Thank Yous from LOWO

August 7, 2009

Hi Chris;

On behalf of Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi (LOWO), we would like to express our heartfelt thank you to the donors and yourself for the back to school drive that resulted in such a tremendous amount of backpacks and school supplies for the children that we serve.

It has been so wonderful to have the generous donations from Friends of Pine Ridge that has helped to meet the needs of so many of our Lakota children that would go without if not for the kindness and generosity of the donors who have supported LOWO in so many ways. We at LOWO are extremely appreciative of all the support we have received from Friends of Pine Ridge.

Please share this sincere expression of our appreciation and thankfulness to each and every one of the donors who have so generously given to our organization.

Pilamaya (Thank you),

Susan DuBray, Co-Executive Director
Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi (LOWO)

June 19, 2009

Dear Chris and Friends of Pine Ridge;

On behalf of Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi (LOWO), the tribally chartered child welfare agency for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, we would like to express our sincere appreciation and thank you for the clothing drive that resulted in so much variety, quantity and quality of children’s clothing for the young children that we serve through our agency.

We have approximately 140 children in out of home care at any given time and many who come into the child welfare system with little or no clothing. We often place children with their extended families, many of whom are unequipped to provide in the immediate for the needs of their relatives’ children as well as children who are placed in our tribal foster homes while their families are going through a change and healing process.

The continued generosity and kindness that has been demonstrated through the donation of items of basic necessity for children by Friends of Pine Ridge is deeply appreciated. The month of May was National Foster Care Month and brings attention to the country’s most vulnerable children, those placed away from their families and oftentimes communities due to concerns of child abuse or neglect. The ability to provide for the upfront basic needs of children such as clothing when they come to us with little or nothing makes our jobs much easier and we can focus on the helping and change process to assist our families in their healing journeys.

Thank you again for the continued support that your organization and affiliated donors have given to LOWO.

Susan DuBray, Executive Director
Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi (LOWO)

April 20, 2009

Hi Chris;

Easter went very well for our children and families. The Easter baskets, stuffed animals and other gift items were a big hit with the children we serve. They were all really nice gifts and the majority of our children would not have had Easter at all if it wasn’t for the donation campaign that Friends of Pine Ridge held to provide a ray of “light” for our children and families.

This has been a hard year for many of our families with severe weather conditions and economic hardships that are staggering for our families. We have had five blizzards this winter season and many of our families have been without power and water for extended periods of time. Even when the weather warms up and the snow melts off, many of our families who live in rural areas are stranded still with the roads being too muddy and rutted to travel on.

If it wasn’t for the kindness and generosity of the donors that contribute to Friends of Pine Ridge, this year would have been even more bleak for many. Thank you, Chris and all of your contributors that make Friends of Pine Ridge the success that it is and for giving from the heart for those that would go without if it wasn’t for the kindness and generosity of so many people out there.

Our warmest wishes and sincere appreciation from the depth of our hearts.

Susan DuBray
Executive Director
Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi (LOWO), Inc.