Okiciyap is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization
Donate by Check:
Okiciyap
PO Box 172
Isabel, SD 57633
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I mentioned last night that I'd received several gifts over the course of the day — not the kind you open, but the kind that are much deeper and more lasting than any
thing. There have been several additional gifts over the course of yesterday evening and today, too (including one I even got to open!):
Carrying on a conversation with Gaagaagishiinh, Raven, yesterday afternoon.
Seeing Waabooz, Rabbit, stop to let me speak to him last night. Then watching Griffin follow him to the hay barn, lift his paw, and point, which he hasn't done in years.
Waking up this morning to see Ice waiting patiently to be fed. Finding out today that Ice is not a she, but a he, and that he has already decided that that is his name, whether in English or in Ojibwemowin (Mikwamii).
Knowing that he and our five other horses and four chickens are all safe and healthy and well-fed.
Seeing all five dogs lying in here at my feet, also safe and well-fed.
Knowing that Wings is happy and healthy, resting after a day in the studio and the stables, and that soon we'll eat a simple but wonderful dinner.
We're blessed.
Too many are not.
At this moment, on the Cheyenne River Reservation in Isabel, South Dakota, the temperature isn't bad: 25 degrees — with a wind chill of 15. A couple mornings ago, it was 16 below. Actual temperature. It's supposed to get down to 5 below on Saturday night.
And there are folks there who need our help.
In years past, I've written diaries about what too many people face at Cheyenne River: hunger, malnutrition, heightened rates of acute and chronic illness, violence in many forms, astronomical rates of suicide attempts among young people. Over the course of this year, I've written nearly weekly about the causes of these problems, the current conditions aggravating them.
I'm not going to do any of that tonight.
Tonight, I'm just going to point you in a few directions if you'd like to read further.
Last week, betson08 wrote about the many different projects that Okiciyap, its board, and its staff have underway: feeding the hungry, providing a safe environment for children and youth, providing small gifts for the volunteers, and helping contribute to a heating fund for elders. There are numerous options for giving to Okiciyap this holiday season, many of them tax-deductible.
I'm also going to suggest heeding weck's advice on a consistent way to help Okiciyap and its clients, now and throughout the coming year:
I am asking you to join iGive, an organization that collects a small donation from online retailers every time you shop and donates the money to Okiciyap, (Lakota for "we help) a food bank organized and run by American Indians on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota.
. . .
Now, we are asking you to continue your support. There will be diaries asking for donations over the next few weeks, but I am only asking you to donate a few minutes by registering with iGive. The cumulative donations from new members at iGive choosing to support the pantry will grow and grow over the years; each time you purchase from a participating online merchant, a percent of your sale is donated by the merchant to iGive for Okiciyap.
. . .
There are over 1350 participating retailers. If you shop on line, it is very likely that you already buy from some of them. The amount of the donation varies, but is usually in the 2% range.
I give the following testimonial: The iGive button, which looks like a small seed, will show up when you go to an on-line retailer to make a purchase. Sometimes you must click to confirm you are a member but mostly it is totally automatic.
You will get emails confirming a donation has been made and sometimes you'll get summary emails. That is it. No spam or ads. No complicated process.
There are six days left in the year. Just under one week. For those of you contemplating charitable giving who wish to take the tax deduction for 2013, now's the time. For those of you wanting to give where your contribution can do great tangible good this winter, here's the place.
I'd like to ask you for one final gift this Christmas: Please consider Okiciyap when planning your own giving, or, if you're not able to donate yourself, please share these links with your networks, both on- and offline.
Chi miigwech.
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
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Donate Stuff Directly to Okiciyap:
Okiciyap
506 N Madison Ave
Isabel SD 57633
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Inspiration for the header and footer banner graphics was taken from
the Daily Kos Quilt Guild's auction quilt for Okiciyap