Weblog «Pathways To Spirit»

One:



We are pleased with how many of you are starting to send beautiful hand knit sweater, booties, hats and blankets.  Some of you even kept going during the summer months.  We are even receiving knitted items from Honolulu, Hawaii.  We took many boxes of knitted clothing last winter and it was so appreciated.  Please tell your friends and knitting circles to join in the fun of making a little happy and cuter than ever.

abo:

Things remain difficult for many of our Lakota friends on the reservations in South Dakota.  The children are in need of clothing.  We usually do not accept clothing but a difficult situation has arisen on the Rosebud Reservation and we need very, very good condition clothing for babies and children up to 16 years old.  These children are the poorest of the poor and need your help.   Please send coats, boots, sweaters, jeans, shirts and shoes for these little ones.



Remember, send something you may be tired of but is in really good condition.  Everyone wants to walk with dignity.



Send to Pathways to Spirit, 4307 Goldeneye Dr., Ft. Collins, CO 80526

Uti:

Nightime temperatures are dropping into the middles 30's on the Pine Ridge Reservation already.  The phone calls for assistance are coming in.  We once again need your help so we can provide propane to those in need.  The minimum order is $150.  Please send your tax-deductible donation as soon as possible.  We will be needing help through March.  Then the green grass starts to pop up and the sage grows again. 



Also we have been asked by the Diabetes Clinics if we could also provide electric heaters for the elderly diabetic patients.  We always purchase the kind that looks like an old fashioned kind of radiator.  Send $45 earmarked for heaters and we will get one to a person in need.



Thanks for always passing the word to friends and relatives.

Uti:

On the weekend of January 23rd another blizzard hit the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota.  6000 electric poles have snapped leaving 17,000 without electricity.  We were informed it could take up to 21 days before electricity is restored.  This means no heat, lights, cooking ability or water.  Shelters have opened but most do not want to leave their home or animals behind due to looting.  Dialysis patients have been evacuated.  Wal Mart trucks have brought in some water but not enough.



At this time we have been asked to help with emergency assistance.  Funding is need to buy hay for horses, dog/cat food, propane, generators and food. 



We have been blessed in the 2009/10 heating season to have received $60,000 in funding from The Sunshine Lady Foundation.  That funding is almost gone.  We need your help as this has been one of the worst winters on record for the Dakotas.  Please continue your generosity and send your checks or donate thru PayPal.  We will be sure that the funding gets where it needs to go. 



Remember, we are all volunteer so your money is wisely used in the places most needed.  Thank you.

Abo:

The reservations of South Dakota have endured one blizzard after another since mid October.  On the weekend of January 23rd a massive blizzard hit the northern reservations -Cheyenne River Reservation and the Standing Rock Reservation.  Cheyenne River has suffered massive electrical outages.  We have been told by the people that there are 6000 electrical poles snapped and over 17,000 will be without electricity for up to 21 days.  This means no heat, lights, or water.   31 shelters have been opened state wide but only 270 people are filling them.  People are afraid to leave their property because of looting and do not want to leave their animals behind.



At this time we urgently need funds for propane, food, water, dog/cat food and hay for the horses.



Please continue your generosity and help either by check or paypal.  Thank you so much



We also want to thank The Sunshine Lady Foundation for their generosity and donating another $30,000 towards the purchase of propane and utilities.  So far, in the 2009/10 heating season this foundation has donated $60,000.  We are extremely grateful for this help.  This sounds like a large sum but it is almost depleted as of this writing.  Please keep those propane donations coming.  Save lives!

abo:

Pathways to Spirit has received recognition in a new book out in the stores.  The book entitled "Spirit of Service: Your Daily Stimulus for Making a Difference", was inspired by President Obama's national call to service.  This daily reader will inspire every reader to meet the challenge of helping others with hope, energy, personal resources and innovation.  We are listed on Page 304 as one of two organizations helping our indigenous people on the reservations.  This book prompts you to engage with short daily readings that explore the many ways you can get involved in service to others.  We hope you are prompted to join us in service to the Lakota on the reservations of South Dakota.  We want your help.  Many of you have expertise in areas that could be of great service to our organization.  With the world wide web you are now able to help from any place on this earth.  Please join us in the blessing of service. 

Abo:

In case you haven't heard from us in a while we want you to know we are still going strong.   Volunteers come and go and so sometimes it is hard for just a few of us to keep in touch.  Many good things have happened over 2009 and some sad ones.  



We want to offer our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Stephanie Schwartz of the Link Center Foundation on her recent passing.  The Link Center Foundation also provides assistance to the reservation and Stephanie was a prolific writer on Native American Issues.  She will be missed by many.  Pathways and the Link Center Foundation are working on how we can help continue their work. 



Last winter, the Barr Foundation provided a prosthetic device to Harvey Iron Boy of Porcupine.  Harvey lost part of his leg below the knee and had no available assistance for a prosthetic device.  After one year, Pathways found the Barr Foundation and they agree to give the device if we could find a prosthetician to provide the fitting.  We found Eric in Rapid City and now our dear friend is up and walking.  Harvey Iron Boy once again is helping his people with finding the things they need to make their lives better.  We are very grateful to all who assisted in making this happen.



The Sacred Voices project is beginning to take shape thanks to Trisha Lea and Rusty Dyer.  Rusty is a documentarian from the Hartford, CT area and has offered his services to begin filming and preserving the wisdom and knowledge of the Lakota people.  By next summer all should be in place to get this project well on its way.   Rusty and Trisha are offering their services but funds are needed to pay expenses.  We look to you for your donations and any help you can give.



A newsletter with more details will be coming in the fall.  If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be, please send us your address.

mis:

We are off to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on Saturday, the 26th of September.  Our 48ft. semi is full with your donations of furniture, appliances, household items and toys.  It's always a fun trip in the fall as the reservation takes on a peaceful beauty.  We will be going to Porcupine which is in the center of the reservation.  We always look forward to seeing all our friends in Porcupine.  There are so many children and elders who come to see what's happening. 

This project always needs volunteers to help pick up furniture and donations from individuals who cannot bring them to our truck.  So, if you can help, give us a call at 970-282-3819.

uti:

Winter is fast approaching the rezervations of South Dakota.  Once again we are asking that you open your hearts to the people who need your help.  Many elders take care of their grandchildren and have little or no income.  Please send your tax deductible donations as soon as possible.  And remember, you can use Pay Pal.



Last year we helped many hundreds of people because of your generosity and especially the generosity of The Sunshine Lady Foundation.  Hopefully we will receive help from then again as well as yours.



Thank you for remembering us always.