This is the latest in the diary series on the emergency situation on South Dakota reservations as a result of severe winter weather.
It is long past time for our elected representatives to be held to account for this situation. It is long past time for our national media to cover this story. This diary contains tools to help you do both. Please, take five minutes out of your day to use them: You could save a life. And please continue to rec these diaries to keep them on the rec list, and to keep these issues in readers' minds and hearts.
Tools over the jump, and a bit of great news at the end.
For those who are able to donate financially, please consider this, per Chris Rodda:
"I just got off the phone with our Pine Ridge ...
... contact, Autumn Two Bulls, and she told me what's currently most needed there. Most importantly, there is a new list of 40 families who desperately need propane for heat. Unfortunately, the propane company is now closed for the weekend, but if you want to help, please call the Lakota Plains Propane Company at 605-867-5199 on Monday and and directly pay for someone's propane delivery. The propane company has the names of the families, so just tell them you want to pay for someone on Autumn's list. There is a $120 minimum for a propane delivery, so, those of you who can afford that much, please direct your donations to this."
And translatorpro notes that Pine Ridge can expect more sub-zero wind chills at night.
WHAT TO DO
This is a long holiday weekend, and politicians' offices will be closed until Tuesday. Congress will be on recess next week, but you can still reach their staffers at their local offices. And the media take calls and e-mails 24/7/365.
DISASTER DECLARATION AND FEDERAL $$
One of the things most needed now is a federal disaster declaration, triggering the release of federal funds and other resources. Read here to find out about the process and where the apparent stumbling block is, and what kinds of aid it will provide.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs now has a statement at the top of its Web site regarding Cheyenne River, with additional information about efforts affecting other areas of the state. Much of the statement is simple CYA; some of it itemizes concrete actions. But the money quote is is in the last - which readers will see only if they click on the "Read more" link:
Note:
• Additional federal funds will become available if the Governor issues a disaster declaration for the affected area.
So now, I think we can say with some certainty that we know exactly where the roadblock is. It's time to flood South Dakota politicans' offices with demands that the governor do his job.
SOUTH DAKOTA ELECTED OFFICIALS
SOUTH DAKOTA EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Mike Rounds (R)
Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3212
Web contact form
Dennis Daugaard (R)
Lt. Governor
Note: Daugaard's Web site applet doesn't function properly, so I can't access his contact information.
SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
State Senate
Julie Bartling (D), District 26 (includes Mellette, Todd, & Tripp Counties)
P.O. Box 256
Burke, S.D. 57523-0256
605.775.2937
Jim Bradford (R), District 27 (includes Pine Ridge Reservation; Jackson & Shannon Counties)
P.O. Box 690
Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770-0690
605.867.5369
Ryan Maher (D), District 28 (includes Cheyenne River Reservation; Dewey & Ziebach Counties)
P.O. Box 237
Isabel, S.D. 57633-0237
605.466.2389
State House of Representatives
Larry Lucas (D), District 26A (Rosebud Reservation; Mellette & Todd Counties)
P.O. Box 182
Mission, S.D. 57555-0182
605.856.2439
Kim Vanneman (R), District 26B (Rosebud Reservation; Tripp County)
31148 269th St.
Ideal, S.D. 57541
605.842.2751
Ed Iron Cloud, III (D), District 27 (Pine Ridge Reservation; Jackson & Shannon Counties)
P.O. Box 172
Porcupine, S.D. 57772
(No phone listed)
Kevin Killer (D), District 27 (Pine Ridge Reservation; Jackson & Shannon Counties)
P.O. Box 322
Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770-0322
605.454.8105
Dean Schrempp (D), District 28A (Cheyenne River Reservation; Dewey & Ziebach Counties)
P.O. Box 62
Lantry, S.D. 57636
605.964.6541
STATE AGENCIES AND OFFICIALS
South Dakota Department of Public Safety (This is the state emergency management agency)
Tom Dravland, Secretary
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, S.D. 57501
605.773.3178
E-mail: DPSinfo@state.sd.us
I've included the list of state senators and representatives for the districts that include the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, and Rosebud reservations. These people (allegedly) represent the folks who live on these reservations. It's time to pressure them to force the governor's hand on behalf of their constituents, whose very lives are at risk.
TALKING POINTS
- Be polite, but be direct. Do not accuse anyone of incompetence, corruption, or racism; that will get your message ignored, and encourage them to drag their feet even more.
- The reservations have been coping with the results of severe weather since December 17, 2009 - for two full months.
- People's lives are at risk, particularly elders, children, and those with medical conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, etc.).
- Why has no disaster declaration been issued that would free federal $$ and other resources to aid people?
- The governor needs to issue a declaration - TODAY.
- If speaking to a state legislator, ask what concrete steps that person will take to help ensure that the governor does his job.
- Let them know that you're conversant with the issues: You know the process for getting a disaster declaration; it is the essential step in getting $$ and aid flowing; and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee says that the governor has not issued one.
- Ask them who else they would suggest contacting to ensure that this happens.
- Thank them for their time, and let them know that you will be following up with relevant officials, agencies, and the media.
I'm including DHS/FEMA contacts again, as well. Remember: These folks can't do anything until the governor issues a disaster declaration, triggering the aid process. However, it would be useful simply to make occasional follow-up calls to the DHS/FEMA leadership and to their tribal liaisons, simply to let them know that people care about this issue and will not forget about it. It might be encouraging for them to know that you're pressuring state officials, and that you're contacting media to do likewise - you never know what comment or interaction may show up in a news release, OpEd, or speech.
FEDERAL AGENCIES (DHS/FEMA)
Department of Homeland Security
Janet Napolitano, Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Operator Number: 202-282-8000
Comment Line: 202-282-8495
Federal Emergency Management Agency
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator
U.S. Department of Homeland Security | Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
Disaster Assistance: (800) 621-FEMA
TTY (800) 462-7585
FEMA Tribal contacts:
Steven M. Golubic
FEMA Tribal Liaison
Office of External Affairs
Desk: 202-646-4264
Fax: 202-646-3397
Email: steven.golubic@dhs.gov
Linda Straka
E-mail: Linda.Straka@dhs.gov
Telephone: (301) 447-1162
Tribal Region VIII contacts:
Jeanine Petterson, Division Director
E-Mail: jeanine.petterson@dhs.gov
Telephone: (303) 235-4830
Cathy Brock, Secretary
E-Mail: catherine.brock@dhs.gov
Telephone: (303) 235-4830
Tony Mendes, Mitigation Disaster Cadre Contact
E-Mail: tony.mendes@dhs.gov
Telephone: (303) 235-4790
Next up, the Indian Affairs Committee: Keep the heat on. Contact them at their local offices. Let them know that they have a crucial role to play in pressuring Governor Rounds to issue the disaster declaration. Committee members, particularly the Republicans, are more than capable of sufficient arm-twisting to get the job done - but they need an incentive to do that. You provide the incentive.
U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
Main Committee Contact:
Committee on Indian Affairs
Allison Binney, Staff Director and Chief Counsel
United States Senate
838 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2251
comments@indian.senate.gov
Members:
Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Chair
Washington, D.C. Office:
322 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
Phone (202) 224-2551
Fax (202) 224-1193
Bismarck Office:
312 Federal Building
PO Box 2579
Bismarck, ND 58502
Phone (701) 250-4618
Phone (800) 666-4482
Fax (701) 250-4484
Fargo Office:
1802 32nd Ave South Suite B
PO Box 9060
Fargo, ND 58106
Phone (701) 239-5389
Phone (800) 666-4482
Fax (701) 239-5112
Minot Office:
100 1st Street, SW
Suite 105
Minot, ND 58701
Phone (701) 852-0703
Phone (800) 666-4482
Fax (701) 838-8196
Grand Forks Office:
102 North 4th Street,
Room 108
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone (701) 746-8972
Phone (800) 666-4482
Fax (701) 746-9122
John Barasso (R-WY), Vice Chair
Washington, D.C. Office:
307 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-6441
Fax: 202-224-1724
Tollfree: 866-235-9553
Casper Office:
100 East B Street
Suite 2201
Casper, WY 82602
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 22201
Casper, WY 82602
Main: 307-261-6413
Cheyenne Office:
2120 Capitol Avenue
Suite 2013
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Main: 307-772-2451
Riverton Office:
325 West Main Street
Suite F
Riverton, WY 82501
Main: 307-856-6642
Rock Springs Office:
2632 Foothill Boulevard
Suite 101
Rock Springs, WY 82901
Main: 307-362-5012
Sheridan Office:
2 North Main Street
Suite 206
Sheridan, WY 82801
Main: 307-672-6456
Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Washington, D.C. Office:
141 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Telephone: (202) 224-6361
Fax: (202) 224-2126
Hilo Office:
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 213
Hilo, HI 96720
Telephone: (808) 935-1114
Fax: (808) 935-9064
Honolulu Office:
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 3-106
Box 50144
Honolulu, HI 96850
Telephone: (808) 522-8970
Fax: (808) 545-4683
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Washington, D.C. Office:
511 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3441
202-228-0514 - FAX
202-224-8273 - TDD
Toll-Free Number for State Offices:
1-888-648-7328
Central Washington Office:
825 Jadwin Avenue,
Suite 205
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 946-8106
(509) 946-6937 - FAX
Northwest Washington Office:
2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 9B
Everett, WA 98201
425-303-0114
425-303-8351 FAX
Seattle Office:
915 Second Avenue
Suite 3206
Seattle, WA 98174
206-220-6400
206-220-6404 - FAX
Spokane Office:
U.S. Federal Courthouse
W. 920 Riverside, Suite 697
Spokane, WA 99201
509-353-2507
509-353-2547 - FAX
Southwest Washington Office:
Marshall House
1313 Officers Row
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-696-7838
360-696-7844 - FAX
Tacoma Office:
950 Pacific Avenue, Suite 615
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-572-2281
253-572-5879 FAX
Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Washington D.C. Office:
172 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-5754
Fax: 202-224-6008
Oklahoma City Office:
100 North Broadway
Suite 1820
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Main: 405-231-4941
Fax: 405-231-5051
Tulsa Office:
1800 South Baltimore
Suite 800
Tulsa, OK 74119
Main: 918-581-7651
Fax: 918-581-7195
Kent Conrad (D-ND)
Washington, D.C. Office:
530 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-3403
Phone: (202) 224-2043
Fax: (202) 224-7776
Online: http://conrad.senate.gov/...
E-mail: https://conrad.senate.gov/...
Toll-free Phone: 1-800-223-4457
Bismarck Office:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 228
220 East Rosser Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 258-4648
Fax: (701) 258-1254
Fargo Office:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 306
657 2nd Avenue North
Fargo, ND 58102
Phone: (701) 232-8030
Fax: (701) 232-6449
Grand Forks Office:
33 S 3rd St., Suite B
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone: (701) 775-9601
Fax: (701) 746-1990
Minot Office:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 105
100 1st Street SW
Minot, ND 58701
Phone: (701) 852-0703
Fax: (701) 838-8196
Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Washington, D.C. Office:
239 Dirksen Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6142
Fax: (202) 228-1375
Idaho State Office:
251 East Front Street
Suite 205
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: (208) 334-1776
Fax: (208) 334-9044
Eastern Idaho, North Office:
410 Memorial Drive
Suite 204
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Phone: (208) 522-9779
Fax: (208) 529-8367
Eastern Idaho, South Office:
275 South 5th Avenue
Suite 225
Pocatello, ID 83201
Phone: (208) 236-6775
Fax: (208) 236-6935
North Idaho Office:
610 Hubbard Street
Suite 209
Coeur d' Alene, ID 83814
Phone: (208) 664-5490
Fax: (208) 664-0889
North-Central Idaho Office:
313 'D' Street
Suite 105
Lewiston, ID 83501
Phone: (208) 743-1492
Fax: (208) 743-6484
South-Central Idaho Office:
202 Falls Avenue
Suite 2
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: (208) 734-2515
Fax: (208) 733-0414
Southwestern Idaho Office:
524 East Cleveland Blvd.
Suite 220
Caldwell, ID 83605
Phone: (208) 455-0360
Fax: (208) 455-0358
Al Franken (D-MN
Washington, D.C. Office:
320 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5641
Duluth Office:
515 W 1st St
Suite 104
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-2390
Saint Cloud Office:
916 W St. Germain St.
Suite 110
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 251-2721
Saint Paul Office:
60 East Plato Blvd
Suite 220
Saint Paul, MN 55107
(651) 221-1016
Saint Peter Office:
208 S Minnesota Ave
Suite 6
Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 931-5813
Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
Washington, D.C. Office:
722 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-1102
Phone: 202-224-3934
Fax: 202-224-6747
Hilo Office:
101 Aupuni Street, #205
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: 808-935-0844
Fax: 808-961-5163
Honolulu Office:
300 Ala Moana Boulevard
Room 7-212
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-4975
Phone: 808-541-2542
Fax: 808-541-2549
Mike Johanns (R-NE)
Washington, D.C. Office:
404 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-4224
Fax: (202) 228-0436
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Kearney Office:
4111 Fourth Avenue, Suite 26
Kearney, NE 68845
Tel: (308) 236-7602
Fax: (308) 236-7473
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CST
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST Fri
Lincoln Office:
294 Federal Building 100 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, NE 68508
Tel: (402) 476-1400
Fax: (402) 476-0605
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST
Omaha Office:
9900 Nicholas St., Suite 325
Omaha, NE 68114
Tel: (402) 758-8981
Fax: (402) 758-9165
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Scottsbluff Office:
115 Railway Street, Suite C102
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Tel: (308) 632-6032
Fax: (308) 632-6295
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. MST
Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Washington, D.C. Office:
136 Hart Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5842
Fax: (202)228-5765
Toll Free from anywhere in South Dakota: 1-800-537-0025
Agriculture Hotline: (800) 819-0788
Aberdeen Office:
320 S. First St. Suite 103
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Phone: (605) 226-3440
Fax: (605) 226-2439
Rapid City Office:
405 E. Omaha St., Suite B
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: (605) 341-3990
Fax: (605) 341-2207
Sioux Falls Office:
5015 S. Bur Oak Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
Phone: (605) 332-8896
Fax: (605) 332-2824
John McCain (R-AZ)
Washington, D.C. Office:
241 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main: (202) 224-2235
Fax: (202) 228-2862
Phoenix Office:
5353 North 16th Street
Suite 105
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Main: (602) 952-2410
Fax: (602) 952-8702
Prescott Office:
122 North Cortez Street
Suite 108
Prescott, AZ 86301
Main: (928) 445-0833
Fax: (928) 445-8594
Tempe Office:
4703 South Lakeshore Drive
Suite 1
Tempe, AZ 85282
Main: (480) 897-6289
Fax: (480) 897-8389
Tucson Office:
407 West Congress Street
Suite 103
Tucson, AZ 85701
Main: (520) 670-6334
Fax: (520) 670-6637
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Washington, D.C. Office:
709 Hart Senate Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Main: 202-224-6665
Fax: 202-224-5301
Anchorage Office:
510 L Street
Suite 550
Anchorage, AK 99501
Main: 907-271-3735
Fax: 907-276-4081
Toll Free: 1-877-829-6030
Fairbanks Office:
101 12th Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Main: 907-456-0233
Fax: 907-451-7146
Kenai Office:
805 Frontage Road
Suite 105
Kenai, AK 99611
Main: 907-283-5808
Fax: 907-283-4363
Ketchikan Office:
4079 Tongass Avenue
Suite 204
Ketchikan, AK 99901
Main: 907-225-6880
Fax: 907-225-0390
MatSu Office:
851 East Westpoint Drive
Suite 307
Wasilla, AK 99654
Main: 907-376-7665
Fax: 907-376-8526
Jon Tester (D-MT)
Washington, D.C. Office:
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2604
Phone: (202) 224-2644
Fax: (202) 224-8594
Billings Office:
Granite Tower
222 N 32nd Street, Suite 102
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 252-0550
Fax: (406) 252-7768
Bozeman Office:
Avant Courier Building
1 E Main Street, Suite 202
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 586-4450
Fax: (406) 586-7647
Butte Office:
Silver Bow Center
125 W Granite, Suite 200
Butte, MT 59701
Phone: (406) 723-3277
Fax: (406) 782-4717
Glendive Office:
122 W Towne
Glendive, MT 59330
Phone: (406) 365-2391
Fax: (406) 365-8836
Great Falls Office:
119 1st Avenue N, Suite 102
Great Falls, MT 59401
Phone: (406) 452-9585
Fax: (406) 452-9586
Helena Office:
Capital One Center
208 N Montana Avenue, Suite 202
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 449-5401
Fax: (406) 449-5462
Kalispell Office:
14 Third Street E, Suite 230
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 257-3360
Fax: (406) 257-3974
Missoula Office:
130 W Front Street
Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: (406) 728-3003
Fax: (406) 728-2193
Tom Udall (D-NM)
Washington, D.C. Office:
110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510
(202) 224-6621
Albuquerque Office:
219 Central Ave NW
Suite 210
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 346-6791
Las Cruces Office:
Loretto Town Center
505 South Main Suite 118
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 526-5475
Santa Fe Office:
120 South Federal Place
Suite 302
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 988-6511
THE WHITE HOUSE
President Barack H. Obama
202.456.1414
Web contact form
Vice President Joseph Biden
202.456.1414
Web contact form
Kimberly Teehee (Cherokee Nation), President Obama's Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs. No direct number available; call the White House switchboard, 202.456.1414, during regular business hours, to be connected (reports to M. Barnes, below).
Melody Barnes
Domestic Policy Adviser and Director, Domestic Policy Council
No direct number available; call the White House switchboard, 202.456.1414, during regular business hours, to be connected.
TALKING POINTS
- Be polite, but be direct. Do not accuse anyone of incompetence, corruption, or racism; that will get your message ignored, and encourage them to drag their feet even more.
- The reservations have been coping with the results of severe weather since December 17, 2009 - for two full months.
- People's lives are at risk, particularly elders, children, and those with medical conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, etc.).
- Why has no disaster declaration been issued that would free federal $$ and other resources to aid people?
- Ask what concrete steps that person (member of Congress or the Obama Administration) will take to help ensure that the governor does his job.
- Let them know that you're conversant with the issues: You know the process for getting a disaster declaration; it is the essential step in getting $$ and aid flowing; and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee says that the governor has not issued one.
- Ask them who else they would suggest contacting to ensure that this happens.
- Thank them for their time, and let them know that you will be following up with relevant officials, agencies, and the media.
Now, the media. This diary is already far too long, so I'm simply going to link to my media diary from a few days ago. Contacts for the major newspapers and syndicates are there, along with information on word-count requirements, etc. Below is contact info for the major networks:
UPDATE: swampus has put together an invaluable master list of media contact e-mail addresses here.
ABC News
7 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
Web form links for all major ABC News departments/programs here.
CBS News
CBS Headquarters
51 W. 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019-6188
Web form link for all major CBS News departments/programs here.
CNBC
900 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632
United States
201-735-2622
CNBC Viewer Services: 1-877-251-5685
Web form link for all major CNBC News departments/programs here.
CNN
One CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30303
Web form link for all major CNN News departments/programs here.
CNN iReport link here.
C-SPAN
Main Number: (202) 737-3220
Link for all major C-SPAN News departments/programs here.
FOX News
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Link for all major Fox News departments/programs here.
Newsroom e-mail: newsmanager@foxnews.com.
MSNBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112
Web form link for all major MSNBC News departments/programs here.
NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112
Web form link for all major NBC News departments/programs here (same as MSNBC).
PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
2100 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
PBS Viewer Services Web form here.
Web links for major PBS departments here.
TALKING POINTS
- Be polite, but be direct. Do not accuse anyone of incompetence, corruption, or racism; that will get your message ignored, and encourage them to drag their feet even more.
- The reservations have been coping with the results of severe weather since December 17, 2009 - for two full months.
- People's lives are at risk, particularly elders, children, and those with medical conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, etc.).
- No disaster declaration has been issued that would free federal $$ and other resources to aid people.
- Why is their news organization not mounting a full-court press to cover this crisis and ensure that the governor and other elected officials do their jobs to protect their constituents' lives and welfare?
- Let them know that you're conversant with the issues: You know the process for getting a disaster declaration; it is the essential step in getting $$ and aid flowing; and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee says that the governor has not issued one. Refer them to the information you've now read - if necessary, to this diary series.
- Ask them who else they would suggest contacting to ensure proper coverage of this crisis.
- Thank them for their time, and let them know that you will be following up with relevant officials, agencies, and other media.
And now - finally! - come good news:
First, as you already know from previous diaries, Keith Olbermann has picked up on this issue. From navajo's diary last night:
And now tonight's first quick comment and an update on your help
during the crisis on the reservations in South Dakota. Cheyenne River
Tribal Chairman Joe Brings Plenty advises us that about 95% of the
power is back on. The top issue now remains the troubled water
infrastructure. FEMA says, just today, the gathering of information
has been completed, which will l let the administration and the state
issue preliminary damage assessment, the assessment without which FEMA
can't begin to provide funds.
We are sending a producer to South Dakota to get some sense of what is
going on on the ground. As to the charities, which are all still
linked on our site countdown.msnbc.com, your generosity is
overwhelming us and them. Your contributions to Cheyenne River Sioux
Tribe Storm Relief Emergency Assistance are now at about a quarter of
$1 million.
Chairman Brings Plenty told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader newspaper
that the donations will pay for permanent generators and shelters, for
mobile trailers to be used as emergency command centers, for blankets
and pillows, and home repair. "It's amazing", he said, "it actually
started coming before any federal relief came in."
The newspaper also puts this in more visceral terms. Bob Sutton, who
set up that website, rigged his Blackberry to buzz each time there was
a donation online. He was at dinner Tuesday night when we first
mentioned his fund. "It was unbelievable" he said, "I had to go into
the lobby and check it, I thought something was wrong because it just
kept buzzing."
Well done!
And courtesy of SarahLee, Chris Rodda, and translatorpro:
High Rollers Motorcycle Club has apparently adopted St. Francis Energy Company for fundraising - i.e., buying propane for rez families who can't afford it! (As a biker, this makes me very proud.) From their Web site:
"The High Rollers club was intended to bring together motorcycle
enthusiasts who take part in the casino industry...
...We have raised over $250,000 for Cancer Research and donated over
$30,000 to other charitable organizations."
Their next event:
February 20th [Saturday] TWO RIDES!
DAY RIDE - 6th Annual Bordello Run by Thunder Rallys
* High Rollers will meet up at Mr.D's by 9:00 AM, kickstands
up 15 minutes thereafter
* Registration is $30. Includes JOKEHER POKEHER hand, run pin
and a steak dinner
* Benefits go to a non profit organization for Physically
Challenged Young Athletes
* We will stop at some of the more popular whore houses in
pahrump (at least that's what I've heard)
* Live music from the Stormy Davis Band. See you
there . . . .
Last but by no means least, I have to thank all of you for all you have done and continue to do: Donating, shipping, writing, calling, e-mailing, rec'ing tipping, and just providing much-needed moral support for our team of diarists (whose names I am omitting here because I don't want to leave anyone out, and I know we have some new names - they all know how much I love them). From the bottom of my heart, chi miigwech and much love to every one of you.
Now help us get this on the rec list, and help us get the word out!