Winter on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota is hard, long and cold. Now you can help to make it a little warmer by donating a coat, sweater or blanket -- or any other winter clothing item you choose -- to the Pine Ridge Winter Clothing Drive sponsored by the St. Croix Chippewa of Wisconsin.
From November 1 to 15, bring donated winter clothing items to designated drop-off points at the St. Croix Tribal Center, St. Croix Casino Danbury, St. Croix Casino Hertel Express and St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake.
Why does Pine Ridge need your help? The Pine Ridge Reservation is the country's eighth-largest Indian reservation and also the poorest. Pine Ridge's unemployment rate hovers between 80 and 85%, with 49% of its people living below the federal poverty level. Most residents have no electricity, telephone, running water or sewage systems. Most heat with wood. It's easy to see why winter presents unusual challenges for the Pine Ridge population.
"When you visit one of our casinos or come to the Tribal Center, we hope you'll bring along a clothing item to help the residents of Pine Ridge," said St. Croix Tribal Chairman Stuart Bearheart. "We encourage all guests and employees of our properties to participate in this vital outreach effort on behalf of the people of Pine Ridge."
Mr. Bearheart added that all items collected in the drive will be sent or delivered to Pine Ridge by December 1.
For more information on the drive, call Desiree Bearheart, Cindy Fowler or Barb LaBlanc at 715-986-4777 or 1-800-846-8946.
