The numbers are in! The Cheyenne River Youth Project 2013 Christmas Toy Drive exceeded this year’s goals by delivering toys and gifts to approximately 1,250 children in 19 communities within the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.
Thanks to our hardworking team of hundreds of volunteers, supporters, donors, partners and community members, CRYP was able to fulfill the Christmas wishes of nearly 260 member families this holiday season.
Each of the children received gifts based on their “Letters to Santa” which were delivered directly by the man himself and his team of dedicated elves from the North Pole. The letters were written by children at the Cokata Wiconi teen center and The Main youth center, as well as those who live in shelters and foster care.
“Our toy drive is the biggest event of the year for us and also the most special,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP executive director. “We are so grateful and appreciative of every single act of kindness shown toward our community this year. The generosity from donors all over the country allows the children of Cheyenne River to experience Christmas in the best, most festive and exciting way.”
Christmas at Cheyenne River was made possible by donations, partnerships and volunteers from around the country and the world. Alexandria, Virginia-based Running Strong for American Indian Youth sent a truck, as did the St. Louis Chapter of CRYP in Missouri.
Gifts for over 700 children came from Colorado this year, including a 26-foot truck from the students at Fairview High School in Boulder, the law firm Fredericks Peebles & Morgan, the University of Colorado and the American Indian College Fund.
Additional financial contributions came from the National Indian Gaming Association, Dairy Queen, the State Bank of Eagle Butte, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota, Dietel Partners and Fredericks, Peebles & Morgan law firm.
Finally, CRYP wishes to thank the hundreds of organizations, individuals and families that donated toys or cash to fulfill each and every “Letter to Santa,” as well as our many volunteers, some of whom came from as far away as Ireland to assist with sorting, wrapping and organizing the distribution of gifts so that the drive was able to run smoothly.
“On behalf of all of us at Cheyenne River Youth Project, and our children and their families, we wish to say big Thank You to everyone who helped us make this year’s toy drive a success,” said Garreau. “We look forward to an even brighter Christmas in 2014.”
Founded in 1988, the Cheyenne River Youth Project is dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities, ensuring strong, self-sufficient families and communities. Today, CRYP provides a wide variety of programs and services to the community, covering nearly 3 million acres in South Dakota. Please follow us at www.facebook.com/lakotayouth or at www.twitter.com/lakotayouth.