send will be greatly appreciated and if there’s a little room left in your box consider adding coffee, tea, hot chocolate or soup which are great warmer uppers and a package of disposable diapers in sizes 2-5, we’ve been informed they’re completely out!

During the winter babies on the Rez really need warm blankets including quilts and afghans, flannel receiving blankets, warm sleep sacks, baby mitts, hats and sweaters.  Other challenges for new mothers is keeping their babies clean and fed. Many don’t have the extra clothing to change their babies when they need it or a washer, soap and running water to do laundry or bathe.  If they do have water the thought of getting into a tub of water in an unheated home isn’t exactly inviting, it’s hard enough to stay warm when your body’s dry. Towels and washcloths are in short supply on the Rez so rags or clothes are often used to dry off.  Babies don’t like to be in messy diapers and clothing and will cry if their needs aren’t attended to, something that can grate on a stressed mom’s nerves and at times lead to abuse. For the first 6 months babies need more attention and clothing as they’re frequently spitting up and soiling themselves.

We can help make things a little easier for mothers by making/purchasing some things to help keep their babies dry and happy.  Burp cloths are indispensable for the first few months helping protect clothing, cleaning up baby and even used for a diaper if needed.  Some great patterns to try are here:  http://tipnut.com/baby-burp-cloths/.  Bibs in various sizes are needed especially starting at 5-6 months when kids are introduced to solid foods.  They protect clothing from stains allowing them to be used for another day and keeping them in good condition to be shared with another family member or child in need.   Since washing clothes is hard and drying them in winter even harder, keeping them as clean as possible is important.  Many kids don’t have pajamas so wear the day’s clothing to bed, another reason to keep them clean.   Some bib patterns:   http://www.sewmuchado.com/2010/09/tutorial-sleeved-toddler-bib.html,  http://www.lubirdbaby.com/2010/01/just-like-daddy.html,   http://www.favecrafts.com/Sewing-for-Kids/Terry-Cloth-Baby-Bib-with-Sleeves/ct/1.    Towels are a luxury on the Rez so let’s fill this need by sending hooded and regular, new or gently used or make your own from terry cloth.  A hooded towel can be made by adding a washcloth to a purchased towel, directions here:  http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2011/04/hooded-baby-towel-tutorial.html, http://acreativemomma.blogspot.com/2010/12/hooded-towels-tutorial.html  Washcloths serve a multitude of uses and can be easily made from scraps of terry cloth, flannel, etc., patterns here:    http://www.creationsbykara.com/2010/12/baby-washcloth-tutorial.html/, http://pinoyinoz.blogspot.com/2008/11/tutorial-how-to-make-simple-baby-wash.html

We would also like to provide mothers with more clothing so they have extras to change their babies and young toddlers into when they get dirty.  Any clothing items for children 0-24 months can be sent with warm things especially needed for winter.  There are loads of free patterns on the web for those that want to sew and sales are on everywhere for those that like to shop.  You can also “shop” your kid’s or grandkid’s closets and check thrift stores for good buys.   Other items to consider tossing in your box are body soap/wash and laundry detergent in small containers or the bar type such as Zote, Fels-Naptha, etc.  With shipping costs at an all time high you get the most bang for your buck if your boxes are completely full.  Although we work on specific projects each month that doesn’t mean you can’t send clothing or other items if you know they will be needed at some time.  In other words fill your boxes but don’t make them so heavy they’re impossible to lift.  Shipping prices generally go down per pound the heavier the box gets.

Please join us on our Sew For Kids Volunteer group on Facebook or our Sew For Lakota Kids Yahoo group where we discuss patterns, sales, sewing techniques and many other topics. Next blog will address diapering needs.

Please send your items here. Thanks from Sew For Kids.

January 2015 is Baby/Toddler Month

January is here already and time once again for our annual baby drive.  We set aside a month just for babies to help restock the closet for newborns through 24 months.  Many mothers don’t have what they need for their new babies so we try to provide the essentials for their first 6 months.  Word has gotten around via the “moccasin trail” that Theresa and Jerome have baby items to give to new moms so they get lots of calls and knocks on their door.  NAHA and other donation trucks that come in don’t always have anything for babies, except occasionally disposable diapers, so we try to swamp T&J with baby goodies so they have something to give out to those in need.  Although this month is devoted to babies, please send any donations you have throughout the year, they are always needed!

Women deliver their babies in Rapid City or at Pine Ridge Hospital. Hospital regulations require all items distributed to babies be new and what they give out depends on what they have on hand which always changes. They do receive a small tub, toiletries and disposable diapers, but they’re used while baby is still in the hospital so there might not be many left when they come home. With Pine Ridge Hospital becoming a  “Baby Friendly Hospital”, women are encouraged to breast feed their babies. Education is done at the hospital for those who haven’t received any instruction prior to delivery and they also receive a home visit by a nurse within 2 weeks of  dismissal. Formula and diaper bag donations from pharmaceutical companies are no longer permitted because of companies advertising and promoting the use of formula, the tribe feels this is a conflict of interest. The hospital does provide some formula for those women having trouble breastfeeding and they will receive more from WIC along with help to see if their problems can be solved.  Each mom gets a free breast pump as well so moms can use it if they go to school or work, so breastfeeding can continue, the longer the better but the hope is for at least for 6 months. WIC provides women with food for themselves during pregnancy and for 6 months after delivery and for children in need until the age of 5/6.  They provide a pack ‘n play for babies so they have a safe place to sleep as the SIDS rate on the Rez is 2 to 3 times higher than the national average.

Many mothers have their kids in daycare while they’re attending school or working.  Children sometimes arrive there in need of a bath and/or wearing dirty clothes because they live in a home with no running water or laundry facilities, no clothing or just because their parents lack child rearing skills. The daycare doesn’t make negative comments to parents but does try to educate in a kind manner and just cleans up the kids and their clothes while they’re there for the day and sends them home with a new set of clothes if they have them. They can handle up to 20 kids at the center with most of them being infant to young toddlers as children aged 3-5 can attend Head Start. Older kids arrive after the school day ends and are picked up when their parents finish work.

The WIC program sees women on a monthly basis when they come to pick up their food.  Each month they try to do education with families or make appointments for them with other service organizations if needed.  Parents apply for WIC at Crazy Horse school and must reapply every 6 months to see if they still quality for services.  WIC likes to give out things to kids if they have them such as a book, toy, hat, mittens, etc. so they would welcome our help as well. It gets needed items to the kids and also acts as an incentive for coming in to the appt.

Since this is our major restocking for the year items for all seasons are welcome.  We can help the Lakota babies and toddlers by sending:  sleepers, sleepsacks (flannel for summer, fleece for winter), onesies or undershirts, socks, booties, hats, sun and warm ones, sweaters, jackets, winter coats, bunting/snowsuit, receiving blankets, quilts, blankets, afghans, pack ‘n play size sheets (most are 27×39),  tops and pants/shorts for all seasons, washcloths, bibs, towels (especially hooded), burp cloths, diaper wipes, diapers (cloth and disposable), nursing pads, safe toys that are washable, books (board and cloth), baby toiletry items, baby bottles and bottle brushes for cleaning, diaper bags, changing pads, and slings/wraps. The greatest needs for the baby are in the first year and then the next year , the toddler needs the day to day stuff that we all wear plus items to play or read with. Kids outgrow items often at these ages so it is nice to have items to fit the next stage. Moms do share items they have if they are not using them but because kids on the Rez do not have the clothing wardrobes of many of our kids off the Rez, clothes passed on, are not always in the best of shape. Over the next few weeks we’ll be posting patterns and ideas so please share your favorites with us and tell us what projects you’re working on.

Having a baby is a happy event but also stressful, especially if you’re a young, single mother unprepared for what a baby requires both physically and emotionally. The ideal situation anywhere, is for a baby to be born in a home with both adult parents present, but many are born to young, single moms. Native Americans lost so many people in the past that children are always welcomed. Fortunately, for the child born to a young mother, they usually are not living alone. Children can be cared for by other members of the family if the new mother can’t or won’t care for her child. Children on the Rez are believed not to just have one parent, but many, so that should something happen to a parent, another person can step in to raise the child, in many cases the grandparent assumes this role. Young mothers are sometimes ill equipped to deal with an infant and some suffer from postpartum depression, especially those without support, are isolated or overwhelmed with other children. By providing some of the needs for their children, we can relieve one of the stresses of a tired out mom. If you can donate something for mom such as sanitary pads, toiletries (hotel size is fine), etc., it would be much appreciated as well.  Donations can be sent here to the High Horses who will make sure that the items get distributed or kept in storage for the warmer weather. Thanks as always from Sew For Kids.

Sew For Kids 2014 Accomplishments and Christmas Party Report

Sew For Kids had a fantastic year which ended on a high note with another successful Christmas party being held at the Kennedy Center hosted by Jerome and Theresa High Horse. In the days leading up to the party, Jerome said “It was like a warehouse depot around here with FedEx, UPS and the post office all showing up around the same time every day.” He said to extend a big THANK YOU to all who contributed money, gifts and food to the party.  Without all your generous contributions a lot of kids would’ve gone home hungry and empty handed.

The Christmas party started at 3 pm, December 13th and finished with the annual Parade of Lights. The Parade had several entries, even the local food store closed up shop and entered a float. Floats mostly came from local service organizations such as police and fire departments, WIC, Head Start, etc.  Hot tea for the elders and hot chocolate with marshmallows for the children were served to help keep them warm during the parade. 400 people filled the Hall , they stopped counting at 400 so they’re not sure how many actually attended.  People were waiting outside for their turn to come in and receive a gift and something to eat.   Everyone was served a meal of 1 or 2 of the 1200-1400 sandwiches and a hot bowl of vegetable soup or beef stew made using more than 20 pounds of beef.  One hundred sandwiches were made and donated by the local store owner who wanted to contribute to the party, the rest of the food was made by the High Horse’s and volunteers from the community.  All the food was purchased from donations from our SFK group ($800+) and a few other organizations and NAHA contributed the beautiful Christmas decorations.

Jerome’s friend dressed up as Santa again this year and gave out the gifts.  Each child received a gift and a goodie bag filled with apples and oranges, peanuts and candy.  Most kids eat fruit out of a can, if at all, so fresh fruit is a real treat for them. Elders received gifts too as did most of the younger adults because of the generosity of this group and many others who helped make the party a success. The High Horses’ good friends from Wisconsin arrived early to help set up for the big event and brought many gifts as well. The variety of items that came in this year was fun for the High Horses to see, thanks to all of our volunteers adding a new look to their creations or making an item they had not seen in the past. Thanks to all the donations of warm hats, scarves, socks, boots, coats and blankets that people received at the party everyone went home warm.  Jerome said everything was in such pristine condition and the recipients were thrilled with their new clothes. Coats and diapers for the young ones came in from Running Strong  just before the party. Parents, who had children needing a coat, were told to choose one for their child from the many received. The elders thanked the High Horses for arranging and hosting such a wonderful event for the community and said if it weren’t for them their grandchildren wouldn’t have received anything for Christmas. Even those who came to help clean up the next day thanked Jerome and Theresa and said that without their sponsorship of the party and looking for sponsors to help their kids, Christmas would’ve been just another day on the Rez.  Clean up took most of the day but less than expected because of all the volunteers from the community that came to lend a hand.

The new tribal council members for Wanblee attended the party and were very impressed with what has been accomplished in the community over the last year. The tribal council for the Reservation has taken note of the positive things that have been happening in an area that hasn’t really received much attention or money from the tribe in the past.  With more supportive reps on the council, they’re hoping the tribe will help support future events for the community. They were so impressed with the High Horse’s they asked them if they could host a movie night for New Year’s Day if they provided the finances.  Jerome said,  “At this time Theresa and I really need to find a secret cave to hide in and catch up on our sleep!”

I will post  the Christmas party photos once I get them from Jerome. He has had problems downloading them. “There are many to view”,  he said.

I spoke to Jerome a few days after Christmas and he said they were receiving calls from people that were out of food and their children were hungry.  Luckily Running Strong donated 200 boxes of food to be delivered to those in need, right after Christmas.  Jerome and Theresa had to call on their “Woodchucks” to make food deliveries as they were in Rapid City working on tribal issues when the food came in.  Fortunately Jerome has developed a great working relationship with these young men and helped instill in them care and concern for those in their community that need help.  Jerome has been an ideal teacher and role model for them and he can now rely on them to help out in his absence.

Jerome headed to Texas to visit family for a few days but had to come back after 3 days as he was getting so many calls for wood and food.  This morning he and Theresa were heading to the food bank in Rapid City to get some food to distribute to those who are hungry. One of the new 501c3’s will hook up with the food bank but as yet has not been arranged.  The food bank knows Jerome and his needs and told them to come anyway and they will find a way to give them some food until an account can be set up. They can buy the meat and fresh veggies at 18 cents a pound and can get a deal on some of the bulk canned goods although we might get a better deal thru some of our sites. We’ll have more details about this as arrangements are made with the food bank.  Usually they need $300-400 per month to cover families who run out of food before their next food stamps or commodities come in. We’re so thankful, as is Jerome, for the small food items people squeeze into their boxes, or to those who send a monthly food box, it really helps those in need.

Jerome said people are also cold and in need of propane or wood, hard to deal with , with winter temperatures in the freezing range.  He and the Woodchucks were out cutting wood when I called last night. Fortunately, the individuals on this site have provided the needed boots and clothing so that they can do their job in the winter weather on the Rez. Because of those items, you are helping not just them but the others who are recipients of their labors.

Theresa, in addition to everything else she does, recently got a full time job as an assistant to the new tribal representative from Wanblee.  They will definitely have to recruit more helpers to get things done in the community.  A major advantage in taking this job is that Theresa thinks they will have an easier time getting help and assistance from the tribe.  Theresa’s first job was to get a list of those who were out of propane and she came up with more than 60 families.  The Shokabee tribe donated $100 for each Rez household for heating assistance which will help but won’t last long in their poorly insulated homes and the propane companies require a minimum order of $200.  It’s so hard for people to choose between food and heat so you can see why your warm donations make such a difference. If you wish to donate to the propane fund, you can send in a donation to Hearts of the Sacred Spirit, the 501c3 organization we are under.  Some of our members donated small electric heaters which families can use to heat a room where a mattress can be set up for sleeping.  I always remember a parent telling me how hard it is to get out of bed in the morning knowing the house is cold and would stay that way because they had no propane. Another advantage to the job is that Theresa’s new income will help the High Horses have some financial cushion as at present they live on a retirement income and have been using that to help those who call with a need if the resource is not there, their choice and the reason they came back to the Rez -to help their people.

That is that latest from Wanblee.

 Now to highlight Sew For Kids 2014 accomplishments:

Provided sheets, pillowcases, pillows, and blankets for the new mattresses that were donated by NAHA.  Bed frames were built by local men from recycled pallets.    Many families were helped and the pillowcases were a huge success with the kids, surprising even Theresa on how excited they were when choosing one for their bed.  Some volunteers made washcloths and sent towels, considered a luxury on the Rez.

Made tote bags and back packs for the Easter party, many volunteers sent candy to put in the eggs.

Made/purchased summer clothes for girls and boys. Girls who have never owned a dress got their first one from some very talented volunteers from Dress A Girl Around the World.

Restocked baby items for the daycare, WIC and the High Horses    They are known in the community now as the place to go to if you have needs for your baby.

Made/purchased school clothes, pencil cases, backpacks and school supplies.

Sent in seeds for their summer community garden.

Provided  warm winter gear including blankets, hats, socks, scarves, pj’s and warm outer wear for kids and adults.

Some of us helped with Halloween and Thanksgiving needs but this will be the last year for that as our main party events are Easter and Christmas.

Provided gifts and food for the Christmas party.

Provided movies, hot chocolate, tea, coffee and popcorn for movie nights.

Help set up the local sewing group, providing several new sewing machines, fabric and notions.

Responded to an emergency need for a family when a call came through.

Set up two working groups to discuss patterns, ideas, etc on Sew For Kids Volunteers on Facebook (thank you Lisa!) and Sew For Lakota Kids on Yahoo. Of course there is this blog and our basic Sew For Kids facebook page but the groups offer us a chance to chit chat and discuss new ideas. And with new members, come new talents, new skills and new friendships . We welcome all who craft, not just sewers and also those who do not craft but wish to help our cause.

When we started Sew For Kids, our goal was to concentrate on an area of the Rez that wasn’t receiving a lot of assistance but that was also small enough that we might make a difference.  We found Jerome and Theresa and all of you and together all our efforts are starting to make a difference in the community of Wanblee .We look forward to working with all of you to keep the momentum going and accomplish even more in 2015.  Because of our involvement, the community has seen there are people off the Rez who do care what happens to them and their families. In turn more people in the Wanblee community are getting involved in activities that help cement the community bonds needed to get a community working together for the betterment of all. With the feeling of hope people see less need to give up on life and the suicide rate has decreased with none occurring over the past 2 years.

We can’t solve all the needs and problems on the Rez nor should we, but what we can do is offer our help and support as they find solutions that work for their community and leads them toward a better future.  We can help relieve them from some of the day to day stresses that wears people down and takes away their hope for the future.

Thanks so much to all our volunteers this year!  I’ve said it before and will say it again,  YOU are the BEST!  We wish you all a healthy and safe 2015 and we hope you all will continue to work with us and spread the word.

2015 Preliminary Monthly Project List

Janet Schnurlein and I ( Carol Binnington) the co administrators of the SFK blog and groups, have put together a list of projects for 2015  as we have people who would like to get working on next year’s projects as well as take advantage of the sales pre and post Christmas. One of the things we hope to change for the new year is starting earlier on the Easter and Christmas parties so everyone avoids feeling rushed and you have more time to spend with your families during the holiday seasons.   We’re waiting for input from Jerome and Theresa on the needs for next year but they’re presently busy with the upcoming Christmas party so the list may change once they have time to look things over,

January -Baby Month – NB to 24 months…new or gently used items welcome –  clothing for all seasons, burp pads, cloth diapers, bibs, receiving blankets, quilts, afghans and blankets. sleep sacks… fleece for winter, flannel or cotton for summer, training pants, washcloths, towels, crib and playpen sheets, toys and books NB-24 months, changing pads, sweaters, booties, baby dishes and cutlery, bottles,  baby toiletries, disposable diapers.

February/March- items for the Easter party – craft bags, busy bags for the younger ones, books and sports/active play equipment such as balls, Frisbees, sand toys, etc.  Socks and underwear for age 2 up.  Will have to wait and see what Theresa wants for the party, maybe some raffle items?

April/May -Summer clothing – shorts, tops , summer shoes including canvas, athletic, flip flops, sandals, etc. summer dresses, light sweaters, jackets or sweatshirts (hoodies), sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen.  Make boys clothing one month and girls the other or sew your preference.

June – Miscellaneous needs/projects – Time to make pencil cases and school bags.  Food supplies for movie night…popping corn, oil, hot chocolate, drink mixes.  Sewing Circle needs – fabric, thread, batting, etc.  Will get a list from Theresa.

July –  Early Christmas gifts/Household linens – Start planning gifts that are labor intensive such as afghans, quilts, jackets, etc.  Towels and other linens are a luxury item on the Rez, we’re adding this need to July as stores will start running sales for students going off to college, school supplies will also start going on sale.

August – Back to School – socks, underwear, shoes, school supplies

September – Fall/Winter clothing – pants, long sleeve shirts, sweats, hoodies, jackets, warm dresses

October/November/December – Christmas gifts and anything warm – Including PJ’s, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves/cowls, winter coats, boots, fleece pants and tops, warm socks, slippers, blankets, afghans and quilts.  Much of the above can be given as Christmas gifts but we want to send each child a book or toy too.   Christmas gifts need to be sent by the first week of December.

Well that should keep us busy for a few weeks.  This list will not change very much as the needs remain pretty much the same year after year.  There may be a few additions as the High Horse’s let us know of needs their community has.  We appreciate everything our generous volunteers do for the kids and we’ll try not to bog you down with every little request made.  There are the little extras for the kids such as the popcorn supplies for movie night but we only include that because these kids have so little to look forward to during their summer vacation.  We believe supporting activities for the kids is one of the reasons suicide rates are down.   We are making a difference!

The Christmas Party 2014

It’s hard to believe we’re nearly through another year, the older you get the faster it goes!  It’s been a busy year for me, not only at home but also on this blog.  Many new volunteers have joined us this year from across the US and beyond ,each bringing their special talents to help our Rez kids and their families and sharing their knowledge with the old timers of the group.   Because of our commitment to help Wanblee and the surrounding communities people are coming together and working on projects that benefits everyone from babies to elders.  Sew For Kids is working together with Pine Ridge Elders, Hearts of the Sacred Spirit, Lakota Friends Circle, Halfknits and a new home repair group to make a difference in the community. NAHA brings a truck (Jerome never knows what will come in) at least once a month  to Wanblee with things like clothing, cleaning supplies and toiletries and Running Strong provides some food for families during the holiday season. Jerome and Theresa are elated with all the help and support they’ve received this past year and since all the positive things have been happening in the area there have been no suicides for the past couple of years which is a blessing.

The Thanksgiving/Sobriety dinner dance was a huge success with over 250 people attending.  Donations came from some of our volunteers in the form of cash as well as those folks that stuffed the corners of their boxes with food items. 12 turkeys and 8 hams were roasted and served, some provided by Running Strong and the rest purchased from Safeway where Jerome was able to talk the manager into reducing the price to 39 cents a pound.  NAHA brought onions and potatoes which was a surprise as they rarely bring food on their trucks. Jerome and Theresa’s daughters baked 24 loaves of banana bread, 70 lbs. of biscuits from 50-lbs of flour , 36 pies  which they served with cool whip, 4 sheet cakes, 5 lbs. of stuffing , 60- lbs of mashed potatoes , gravy and cranberries.  15 gals of  Gatorade, 100 cups of coffee, and 5  of gals tea were drunk. All I can say is WOW!  There was plenty of food so no one went home hungry.  A live band performed for the dance, their fee paid for by a drug/alcohol treatment organization.  Below are some pictures of the celebration.

The Christmas party will be held December 13 and the High Horses expect it to be much as it was last year when 700 people attended, 400-500 of them children.  The kids came from Wanblee and the surrounding areas, Rosebud reservation and other places on the Rez. Word got out about the Parade of Lights, the first and still only one on the Rez and the great Christmas party they have in Wanblee, so weather permitting many will attend as all are welcomed if they can get there. This will be the third year for the Parade of Lights, schools and other organizations and the local people are all part of the parade. The kids have fun helping decorate the floats and also riding on them. Three winners are chosen for the best floats. Santa, one of Jerome’s biking buddies,  shows up to hand out the gifts and looks pretty authentic as he has a long, white beard.  Many kids have given it a tug to see if it’s real.

If you have still have things to send for the party try to get them off by mid week as the volunteers need time to put the gifts in order and because the weather can turn nasty at any time.  Please send your items here .

Judging by the number of gifts coming from our group and others the kids and their families should have a great day.  Theresa and Jerome make sure to take bags to local children who don’t have transportation to the party and also to elders and the disabled who can’t attend. The Christmas tree they decorate is raffled off at the end of the party and some lucky family gets to take it home.  Many families can’t afford a tree so this is a real treat for the kids as it’s decorated and comes with lights.  Usually the artificial tree comes in on a NAHA truck but a real one can be cut down if needed.

Since the Thanksgiving party just happened, the High Horses were intending to serve only cookies and hot chocolate with marshmallows at the Christmas party and provide each child with a bag containing fresh fruit (a real treat for many), nuts and a few candies.  However, after much discussion, it was decided that if they could get the resources for chicken soup and sandwiches, they would serve a meal and maybe have enough leftovers to send a sandwich home with each child. Some kids receive only 2 meals a day so this is something that would be appreciated. Theresa and Jerome’s daughters will once again do the baking but since they both have jobs they may need to purchase a few boxes to have enough for everyone.

So here’s what we’re suggesting…..If you have room in your box stick in a few cans of meat or tuna for sandwiches, or a bag of popping corn, marshmallows, cocoa, or a bag of candy.  If you want to contribute to to the other needs (bread, chicken, veggies, etc.)  monetary donations would be welcome and can be sent here to this 501c3 that works with us in Wanblee.  No donation is too small, any amount is greatly appreciated.  Lakota Friends Circle’s website should be up soon and a direct deposit will be possible in the future but for now we have to do it this way.  If they don’t get enough funding for the food they will go back to the original plan of cookies and hot chocolate.

Lakota Friends Circle

c/o Anne Fields

2415 Amberbrook Lane

Grayson GA 30017

Donations for the fruit and nut bags for the children can also be made to the above address, they will need to purchase these items by the 11th.

Peanuts 25lb box – $35.00 x 3

Apples 100 count – $26.00 x 3

Oranges 100 count box – $35.00 x 3

Again no amount is too small, since many of you have already given plenty for the party now might be the time to ask friends, family, or coworkers to chip in a few dollars for the cause.  Small donations add up quickly.

This is the last SFK project for 2014.  We will post projects for next year in a few days and will have a blog about the party and our accomplishments of the past year, but then we’re all going to take a break and enjoy our family and friends off the Rez until January 1, 2015.

We want to send out a special thanks to all of you for making this Christmas party a reality for the kids.  Although many of you help with most of the activities on the Rez, SFK only “officially” helps with the Easter and Christmas parties, the latter being the big event of the year with the most people attending and the one kids are most excited about.   To the kids and to us YOU are the BEST!

October /November 2014 News in Wanblee

November is Native American Heritage month, you can read more about why it was established here and here are some ways you can celebrate the month.  October proved to be a very busy month on the Rez.  Bernadette’s home is now officially finished and she’s all moved in, before and after pictures are below.  Bob, Jerome’s old construction friend, brought men from his company to the Rez and paid them to finish up all the things that were not completed by the group who started the project due to time constraints.  Needless to say, Bernadette is ecstatic and wants to thank all of you that sent things for her new home.   Hearts of the Sacred Spirit  provided her a new wood stove and refrigerator.  Bob and his wife Mary have formed a new 501c3 and plan to fundraise to help build a community building and to rehab local homes in need of repair.  Jerome has come up with some plans for the building that would encompass the needs of the community.  I’m sure it will need tweaking but it’s a start and at this stage only a dream.  A community center is needed as the Kennedy Hall is often not available for events and activities and is also expensive to rent – $50 each time it’s used and then there’s the tribal politics one must deal with.

Wanblee has been working on creating a volunteer fire department, desperately needed as presently homes that have a fire usually burn to the ground.  Fires are a real danger in homes without electricity using candles for light and burning wood in stoves improperly installed or in poor condition.  The men found an old “fire truck”that they rehabbed and then asked around to see if  anyone could help with equipment.  Jerome asked an old friend, a former coach of the NY Mets, if he knew anyone who could help them.  He did and two firemen from Virginia came to the Rez with equipment for the new department.  They were welcomed with a special dinner and were given a star quilt which the men are taking back to display in their station.  Jerome took the men for a tour of the Rez and to Bear Butte and hosted them for the week.  There might be another truck for the force if all goes as planned.  Jerome hopes more firemen will come visit the Rez and help educate and train the Wanblee firefighters.

The sewing circle ladies have met a few times but hope to meet more often during the long winter days ahead.  They can’t meet as often as they’d like, sometimes it’s difficult to come up with the $50 fee needed to rent the building.  Theresa allows women that need a sewing machine to take one home to use with the understanding it must be brought back when the group meets.  She felt it didn’t make sense to have machines sitting idle when women could be busy making quilts or other items for their families at home.  Some women are working on quilts, others on ribbon shirts, Theresa has made some pillows.  One lady made her first blouse, although it did need quite a bit of help from the more seasoned sewers, still it was a great first attempt at a sewing project.   Another sewing machine has been donated by Karen Johnson, a friend of our great supporter and talented sewer, Kerry Robertson, who told her about us. Kerry also was involved with helping with the purchase. Thank you ladies !  Batting, fabric and thread are an ongoing need for the group so if you have any extra add it to your next box going to the Rez. Jerome and Theresa have held some “fitting” days for the kids so they can come and try on the clothes we send so they get a good fit and pick out their favorite colors and styles too.  These are held in their home and they make it a little extra special by serving donuts and hot chocolate or cider.   Events such as this couldn’t happen without the generosity of all of you.  Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall and see them leaving in their new clothes?

The Woodchucks are very busy cutting wood and delivering it to those in need.  Funding from LIHEAP (low energy heating assistance program) has been delayed so those who have wood stoves are using them to heat their homes until funds come in for propane. Each family needing heating assistance must apply and it’s on a first come first served basis.  They receive about $250-$300 per year which helps a little but so much more is needed as winters are long and cold and homes are poorly insulated.  Thankfully our SFK volunteers have been sending lots of warm coats, clothing and blankets to the kids and their families.  Hearts of the Sacred Spirit, our “mother organization” is currently fundraising for propane, utility hook ups and the wood program which includes purchasing woodstoves.  If you can, please consider a donation to help families stay warm this winter.  Jerome has already put in two requests for propane for elders and we can assure you it won’t be the last.

Another project that might be receiving funds are community college scholarships, more news on that when we receive it.   There’s also an organization that might be donating funds for two vocational scholarships, $1500 per semester for a total of four semesters.  There are some students in the community who want to learn automotive, electrical and plumbing skills.  I was telling Jerome and Theresa it would be great if they had a place where students could work on  homework after school.  With so many of the students living in overcrowded homes it must be  difficult to find a quiet place to study.  Jerome said there was an after school program available at the school and college students volunteer to come and help those who need it.

Halloween came and went, I didn’t dress up for the day but the kids and the families we help on the Rez sure did and they attended a party held for them on October 25th.  Preparations took 3 days to complete which included decorating the Kennedy Hall, preparing the chili and fry bread and making all the booths for the carnival.  There were about 15 game booths with the Woodchucks building five of them from recycled wood and other materials using the construction skills they learned from Jerome.  Over 300 kids attended, mainly from Wanblee but also from across the Rez and from Rosebud Reservation.  Kids dressed up in their costumes and made a procession through town so those who didn’t attend the party could join in the celebration and feel included.

The tribal president made an appearance, not just for the celebration but also to put a plug in for his campaign.  Tribal council members from Rosebud who attended wanted to know how they could set up a  similar event for their kids. This party as well as all the community events are possible because of many dedicated volunteers all working together. Each event they hold brings in new volunteers to help with the work load.  There’s a strong community spirit brewing in Wanblee as people realize it takes the entire community, not just Jerome and Theresa, working for the common good to bring about positive changes.

Before any party begins it’s customary to say a blessing for all the people who helped make the day possible and to put up a list of donors – we’re known as Friends of the Lakota.  NAHA was a big supporter of the event as they brought down several costumes for the kids and lots of Halloween decorations as you see in the photos and some stuff for prizes.  The decorations are stored in the truck for next year but the kids took their costumes home.  They were told to keep them in a safe place so they could bring them to the party next year and exchange for a different one.  Theresa’s sister helped make cakes for the cake walk and many others helped Theresa make the chili (they used 30 lbs. of ground beef!) and fry bread.   Many SFK volunteers sent in Halloween candy and trinkets that were used for the fish pond, etc. but anyone that has sent anything to the High Horse’s the past few months helped too as some of those things were given out as prizes too – such as the coats used for ring toss prizes.  A Sew For Kids Volunteer provided the food for the main meal- pumpkin pies,  chili ingredients and flour for the fry bread. Theresa has promised to share her bread recipe with us.  The meat had to be purchased locally at a higher cost because Jerome and Theresa don’t have a freezer large enough to hold that much food.

When the storage truck gets wired for electric we may want to do a drive to raise funds for a freezer.  It would be nice to have a place to keep food for parties but the main reason is for storing food to be given out to hungry families.   They want to have a small pantry in the truck so they have food available when they receive calls or have people come knocking on their door for help.  A freezer would allow them to take advantage of grocery sales and stock up at lower prices.  Wanblee is in an isolated area many miles from the nearest grocery store so having food available in the truck would save time and money spent driving around looking for food.   Kids often stop by after school looking for something to eat as they know there will be nothing to eat at home. Theresa and Jerome also feed the Woodchucks and many of the people who come to volunteer. The hope is that one of the two newly formed 501c3’s can get the High Horse’s into the food bank in Rapid City where food can be purchased for  18 cents a pound.  Of course that means donations would have to be made monthly to that organization so funds would be available.

The next event for Wanblee is the Thanksgiving and Sobriety dinner scheduled for November 22nd with 300 people expected to attend.  The addiction organizations on the Rez will pay for a live band and encourage those who are dealing with a drug or alcohol problem to seek help.  The High Horses have asked for help with food from the organizations that help the area.  They need pie filling, cranberries, instant potatoes, canned sweet potatoes/yams, cake mixes, drink mixes, tea, stuffing.  If you would like to help and plan on sending a box to the Rez before the dinner just toss in something from the list.  Also needed are sponsors to help purchase the following:  6 Turkeys $20-22 each, 6 Hams $12-14 each,  and 3 cases of pies (12 per case) $28 each.  Donations can be made through Lakota Friends Circle which are tax deductible.  If you can help let us know here.  NAHA does not usually bring food on their trucks and Running Strong tends to help with Christmas dinners for families in need so the High Horses are not expecting help from those groups. Here is the address for Lakota Friends Circle.

Lakota Friends Circle

c/o Anne Fields

2415 Amberbrook Lane

Grayson GA 30017

Once again Jerome and Theresa weren’t intending to have a party but the community asked them to please have one if at all possible. Sew For Kids will only commit our volunteers to officially help with the Easter and Christmas parties and let larger groups help with other events.  We’re a small sewing group comprised of people of all ages but a good majority of our members are seniors living on fixed incomes or parents raising children.  We don’t want to burn out our generous volunteers with constant requests for help.  Some of you can and may want to do more, that’s why we’re listing the requests, we don’t expect you to donate to every need.  Take care of your family first and give when you can.   There may be another group joining us for next year’s Christmas celebration, the more the merrier and it lessens the burden when we all share the load.

Many of Santa’s SFK elves are busy in their workshops making things for Christmas.  Our Facebook group, Sew For Kids Volunteers , Ravelry group and our Yahoo Sew For Lakota Kids  group are busy making dresses, PJ’s, pillowcases (some with new pillows), quilts, craft kits, baby clothes, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, slippers, teddy bears, dolls and softies.  Some are sending games, puzzles and books too.  I went to a garage sale this past weekend and got some great gifts for kids aged 3-6.   I want to put a request in for some balls for the kids as they love to play soccer, basketball , football and baseball.   Young children just like to throw balls which helps with developing coordination skills and girls love to skip rope.  Exercise is so important for kids on the Rez, diabetes is rampant and  diets not very healthy.

One of our volunteers, Cheryl Torres sent the High Horses a doll house donated by her granddaughters and she purchased the dolls to go with it.  A little girl named Sophia received the doll house and was delighted to receive her Christmas gift early. In the picture she is wearing a Dress A Girl Around the World Dress , from one of our many  volunteers. Toys aren’t cheap to buy so we need to find ways to make used toys seem new, presentation is key.  If you find good deals and can afford it send new.  For those of you reading our blog for the first time, check out this past blog to see what’s needed for the Christmas party on December 13th.  Gifts for the party should be sent here after Thanksgiving but by the beginning of the first week of December. The High Horses said toys  can be wrapped if you choose but should be labeled girl/boy with an age range.  Clothing items should be left unwrapped as kids come in all sizes. Well that’s all the news for now, the next blog will go into more detail about the Christmas party.  In the meantime Santa’s confident his elves will get their work done for the kids of Wanblee.  Thanks from Sew For Kids for all you do throughout the year, not just at the holiday season.  We have the best volunteers!!

Books , Puzzles and Games

Time to put a plug in for a few other things on the Christmas list, especially for those who either aren’t crafty or don’t have a lot of time to craft.  Many of our dedicated volunteers are busy making quilts, craft bags, dolls, stuffed animals, warm hats and scarves and clothing. Winter is long and cold on the Rez and it isn’t always easy to get outside to play, especially if you don’t have a coat and warm clothing to wear.  We’re hoping that will change this year with all the coats and warm things that have been shipped to the Rez these past few weeks.   Kids need to have something to do while cooped up indoors and we want to keep those young minds active and learning and of course having fun too.

Some Rez families have a TV,  often purchased at a garage sale on their travels off the Rez, but reception in many areas is poor or nonexistent.  If they can afford $35 for a DVD player, they can watch movies but sometimes the choices aren’t appropriate for younger kids.  Most  people need to save all the money they have to heat their homes and feed their families so a TV or DVD player is a luxury item usually found in homes where a family members(s) has been lucky enough to find a job.  This is one of the reasons Jerome and Theresa sponsor movie nights for the kids when they can afford the $50 fee to rent the Kennedy Hall.   There are no movie theaters on the Rez and even if there were people couldn’t afford the admission price.  If you have any DVD’s  or VHS movies you no longer need, please think of sending them to Jerome for movie night or for families that are lucky enough to own a TV and DVD player.

We all love to watch TV but we want to limit the amount of time kids spend in front of one as it is passive learning and we want kids learning actively.   These days kids are exposed to too much violence, inappropriate sexual content and commercials on TV that contributes nothing to healthy mental development and simply gives children the wrong message.   That’s why we’re asking for donations of books, puzzles, crafts, games and sports equipment so kids can pass their time in a more healthy, constructive way.

Many Rez kids are at least 2 years behind the national standard in part because they don’t have books.    With school funding cuts across the nation items like books aren’t readily available in some schools and classrooms.  For some Rez classes only the teacher has a book and  copies of workbook activities have to be made or they make use of the blackboard. Recent studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics says kids should be reading at a very early age, not likely to happen without books.  Kids who aren’t exposed to books don’t have the vocabulary of kids that are and most never catch up.

Books are great to have so kids can interact with their parents in a positive way.  Remember the warm, cozy feeling you got after being read a favorite story by your parents before drifting off to sleep or how about reading that really good book with a flashlight under the covers after “lights out” was called?   My grandkids love to be read to while eating a snack or if they’re tired and need some cuddling.  Books expose kids to people, places, ideas, concepts, morals and things they would never see or hear about unless they read it in a book.   Kids without books are at a real disadvantage when competing with kids that have them.  This Pinterest site tells us What Books Teach Us.   Books just for the story content are great, but also consider sending books on topics that interested you as a child or teenager.   Kids love to look at books with maps, stars and planets, animals, sea creatures, insects, music/composers, and even how-to or DIY books and let’s not forget how much fun the I-spy books are. Make an I spy book for the younger child from your fabric scraps. Don’t forget about a felt interactive book for a toddler. They would love them. You can also find panels of material to make books, many times on sale.

For the younger set books that teach concepts like letters, words, numbers, and shapes are good and stuffed animals or puppets accompanying a story book makes an interactive gift, kids can retell the story in their own words.  For older kids a pencil and tablet of paper can be attached to the book so they can write their own story, thoughts, etc.  Sending books to WIC and the daycare center is a project we might want to help with in the future.  Education is the key to getting them out of poverty.

Puzzles, like books, have great teaching attributes as well.  Remember as kids working together on a jigsaw puzzle?  Young kids love to master puzzles by doing it over and over again and many teach concepts needed to get them ready for kindergarten.   Puzzles, like books, allow kids to see things they may never see in real life such as the solar system or a map of Africa, etc.   Kids brains are programmed to learn so the more they’re exposed to new concepts, etc  the more neural connections they make which continues to increase the more they expand their knowledge base.   Consider making or buying a bag to keep all those puzzles pieces together and for easy transporting to school or grandma’s house.

Games are another “game changer”, they can be played alone or with friends and family members and can offer hours of entertainment.  Video games seem to have replaced the old board games with a lot of kids, but most kids on the Rez don’t have them and they require batteries and/or electricity so not something we want to send.  These articles show games have a lot to offer starting at a young age and as we get older.  Many of the classic games we  played as  kids have stood the test of time and are still popular today; Scrabble, Monopoly, Clue, Life, Chutes and Ladders, Candy land, etc. for board games and the always popular bingo, checkers, tic-tac-toe, memory games, charades, etc. And dont’t forget about a pack of cards and a card game book.   Tell us about your favorite game and where we can find it on sale. Pinterest has lots of games to make if you google games and Pinterest.

Any of the requested gifts can be sent but please consider sending a book, game or puzzle too.  Not only do they help kids develop life skills but they also help promote family and other social relationships so important for survival in today’s world.  If you’re crafty some of the games can be made like I-Spy, tic-tac-toe, checkers, charades, and memory games.  Quilts are used for warmth but  can also teach skills to kids by what’s on the front  – a map, tic tac toe, numbers, colors, letters, checker pattern, etc.

Please send your items here after Thanksgiving day and by the end of the first week of December so the party planners on the Rez have time to get the gifts ready for the Christmas party on December 13, 2014.

A big thanks from SFK to all our generous volunteers for helping make this holiday season special for the Rez kids.

Photos

Craft Bags for Christmas

Our last blog listed many gift ideas, one of them being craft bags.  One of our goals for the kids is to send things that are fun but also encourage learning and skill building.  Reading, playing games, putting together puzzles, playing ball and crafting are just a few of the ways kids learn and have fun too. Making a craft bag is an excellent gift idea for non-crafters, kids or for those short on time.  Theresa told me  about a girl who was given beads from some of the Youthworks teens this summer and immediately started making necklaces and bracelets.  These weren’t the same beads Native Americans use to make their beautifully beaded crafts, but still this girl was inspired to start creating something from these simple beads and even wished for more so she could make gifts for her family and friends.

Craft bags don’t have to be expensive but they do need the basic craft materials along with instructions which can be handwritten or typed, and a bag or plastic container to hold everything.  Probably the most important requirements are listing the recommended age on your kit and making sure everything is non toxic, especially glue and paint.  Beads and other small items are not recommended for children under 3.  If in doubt look at the age limits printed on the item you’re including in your bag. Also think about visiting the craft section of your library if you need some templates for some of the projects.

There are plenty of ideas on the web, this St. Jude’s Pinterest page  and this  list from a hospital are two good ones, more good ones are here, here , and here .   These are just suggestions, we don’t expect you to include every idea in your kit, use what you have on hand or what you can afford, tailor it to your budget and time.  These kids don’t have any craft supplies so they will be thrilled with whatever you make.  If you have kids or grandkids ask their opinions of your ideas or better yet let them help with the project.  For the under 3 crowd there are plenty of Busy Bag sites you can use for ideas and you can include a book that teaches a skill.

Other suggestions:

• Play dough bag – attach the recipe but add 3- 4 containers of playdough,  a roller, cookie cutters, plastic knife, etc. Laminate a piece of paper with contact paper or use a piece of an old vinyl shower curtain. Or if you like you can find free playdough mats on google.
• Clay bag – add air dry clay and then some washable markers to paint the item when dry and a mat to work on
• Stencil bag – Include stencils (can make your own), a package of washable markers  or paints /brush and paper. Might give some masking  tape to hold the corners of the paper still.  Add a T-shirt and fabric crayons for more fun .
• Lacing/sewing  kit for toddlers – Cut out cardboard shapes, color, laminate with clear contact paper, punch holes and add shoe laces to “sew” with. Look at the possibilities.
• tin foil art – some aluminum foil and let a child sculpt animals or whatever.
• Origami -a simple book on origami and supplies.
• Fingerprint art -A non toxic stamper, paper, colored pencils or crayons and a book on using fingers to make designs.
• Handprint art – non toxic paint in a few colors, paper and  a book with ideas.
• Leaf art- leaf  art book, glue and paper.
• Rock painting -  throw in a few rocks, non toxic markers or paint and some designs to try.
• Jewelry kits – Embroidery floss, jute, elastic cord, etc. and beads, buttons and instructions.
• Sewing kit -  to make a doll, sock animal, puppet.  Include thread, scissors, stuffing, fabric, pattern and directions or get a pre-printed panel at the fabric store.
• Paper doll kit - Cut out paper dolls.  Provide fabric to make clothing for the doll Can use velcro to stick on the outfits. Sometimes you can find a girl or boy doll in a coloring book to use
• Card making  – Card stock, colored pencils and markers, stickers, etc. and instructions.
• Knitting or Crochet bag  – WW or bulky yarn, needles or hook to match and “How To” book or instructions.
• Loom bag- small plastic loom, hook, yarn, directions to to make a hat, etc. Loads of idea for loom items.
• Embroidery  kit –  Project to embroider, embroidery thread and needles, small hoop and directions on stitches to use.
• Stamp kits - non toxic ink pads, stamps; numbers, letters, animals, etc. and paper pad.
• Drawing kit – 2B pencils, eraser, sharpener, colored pencils an “How To” drawing book. For smaller kids can make your own sketchbook.
• Sandpaper art – Cut out numbers, letters and have child color over them on paper. Include crayons, paper and scissors to cut them out. Or use on a T shirt. Lots of ideas on Pinterest.
• Drawing board – erasable whiteboard, erasable crayons, eraser or cloth.
• Chalk blackboard  – Include chalk and cloth for erasing or small eraser.
• Duct tape crafts - Give a few fun duct tape rolls and some activities.
• Leather kit- piece of leather cut for a wallet, needles, lacing and directions.
• Coloring pages kit- Crayons, pencils and pages or activity/coloring books. Make a pencil or crayon roll for the set.
• Premade hand puppets to decorate - Base on a story book you include and supplies. Can cut off the fingers of a glove to make puppet kits.
• Finger paint kit – finger paints, freezer paper, and a small bib type apron.
• Create a story book – plain and lined paper, pencils, crayons, binder, story ideas. You can also find stories for younger  kids to sequence and color. Older kids can use this type of sequencing
• Create a personal journal/diary – Include stickers, etc. for decorating and special pen. Make a holder for the diary and supplies
• Knot kit – cording and a book on making knots and their uses
• Popsicle stick art projects
• Recycled items crafts  Lots of fun ideas to make

On another note,  our Sew For Kids Facebook site is no longer just a page on my personal facebook page, we now have a group page  “Sew For Kids Volunteers.”  This is a page for crafters as well as non-crafters that prefer to donate purchased items.  We would love to have you join us and welcome anyone that wants to help the children of Pine Ridge.  We still have the Yahoo group  for those who are not Facebook users and  the Ravelry group for our knitters and crocheters.  Information will be posted on all sites.

If you have ideas for craft kits/bags please share with us. We would love to put together a list of bags to make for other holidays, party favors, etc.  Remember the Christmas clock is ticking.  Donations should be sent to the High Horses by the end of the first week of December.   Thanks from Sew For Kids.