Our National Junior Honor Society wants to make a difference for the children on the reservation by donating fleece blankets to the children at the shelter. Our biggest challenge is buying the fleece. "Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day." Sally Koch
My students are proud members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in south central South Dakota where their ancestors have lived for generations.
Although they live in the 2nd poorest county in the nation, they have giving hearts. When I talked to them about this project, they were excited that they would giving back to their tiospaye (extended family). Our school is part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and is small compared to most schools and is located in a very rural area. To give you an idea of just how remote we are, it’s 120 miles to the closest Walmart! Almost all of my students ride a bus to school; some for an hour one way. I only have 4 NJHS members but I am hopeful for more after the semester.
My Project
My NJHS students will be making fleece blankets to donate to the local shelter. This shelter was the first woman’s shelter on an Indian Reservation in the United States. Women and children from the Rosebud Reservation are offered a safe shelter after being a victim of a violent crime. These blankets may be the only things these young children can call their own after having to flee their home quickly. By having something warm and soft and cuddly to cling may give these victims a sense of security and hope. My students will learn about the problems that many of their relatives face. I hope they learn empathy for others. Maybe some will decide this is a career path they would want to pursue.
These donations will change lives far beyond the four walls of my classroom.
The blankets we are making can give hope and comfort to those who receive them. But the fleece blankets will give back to the givers, as well. My students will see that a little thing can mean a lot to someone who is less fortunate. I hope they see there are other opportunities for service at the White Buffalo Calf Woman Society shelter and other places around the reservation. Community service is lifelong.
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