As we get closer to Christmas, some folks out there in social media land have declared the advent of 'Giving Tuesday' to join the pantheon of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.
Perhaps to offset the perceived self-centeredness and commercialism, perhaps (if you're cynical) merely to add yet more commercialism to the season. Either way, it can be a tool for good, which puts it a step up on the One Ring.
I would like to invite those of you who have the luxury of being financially stable to join me in using this newest 'holiday' by thinking again, as so many of you have, time and again, of one of DK's favorite charities.
DONATE
by credit card
or PayPal |
Okiciyap is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization
Donate by Check:
Okiciyap
PO Box 172
Isabel, SD 57633
|
Most of you know the story behind the Okiciyap pantry - which is rapidly evolving into a community center, thanks to the vision of Georgia Little Shield, the hard work of the Cheyenne River rezidents, and the warm hearts of Kossacks and visitors to the website. If not, a synopsis is presented at the end of the diary.
And many of you have donated what you could, big or small, to grow that dream into a reality that is improving the lives of all it touches. Today, I'm asking you to think of seasonal dreams. Last year, you made a Thanksgiving Dinner happen for the community, and earlier this year, you made the chore of going back to school easier for the children of the reservation.
It has been suggested that the children of the Rez would like the chance to have a gift exchange for Christmas, and could use small gifts to give to one another. I got wind of this idea earlier, and, because I'm very 'media-centric', but didn't have a lot of spare cash, I immediately started packing up books to send, winnowing out all sorts of paperbacks that I had kept in 'new' condition, keeping back any that had spine creases, bent pages, and so on, but sending those that looked like they'd just come out of the bookstore.
But mostly, my tastes in fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery are suitable for young adults and adults, not younger kids or tweens. So I picked up a few other items, like an educational kit to teach about filtration systems but I need your help to make this a Merry Christmas for all of the youngsters who aren't big readers and would maybe like something more traditional, like plush toys, dolls, trucks, blocks, whatever. ;)
The suggestion I heard was perhaps a $10 or so limit per item, so that no one would wind up with something truly over the top, but all might have a chance to exchange something with friends or family.
Obviously, this is a little different than asking for cash directly, as I have before on other occasions, but I wanted to let people know of this idea with hopefully enough time for people to pick up an item or two and send it along before the holiday mail system grinds to a complete halt.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Holidays, and may whatever Gods you hold to, hold you back this season.
OKICIYAP BACKGROUND
Okiciyap (we help) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donation should be tax deductible. Okiciyap, located on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, is working to provide a food pantry, youth center, K-12 educational support, GED & Lakota as a 2nd language class support for youth and adults. The word Okiciyap is Lakota for "we help."
Okiciyap lost its founder, Georgia Little Shield in April 2012. Georgia was instrumental in the development of the 501(3)(c) status. In early 2012, she found a building, had it moved and set up to house the food pantry and youth center. Now, the Okiciyap Board is stepping forward to insure Georgia's plans for the Isabel community move forward.
Okiciyap is registered with iGive, which means that your online purchases from participating retailers could automatically generate a donation.
The Daily Kos Fundraising for Okiciyap group was formed to support the pantry. More information is available at the Okiciyap diaries published here at Daily Kos.
Donate Directly to Okiciyap by Check:
Okiciyap
PO Box 172
Isabel, SD 57633
|
Donate Stuff Directly to Okiciyap:
Okiciyap
506 N Madison Ave
Isabel SD 57633
|
Books mailed to a 501c charity qualify to use the lowest rate for mailing books/media, called "library media."
|
Inspiration for the header and footer banner graphics was taken from
the Daily Kos Quilt Guild's auction quilt for Okiciyap