Pine Ridge Sponsorship Forum & Kids Who Need Sponsors

[SoCalDonna]

Hi, everybody:

Pamela (dr-mom) had suggested that we have a thread for people sponsoring children on the Pine Ridge Reservation to share their experiences with the children and the families, share pictures, and to encourage others to "adopt" some children on the reservation. I think this is a great idea, but Pamela had also wondered whether this would be more appropriate as a separate Yahoo Group, or if anyone else had any ideas. Anyway, this is to get the ball rolling for this worthy cause. I'll check with the moderators to see if this type of forum is okay for the board, or should be taken elsewhere.

I'll start: At this time, I don't feel I can take on a sponsorship, but would like to in the near future. We are currently helping out a little boy in Rwanda through World Vision, as well as a couple of missionaries through our church. However, this project appeals to me because it's helping people right here in our own backyards, and I'm hoping to help out in other ways for now, like by making afghans and quilts. I'm so shocked at these conditions existing here in our own country. These people are the original people who lived here, and they deserve better. Let's try to make things better for the children and the elders! :soap

Please share your experiences with sponsorship--God bless all you sponsors!
:cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer

P.S. Okay, I think I need to sponsor a child too--maybe one or two babies?

P.S.#2: Pamela would also like to use this forum as a way to keep us posted about children she's trying to place with sponsors. This will be updated as Pamela becomes aware of the needs at Pine Ridge.

[SoCalDonna]

Here is some information about the Pine Ridge Reservation that was provided by Simone, a new Villager:


"> The Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Indian Reservation sits in Bennett, Jackson, and Shannon Counties and is located in the southwest corner of South Dakota, fifty miles east of the Wyoming border.


> The 11,000-square mile (over 2 million acres) Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation is the second-largest Native American Reservation within the United States. It is roughly the size of the State of Connecticut.


> According to the 1998 Bureau of Indian Affairs Census, the Pine Ridge Reservation is home to approximately 40,000 persons, 35% of which are under the age of 16. Approximately half the residents of the Reservation are registered tribal members of the Oglala Lakota Nation.


> The population is steadily rising, despite the severe conditions on the Reservation, as more and more Oglala Lakota return home from far-away cities in order to live within their societal values, be with their families, and assist with the revitalization of their culture and their Nation.


> Recent reports point out that the median income on the Pine Ridge Reservation is approximately $2,600 per year.


> The unemployment rate vacillates from 85% to 95% on the Reservation.


> There is no industry, technology, or commercial infrastructure on the Reservation to provide employment.


> The nearest town of size (which provides some jobs for those few persons able to travel the distance) is Rapid City, South Dakota with approximately 57,000 residents. It is located approximately 120 miles from the Reservation. The nearest large city to Pine Ridge is Denver, Colorado located about 350 miles away.


> Some figures state that the life expectancy on the Reservation is 48 years old for men and 52 for women. Other reports state that the average life expectancy on the Reservation is 45 years old. With either set of figures, that's the shortest life expectancy for a community anywhere in the Western Hemisphere outside Haiti, according to The Wall Street Journal.


> Teenage suicide rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation is 150% higher than the U.S. national average for this age group.


> The infant mortality rate is the highest on this continent and is about 300% higher than the U.S. national average.


> More than half the Reservation's adults battle addiction and disease. Alcoholism, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and malnutrition are rampant.


> The rate of diabetes on the Reservation is reported to be 800% higher than the U.S. national average.


> Recent reports indicate that almost 50% of the adults on the Reservation over the age of 40 have diabetes.


> As a result of the high rate of diabetes on the Reservation, diabetic-related blindness, amputations, and kidney failure are common.


> The tuberculosis rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation is approximately 800% higher than the U.S. national average.


> Cervical cancer is 500% higher than the U.S. national average.


> Each winter, Reservation Elders are found dead from hypothermia (freezing).


> It is reported that at least 60% of the homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation are infested with Black Mold, Stachybotrys. This infestation causes an often-fatal condition with infants, children, elderly, those with damaged immune systems, and those with lung and pulmonary conditions at the highest risk. Exposure to this mold can cause hemorrhaging of the lungs and brain as well as cancer.


> Many Reservation residents live without health care due to vast travel distances involved in accessing that care. Additional factors include under-funded, under-staffed medical facilities and outdated or non-existent medical equipment. There is little hope for increased funding for Indian health care.


> School drop-out rate is over 70%.


> According to a Bureau of Indian Affairs report, the Pine Ridge Reservation schools are in the bottom 10% of school funding by U.S. Department of Education and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.


> Teacher turnover is 800% that of the U.S. national average


> The small Tribal Housing Authority homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation are so overcrowded and scarce that many homeless families often use tents or cars for shelter. Many families live in shacks, old trailers, or dilapidated mobile homes.


> There is a large homeless population on the Reservation, but most families never turn away a relative no matter how distant the blood relation. Consequently, many homes have large numbers of people living in them.


> There is an estimated average of 17 people living in each family home (a home which may only have two to three rooms). Some homes, built for 6 to 8 people, have up to 30 people living in them.


> 60% of Reservation families have no telephone.


> Over 33% of the Reservation homes lack basic water and sewage systems as well as electricity.


> Many residents must carry (often contaminated) water from the local rivers daily for their personal needs.


> 39% of the homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation have no electricity.


> 59% of the Reservation homes are substandard.


> It is reported that at least 60% of the homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation need to be burned to the ground and replaced with new housing due to infestation of the potentially-fatal Black Mold, Stachybotrys. There is no insurance or government program to assist families in replacing their homes.


> Some Reservation families are forced to sleep on dirt floors.


> Many Reservation homes lack adequate insulation. Even more homes lack central heating.


> Without basic insulation or central heating in their homes, many residents on the Pine Ridge Reservation use their ovens to heat their homes.


> Many Reservation homes lack stoves, refrigerators, beds, and/or basic furniture.


> Most Reservation families live in rural and often isolated areas.


> The largest town on the Reservation is the town of Pine Ridge which has a population of approximately 5,720 people and is the administrative center for the Reservation.


> There are few improved roads on the Reservation and many of the homes are inaccessible during times of heavy snow or rain.


> Weather is extreme on the Reservation. Severe winds are always a factor. Traditionally, summer temperatures reach well over 110*F and winters bring bitter cold with temperatures that can reach -50*F below zero or worse. Flooding, tornados, or wildfires are always a risk.


> Many of the wells and much of the water and land on the Reservation is contaminated with pesticides and other poisons from farming, mining, open dumps, and commercial and governmental mining operations outside the Reservation. A further source of contamination is buried ordnance and hazardous materials from closed U.S. military bombing ranges on the Reservation.


> The Pine Ridge Reservation still has no banks, motels, discount stores, or movie theaters. It has only one grocery store of any moderate size and it is located in the town of Pine Ridge on the Reservation.


> Several of the banks and lending institutions nearest to the Reservation were recently targeted for investigation of fraudulent or predatory lending practices, with the citizens of the Pine Ridge Reservation as their victims.


> There are no public libraries except one at the Oglala Lakota College.


> There is no public transportation available on the Reservation.


> Ownership of operable automobiles by residents of the Reservation is highly limited.


> Predominate form of travel for all ages on the Reservation is walking or hitchhiking."

__________________________

Thanks so much to Simone for providing this information, and to Pamela (dr. mom) for alerting everyone to this situation.

[SoCalDonna]

Pamela (dr-mom) had this information about sponsorship:

"Sponsoring
really there is not a lot to do, you contact spirit rising through myself or the director Jeri Baker (Pamela_Spirit-Rising@comcast.net (Pamela_Spirit-Rising@comcast.net)). We send you out some informaiton about how the program works. It is very unique in that you work directly with the family, call them write them, send things, form is friendships. I like to speak with all sponsors in person and talk about cultural differences so that there are no misunderstanding, review the expectations of the program, the sponsor committment. Children available are all ages from newborn to age 18. Some sponsors request an older child that they can communicated with more directly though letter writing and so on, other was a baby or toddler so that can look forward to sponsoring for several years. The sponsoring family is asked as to what type of child and age they are intereesting in forming this relationship with.

The committment is to send a care package a minimum of five times a year, the child's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and the first day of school. Many sponsors find they send little things throughout the year. Some sponsors take on one child, some take a sibling group. Currently there are over 500 childrfen waiting, everytime I call to make a sponsor connection the reservation family tells me about another family in need.

My husband and I sponsor three children a set of twins and a baby boy - we are having a blast, shopping watcing sales, great time now to hit Target and the like as the summer clothing is on clearance.

I hope I have been able to answer a few of your questsions."
Pamela

________________________________________

I hope I have the email address right--if not, please let me know. This is a great opportunity to help someone and also get to know them, and know that your items are going directly to a specific child.

Thanks!!

[SoCalDonna]

This is what New Villager Rosa had to say about Pine Ridge and sponsorship:


"Babies and elders will die from cold this winter can you help
Pamela already started a thread about crocheting for the babies at Pine ridge and I want to try to help. Pine Indian Reservation is the poorest in the United States, the average income is similar to that of India or Haitia, perhaps even poorer, the community of 40,000 people often live without heat and electricity, the elders the oldes grandpas and grandmas will give their blankets and coats to the little ones, and often may freeze themseves rather than letting a little one dye of cold. It is so hard that here in the United States where we are considered a leading contry in the world that we care so little about our own.

...[Pamela] is doing her volunteer work through an organization called Spirit rising

http://www.spirit-rising.org/ (http://www.spirit-rising.org/)

please note they have a unique sponsoship program you send no monies but buy physical items for the child such as school supplies, school clothes, birthday present and so on - your only obligation is to five times a year, first day of school, thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and their birthday."

_________________________________

If you don't feel you can sponsor a child at this time, that's fine, and crocheted donations, school supplies and comfort items are always needed. However, this forum is mainly for sponsors who want to connect with each other.

Okay, now I'll shut up!

[kittencrochet]

This is great, and I think a yahoo group for sponsors would be great too...it would spread the word even more...to a whole other range of people.


Any how...I sponsor 3 kids now...began sponsorship of 2 more today.:D They are an 11 year old boy, an 11 year old girl and a 7 year old girl. My family is doing this as a joint effort. I've sponsored through other organizations..only one of which I was anywhere near satisfied with. But this has been by far the best. I'm 1/4 blood myself (that we know of anyway...could be more) and have been absorbed in Native culture since I was a child. So this hits home for me. It's a chance to give back to my people. In order to recieve good things in life, you need to also give good things to others. And those that you give to, they can later turn around and give to someone else. It becomes one big circle.

It's so hard to imagine that this type of poverty is going on in our own backyard. Maybe some don't know it is and some may choose to close their eyes to it hoping that by doing so it will just go away. But without help, it won't go away. Wether it's sending items, sponsorship, letting others know, even prayers...every little bit helps to bring a solution.

And Pine Ridge is not the only place with these problems. This is close to what life is like on nearly every reservation. Rosebud for instance...life is no picnic there either! I belong to the NH Intertribal Native American Council. One of our members visits different reservations each year and brings much needed supplies. It is bad everywhere! Native Americans on the Res seem to be a forgotten minority on the whole.

On a more positive note...my mom and I have been talking for about 2 weeks now about taking a trip out to Pine Ridge in the next 2 years. We have a friend out in SD that we want to visit, and thought we'd visit the kids we sponsor, too. Thank you Pamela, btw...I hadn't been aware how far the Res is from my friend! lol! I want to plan it around when there will be a good time pow-wow.:D The ones we have here in NH are a joke for the most part!

[dr-mom]

If everyone likes the idea of a yahoo group we could get that going - I am in California right now formy brother's wedding but I can set one up at the end of the week when I get home unless - someone wants to go ahead and get it going now? Pamela

[quirkyvirgo]

I think this is a great idea. I have read a lot about the reservation and the horrific conditions there and recently saw Pamela's posts and have just signed up to sponsor an eighteen year old girl and her two year old daughter. I haven't been able to speak with the contact person yet about specific needs but should be able to this week. I would love to be able to keep up with others who are sponsoring, let me know if there is any way I can help.

Tandi

[SassyThreads]

Pamela a yahoo group is a great idea for sponsors of the Pine Ridge families!!

I signed up a few weeks ago. I have 3 toddlers and a baby from 2 families living in the same home with the grandparents.

I did get to talk with the grandmother. I was able to find out what there needs are and health issues.

Pamela I can start a yahoo group if you want. Just let me Know?

[dr-mom]

Hi I am back - I think as sponsoring families you have to decide what you would like to do - if you would like more personalized contact then I think it would be fine to set up a yahoo group. In my position as a volunteer I can not encourage you either way - but I do hear a lot of enthusiasm. I did check on the group all ready started and it is a closed group just for those families that all sposnor one particular large family - if you decide to start one you need to remember the rules of confidentiality and you may want to screen those who join, so that there would not be any problems with confidential information getting out - just some ramblings - Pamela

[Sam the Man!]

Lynn I would like to encourage you to wet up the sponsorship group - I can read between the lines and Pamela correct me - as she is in a volunteer position with the organization and this would be a family led group and not under the wing of the organization she can not offically make a recommendation either way - but I would like to encourage her to join the group as a family sponsor - so what are you thinking of for a name = Spirit Rising Sponsors - something so when people search looking to do a sponsorship they will come up with us and we can also add the link to all of our personal email - Just my thoughts Sam

[SassyThreads]

Hey all,

After much thought I think the sponsorship forum would be very hard to do for Pine Ridge. We would have to be so very careful not to invade the families privacy. I just don't want to get mixed up in any legal problems.

We can still encourage and discuss Pine Ridge on this forum. Let me know what you all think.:think

[SoCalDonna]

Lynn, I came to the same conclusion, as far as starting a Yahoo group. It sounds like a great idea, but the confidentiality issues are a problem, and also asking the families to sign a waiver of some kind seemed like it might feel like we were trying to invade their privacy. Still, I hope people continue to think about sponsoring.

I'm starting a sponsorship of two little brothers, ages 3 and 2. I was able to do some shopping today for clothes and toys at Target, and had a blast, since I'm at the stage where my boys are grown but I don't have grandkids to buy for yet! This is a household of 12, 6 adults and 6 children. I wish I could sponsor all 6 children in the household, but just can't afford to. I believe this is the household that Sam the Man mentioned in the other Pine Ridge thread. The other children in the household are: a 1-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy and his 5-year-old sister, and a 3-month-old girl. Since two of the six children are now sponsored, it sure would be great to get sponsors for the other four so they won't feel left out. Their grandmother, who is the head of the household, sounds like a special lady, although I keep missing her with my phone calls!

[dr-mom]

The only way that I could see that we could start a yahoo group would be that it would have to be a closed group - and only individuals could join that received an invitation, they would be indiviudals that were currently sposnoring or that were invited by a current sponsor, and interested in the sponsorship program Pamela

[quirkyvirgo]

What was the main concern with confidentiality? My original thoughts were just having somewhere we could share our sponsorship experience and maybe list good deals we found or good ideas we have, we could possibly share information like we have now but just with general information, no names or pics. Would those be the main confidentiality concern?

I am fine with this forum we have now, we could each keep up with it like we have but not discuss any specific details. That way people who may be interested in sponsoring could check this out and read about our experiences and possibly be pursuaded to join. Just my thoughts.

Tandi

[SassyThreads]

Tandi I think sharing ideas about sponsorships in this forum is a good idea.

So I will start.:yay

I went to our local 98 cent store and bought 4 calling cards. Hey for 98 cents for an hour long distance is a deal:dance So I am using these when I call my family I am sponsoring. They work great:clap

Also target right now is having a clearance on childrens clothing and also check Old Navy:D

[dr-mom]

I also hit target - I picked up matching outfits for the twins (just over a year) and couple of outfits for the baby boy all under $10 orginal price closer to $60. I also always make sure I remove all price tags, no chance for kids sponsored by different families to compare prices and hurt feelings. I also have assigned myself crochet project to work on now for this fall - 3 baby blankets 3 sweaters, scarfs, 3 sets of mittens, and 3 hats, that should keep me quite busy! Let alone the blankets project.

Pamela

[leahraej]

Here is a web site that was posted on another of my list.Yarn for postage. Someone said it is thin yarn like for knitting machines or something but it could be doubled or put with some other type of yarn.
Lorna

[rosa]

I am sorry I do not see the web link - but maybe I am doing something wrong? Rosa

[dr-mom]

I too would like the web link for the yarn for postage could you post it please
Pamela

[Nashville Crocheter]

I enjoy reading about those of you who are sponsoring children. I can't committ to sponsoring yet but I am planning to send some school supplies to Pam to take on her trip. I found a good deal on crayons, folders and glue at Walmart.

Barbara

[leahraej]

Sorry don't know what happened www.newtons.com (http://www.newtons.com) is the web site.
Lorna

[SassyThreads]

Pamela also gave me a good idea. I am going to make each of my kids scarves and hats, sweaters and afghans. Pamela I am going to start on the scarves tonight :wcold

I know it is summer but it will get so cold before long on the reservation:snow

[SoCalDonna]

If Crochetville is okay with us discussing our sponsorship here, that works for me! :yay

I was able to speak today with the grandmother of the two boys we're sponsoring (ages 2 and 3) at Pine Ridge--what an amazing lady! She told me about her background and her family, and seems like a very strong and hardworking lady. Her family is very important to her, and it will be great to get to know them better. The two little boys love cars, Spiderman and Spongebob, as well as bright colors. I'm looking for some little sandals to go with their new outfits, and maybe a couple of snacks and unsweetened Kool-Aid, which she says they like.

[dr-mom]

donna was it you that said you wrote the moderators to see if it was ok? my only fear is what about all the knitters, and quilters and everyone else - we need everyone for all those kids out there - you know me always begging. Ok now please share with us what you can about grandma and what she had to say, if not breaching confidentiality. Pamela

[dr-mom]

I would just like to tell sponsors about a crochet charity group that has taken Pine Ridge on the yahoo group is
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/afghans_etc_4charity/

take a look - we do appreciate their joining us and helping our kids
Pamela

[rosa]

With all the talk about making things for our kids I just wanted to mention this group - it is a great resource for crocheting

www.crochetpartners.org (http://www.crochetpartners.org)

many of the very famous people in crochet belong to this group and everyone is asking questions how do you do this, and where can I find a pattern for that. I love it, but would recommend you set it up for daily digest, as it is a busy group.

Rosa

[Sam the Man!]

Has anyone ever bought anything form the place listed for the free yarn? I would like to give it a try but am worried with everything you read about things being hoaxes now a days. I was able to buy yarn very inexpensively from Aunt Mary's beautiful yarn for a fraction of the cost, and she bills you only shipping, and ships the same day, she and her husband own the place I think and when I called she walked around and told me what colors she had on hand and that is exactly what I got! Sam

[quirkyvirgo]

Hi everyone-

I really like the idea of keeping our conversations about sponsorship here for now, just because we may be able to recruit more sponsors. I think, if we do eventually feel a release is necessary, we could approach the families by telling them that we would only use these pics/information to help raise awareness about the great need at Pine Ridge and recruit more sponsors. Just my thoughts.

Update the 2 girls I sponsor, ages 18 and 2: I spoke with their caregiver last week and got their needs list. When I asked what they could use, the she said pretty much anything because it is 90 miles (I think) to the nearest town that has even standard items like shampoo, soap, food stuff, etc.

One thing she did mention is cloth training pants, anyone know where I could get those inexpensively? They were $7 for a 3 pack at Target! Surely they are cheaper somewhere else! I checked Dollar General and they didn't have any.

I also hit the sales at Target, got some cute baby outfits for the 2 year old and some food items they requested. I have also found some deals at local consignment shops, the clothes are used but in good condition. I am sending out a box tomorrow.

Anyone have any crochet ideas for the 2 year old? I wanted to whip out a little tank or something before I sent this box but couldn't find a free pattern. Or even easy patterns for toys or something if you can think of something cute you've made/seen.
Tandi

[kittencrochet]

I was going to make halter tops for the 2 girls I sponsored...until I remembered the whole modesty thing...lol! I can't imagine that would set well with their mom...no matter how cute the tops are. But, I have each of them a scarf made already. It worked out well...the oldest likes green and blue and the youngest likes pink...and those just happened to be the 2 colors I made...lol! I'm working on one for the boy I sponsor as well. I'm also starting afghans. The oldest girl will be getting mint green and cream ripple, the youngest girl will be getting a pink and white star and the boy will be getting a blue and white ripple. Next year I have 2 large gifts to purchase...the oldest girl and the boy will both be 13. She'll be getting a shawl and he will be getting a Soiux Star Pendleton...if we can afford it...otherwise I'll be making him a nice choker. I wanted to get something really nice to commemorate their birthdays...13's a big deal ya know! lol!


Well, I think I better get this shut down...lightening is hitting awfully close to my house!!!!!!!!!!

[dr-mom]

http://www.geocities.com/justauntb/siouxsquare.html

here is a pattern for the United sioux Tribes I remembered it when you mentioned the big gifts for next year - woudln't this be wonderful?

Pamela

[dr-mom]

I could use some easy baby boy patterns, my little guy was bron in February so four months now. Pamela

[kittencrochet]

I had thought about doing that. I still might...but this is what I *really really really* want to get him.
http://store.wanderingbull.com/siouxstarrobe.html

Hehe...I'm gonna ask Carl if he'll give me a deal on it...lol!


http://www.geocities.com/justauntb/siouxsquare.html

here is a pattern for the United sioux Tribes I remembered it when you mentioned the big gifts for next year - woudln't this be wonderful?

Pamela

[SoCalDonna]

Hi:

Pamela, that Sioux nation crochet block is great! That Sioux Star blanket is beautiful--that's an interesting website.

To update my two kids, they're boys, brothers, ages 3 and 2. There are six adults and six children in the household. The grandmother is a wonderful person to talk to. Apparently, she was one of the older ones in her family, and helped raise her siblings. Then she raised her own children when she was widowed, and now she has three of her children living with her, along with their children, so she can help them get a start with their families. She works in the education field, and also spends time driving to visit her other children and grandchildren--this lady deserves a medal! I bought the boys new sandals at Payless Shoes today to go with their new clothes, so will send those off tomorrow with some other goodies. Pamela, I should have thought of the Chain Gang, but promised to send the grandmother some extra crochet hooks I have--she sounded like she'd be happy to have them.

We still need sponsors for the remaining four children in the household, right Pamela? The other children are a 1-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy and his 5-year-old sister, and a 3-month-old girl.

[dr-mom]

Remember this is not a monthly sponsorship program where you cough up the 30-40 dollars and send it off hoping it is doing someone womewhere good. Rather you are a ssigned a specific child, you are given the family's name and telephone number if they have one, and you work directly with them, you are not to send monies, and your only obligation is to send 5 care packages a year First Day of School, Thanksgiving, Christmas, EAster, and their birthday, just pick up a little something extra when you are at the grocery store - perhaps some unsweatened kool-aid, watch the clearnance racks at Target, Wal-mart or your local discount store, crochet, crochet, crochet. If you have the time read the thread about crocheting for the babeis, you got a staash that can turn into a hat, scarf, mittnes, afaghans, leggings and so on, while you only sponsor the child - are you intl making dish rags and such, through some in for the grandma, she will love you.

Yes Donna I am sorry to say that those four are still waiting, I am hoping that I may have found someone for the four year old girl we will have to waitr and see - I know that for now a lot of people are on vacation, but remember while we are flying, swimming, enjoying the sights these children may very well be going hungry - CAN you help? Please write me at Pamela_Spirit-Rising@comcast.net. Thank you

[sewcrochet4fun]

Hi pamela,

I just e-mailed you but wasn't sure if you would be reading Crochetville first or your e-mails.....if you still need sponsors for the other 4 in the family of 6, I will sponsor them all...if not, I would love to sponsor atleast 3 kids...babies, toddlers,teens & tweens doesn't matter. My children are 5, 7 & 11 and love to correspond and create....so it would an added plus to the care packages!!

[SassyThreads]

Oh Pamela you will enjoy helping the children:yay You are doing what I did, starting off with a bang:woo By that I mean sponsoring more the one child.

By the way I am almost finished with a little scarf for my 2 year old little girl. I am using your puffy stitch pattern. I LOVE IT:manyheart

Let us know about your kids when you get them.

[sewcrochet4fun]

Oh Pamela you will enjoy helping the children:yay You are doing what I did, starting off with a bang:woo By that I mean sponsoring more the one child.

By the way I am almost finished with a little scarf for my 2 year old little girl. I am using your puffy stitch pattern. I LOVE IT:manyheart

Let us know about your kids when you get them.

YAY!!!!:clap I have some Baby Clouds I want to use with the stitch next.....I called Pamela today after she e-mailed me but had to leave a message so hopefully I will find out more soon. It was funny though..."Hi Pamela, it's Pamela"...until I started talking online, I have been the only pamela I have ever known!:D

[Knittykim]

You can also go to http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/difference/craftforprr.shtml
and there are lists of ways to help. donations, sponsorships, goods needed, etc.

Would be good in case you are interested in helping, but not interested in a long term thing.

[Cordelia]

I have a suggestion, when talking to the parent of the child(ren) you sponsor ask if the parent does any type of craft (knitting, crochet, jewelry making,etc)...May seem frivolous with so many needs to be filled but it might be a special treat for the parent if needs are hard to meet then you can only image not having special things. Besides whats it going to hurt to send a box of goodies from your stash?

[quirkyvirgo]

Pamela (Sewcrochet4fun) I am so glad you will be able to sponsor. We have decided to, at least temporarily, use this forum to talk about our sponsorships (what general information we can without breaking confidentiality) and discuss donation ideas, etc. for our Pine Ridge Families. I sponsor 2 girls, 18 and 2 and just sent off my first package yesterday but have really enjoyed shopping and finding deals!

Tandi

[SoCalDonna]

Hi, Pamela (sewcrochet4fun):

I'm so glad you decided to sponsor those four children. :cheer I have the two brothers, and their mom is expecting so I'll sponsor her new baby also. I felt bad to be sending something to the two boys if the others didn't have goodies arriving also. We can maybe keep in touch about the needs in the household. You'll like the grandma. She told me the best times to call her are Sat and Sun mornings, and at or after 8 on weekdays.

Cheers! Donna L. :yay

[sewcrochet4fun]

Well, it is official!!:clap

I am sponsoring five....ages 4 months (today), 1, 4, 5 & 6.
Tomorrow I will call and tonight I am making a list of things I can sew & crochet...I have 2 birthdays coming in a couple weeks!!

I was telling Pamela on the phone that the greatest part of this is knowing who you are helping...your efforts are real, the impact is shown and the heart is warmed 10x over!!

Hubby will not be home til late tonight but I will have to stay up and explain otherwise he will have a heart attack if he sees me making & buying baby things...LOL:blush

[SassyThreads]

Hey All I hit target today and they are having an awesome sale on school supplies:yay :yay

Here is what I got

4- 24 pack of rose art crayons for .10 a piece:cheer

10- 70 sheet notebooks for .10 a piece

2- 2 packs of glue sticks for .50 a piece

4- folders to hold homework for .7 a piece

2- 12 pack rose art colored pencils for .50 a pack

They also had baby and toddler clothes for 75% off.

I got one cute top for my 2 year old girl for .98
and a cute onsie for the baby for .98
and a cute t-shirt for 1.98 for the 2 1/2 year old brother.

I also found the sweetest fatest 18" baby doll on clearance for 10.00. You press her tummy and she giggles. I am going to crochet some outfits for her and that will be the little girls christmas present:jumpyay

I found other things as well but to many to list. So any of you that are sponsoring school age kids run to target and check out the sales:D

[dr-mom]

Things are finally moving! Can I tell you about the next ones I really need to move on? It seems like we have a number of people reading the emails so this might be a way for me to let people know I wonder if there is a way to add to our name - Pine Ridge Sponsorship Forum and Waiting Children Might catch an eye - any thoughts ?

Well here goes

This grandma has 11 children 15 and under she is caring for - a few have sponsors and like Donna says it is so sad to see the others left out - now no one person has to take them all - we were so blessed with Pamela (the other Pamela!!)

Boy 1
Girl 3
Boy 5
boy 9

and another Grandma who is responsible for 14
again some have sponsors those that are left are
Boy not yet one
Boy 10
Girl just turned 1
and two more girls I do not have the ages for yet

I will call the Grandma's once I hear if there is any interet it is so hard to get their hopes up as it is so hard. Please those of you who read this spread the word, as children are referred, I will add the next group, thanks Pamela

[emeraldmoon]

sale ends tommorow but at Office Max they have the 24 pack of rose art crayons for 9 cents a package, loose paper for 15 cents a pack, the storage pencil boxes for 49 cents each, pkg of the fabric book covers for 9 cents each, 12 pk pencils for 12cents.

Also Walmart is having a great sale too, paper for 15 cents a pkg and the 70 count spriral notebooks for 6 cents each..

Hey All I hit target today and they are having an awesome sale on school supplies:yay :yay

Here is what I got

4- 24 pack of rose art crayons for .10 a piece:cheer

10- 70 sheet notebooks for .10 a piece

2- 2 packs of glue sticks for .50 a piece

4- folders to hold homework for .7 a piece

2- 12 pack rose art colored pencils for .50 a pack

They also had baby and toddler clothes for 75% off.

I got one cute top for my 2 year old girl for .98
and a cute onsie for the baby for .98
and a cute t-shirt for 1.98 for the 2 1/2 year old brother.

I also found the sweetest fatest 18" baby doll on clearance for 10.00. You press her tummy and she giggles. I am going to crochet some outfits for her and that will be the little girls christmas present:jumpyay

I found other things as well but to many to list. So any of you that are sponsoring school age kids run to target and check out the sales:D

[dr-mom]

way to go - wow we are on the path to helping out kids! Love your quote as well - Pamela

[losingmymind2]

Pamela, I can't sponsor at this time, but I want to send some school supplies and maybe something crocheted along. Will you be taking things with you? What is the deadline?

Kathy

[emeraldmoon]

Pamela

Thanks, its a quote I have been using since before hubby and I got married..

way to go - wow we are on the path to helping out kids! Love your quote as well - Pamela

[dr-mom]

yes I will be going in October but what I have begun doing is that as someone approaches me with supplies I provide them with a contact that they can send the things directly to. This gets the neeeded items in the hands of the family much faster, and as you would be spending the postage anyway lets get it to the needy family as soon as possible. When you are ready to send supplies PM me privately and I will provide you with the information. Pamela

[SassyThreads]

Hey all,

Pamela and I wanted to let you all know that we have the charity group ready to go.

We are calling it Crafting For A Cause in yahoo groups. We have decided to include all crafters that would like to help. Crocheters, knitters, quilters, sewers, beaders, woodworking, leather work etc...

To start off we will be including Pine Ridge Reservation, Kids going through cancer treatments at UC Davis in CA and Pamela's Chain gang and other special needs children.

We also will support a different chairity a month. We are on the ground floor right now so come along and join us.

[dr-mom]

Lynn thank you for undertaking all of this - we talked a lot and we really want to include every kind of crafter there is - and the quarterly projects are projects to be sobmitted from the membership - as we all have a passion in our lives just need to focus on kids - right Lynn? We are also going to focus on waiitng children and I will try to set a time to do a weekly highlight on a waiting sibling group - that way you can have something physically to tell others about - like hey did you know there is this 11 year old boy who is a terrefic artist, but does not even have a good set of clothes for school let alone a set of paints. I then I will let you know when theya re place - thanks for caring Pamela - the other Pamela hehe Hey Iwould not mind being Pamela number 292 if there were 291 sponsoring our kids! Pamela

[dr-mom]

Please anyone with an interest in sponsoring contact me - I will be happy to meet with you on the phone or here and discuss how the program operates we have so many children in need - I feel sometimes Like I can not keep my head above water - Pamela

[dr-mom]

Several sponsor have gone together and formed a new group for Pine Ridge here is the message from Lynn and we would like you come and take a look and see if you would like to come along for the ride.

Hey all,

Pamela and I wanted to let you all know that we have the charity group ready to go.

We are calling it Crafting For A Cause in yahoo groups. We have decided to include all crafters that would like to help. Crocheters, knitters, quilters, sewers, beaders, woodworking, leather work etc...

To start off we will be including Pine Ridge Reservation, Kids going through cancer treatments at UC Davis in CA

Pamela's Chaing gang and other special needs children.

We also will support a different chairity a month. We are on the ground floor right now so come along and join us.

[dr-mom]

Just a few minutes ago we were the most popular news story on Yahoo. Oh My GOSH I can't believe this.

http://tinyurl.com/awhrs (http://tinyurl.com/awhrs)

I know I sent this announcement to some of you earlier today. But we need your help. Please follow the link below and rate the story (5 stars would be great) and if you can please email the story from yahoo (link at the bottom of the page) to at least one person and ask them to do the same.

Our little grass roots PR is working. The gang has already started to get donations not to mention the exposure for our little company.

Love and Blessings, Pamela -- \

http://tinyurl.com/awhrs (http://tinyurl.com/awhrs)