HELP LAKOTA ELDERS

Our elders need us. They are cold and without the monetary ability to pay for propane a cord of wood for the winter.

Where are our warriors? Where are our young men and women to chop wood and get it ready for the winter for those who heat with wood? Where is the funding that should be set aside so that these elders will not have to suffer in the freezing cold, praying they will survive yet another winter?

We say we treasure our elders - our Grandmothers and Grandfathers - but why aren't we helping more? Whether it's the Lakota or any other nation's elders why should they go without the very basics of life? Warmth for their old bones in the winter....to stop the ache of arthritis, to keep the winter chill down so they can at least find comfort by wearing a warm shawl and having the heat they need to survive.

I don't care about politics or who likes who or any of that - we should all have one focus in mind, to help our elders through the bitter cold winters.

Recently an unenrolled Cherokee woman took it upon herself to send out a letter to everyone she knows, asking them to please help with as much as they can. $5 - $10 - $25 - it adds up and then the propane can be purchased, a cord of wood can be found and delivered; our elders will have warmth.

If you have an organization that helps our elders with fuel costs for the winter, please forward your information to Fuel Information Attention Webmaster and I will be more than happy to get the information out as far and to as many people as possible.

PLEASE HELP OUR ELDERS

This is one program that has been calling for help for the elders since winter first started. Please help in whatever way that you can. Thank you.

Utility/Heating Assistance Program

For The Lakota Sioux Elders of South Dakota

8 Siouxan Reservations in South Dakota Pine Ridge Reservation, Cheyenne River Reservation, Crow Creek Reservation, Lower Brule Reservation, Rosebud Reservation, Sisseton-Wahpeton Reservation, Yankton Reservation, Flandreau Santee Reservation

Among the poorest indigenous people in the United States

Over 60% of the homes are severely sub-standard

Average income on the Oglala Lakota Sioux Pine Ridge Reservation is only approximately $2600.00 per YEAR

Winter low temperatures in South Dakota average 9* F (November through February)

Made worse with bitter wind-chill factors and Record Temperatures reaching -44* below 0*F (1996)

Elders have died from hypothermia due to inability to pay for heating

Help Us Help the Elders!

All applicants screened and documented

Payments made directly to utility, propane, wood, or heat equipment companies

Donations carefully tracked and accountable

All donations tax-deductible

All administrative costs associated with this project are fully underwritten by Audrey Link (Director) and The Link Center Foundation

Therefore, All specified donations go 100% to help the Elders (Mark your check,"Elders Heating Fund")

Send donations to

Link Center Foundation

P.O. Box 2253 – Longmont, CO 80502-2253

Link Center Foundation
Affiliate of the National Heritage Foundation
501(c)(3) Tax ID #58-2085326

(Rev.) Audrey L. Link, Founder and Director

P.O. Box 2253 ~ Longmont, CO 80502-2253
Phone: 303-554-5363 Voice Mail ~ 888-220-1653

Office Email: Office Email Address

Website: Link Center Foundation

Help the Elders

Thank you!

Contents

February 2006 Reports

Last updated on February 24, 2006