The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota has been the poorest place in America with a median income of just $3500.00 a year. The school drop out rate is soaring at an estimated 70% and the schools on the Reservation fall into the bottom 10% of funding.
Since 2004 we have been delivering new backpacks filled with school supplies to one village on the Reservation. In 2008 we expanded our efforts to provide backpacks and school supplies to the children in three villages. Our long-range goal is to be able to give every child on the Reservation a new backpack and school supplies each year.
Giving a child on the Reservation school supplies not only provides them with much needed equipment for school but it gives them hope for a future.
School Supply List
We really prefer monetary donations because we can purchase the backpacks and school supplies at a lower price through a distributor where we can get more for the money, but we are not picky - we wil be happy to accept donations of school supplies as well. We do ask that if you purchase supplies that you please only purchase items on this list so we can give each child the same set of supplies.
New backpacks in solid or neutral colors that can be used for either a boy or a girl (no character backpacks please)
Single subject notebooks
Bic or PaperMate stick pens (blue or black ink)
Pencils
12 inch rulers (wood or plastic)
24 pack crayons
School glue (no glue sticks - they melt in transport)
2-pocket folders
Erasers (the big pink ones)
Come see us at The Great Pumpkin Fest
Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008
Keehner Park
West Chester, OH
2pm - 6:30pm
Join the fun of this traditional fall festival featuring a costume contest, a not-so-scary haunted trail, a pumpkin patch, horse and wagon rides, music, food, and more in the beautiful wooded setting of Keehner Park. This is a free event.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
To make a tax deductible donation, make checks out to:
Backpacks For Pine Ridge Fund
c/o The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty Township 5641 Union Centre Dr.
West Chester, OH 45069