Happy Holidays, and Thank You

On behalf of PWNA, we would like to wish our program partners, volunteers, donors, and organizations that support our work a happy holiday season. Our year-round efforts are made possible because we have all come together with the shared goal of serving others.

PWNA has been serving Indian country for 25+ years, primarily working on 60 reservations in 12 states through collaborative and cooperative community-based relationships. Through our on-reservation program partners, we are able to impact the lives of approximately 250,000 Native citizens each year.

I am grateful to be part of PWNA’s Programs team that oversees services out of Rapid City, SD and Phoenix, AZ. Out of the 40,000 square foot distribution facilities located at each site, PWNA serves approximately 1,000 reservation partners, focusing on health and nutrition, animal welfare, education, and emergency services, as well as holiday support. In order to fulfill our commitments to Native communities, our drivers, who we consider our ambassadors, drive about 300,000 miles annually and deliver more than 5 million pounds of goods to our partners. We are proud to be one of the largest Native American serving organizations in the United States.

PWNA is thankful for the opportunity to be of service, and in 2017 we most recently provided or plan to provide the following seasonal support:

• Nearly 110 winter fuel vouchers
• 600 winter emergency boxes for Elders in need
• Community-wide Thanksgiving meals for 8,065 participants, and take-home meals with enough food for 30,564 people
• Community-wide Christmas meals for 1,305 participants
• 11,000+ stockings for children of all ages, plus 2,775 baby bags for those age 3 and younger
• 5,865 holiday gift bags for Elders
• Through our Hug-a-Bear service, gifts for approximately 826 children in crisis
• 22,585 activity books included in 8,740 holiday stockings for children of all ages, plus stockings for 350 children at Santa Stops

Our goal is to improve the quality of life for Native citizens living in some of the most remote and resource-challenged reservations in this country. Through our program partners who provide direct services to their communities, we hear about Native citizens doing the best they can to build better lives for themselves and offer our support.

Although they do not consider themselves leaders, each year we learn about individuals making a difference in their community. Often they are the teacher, administrative assistant, parent, youth, elder, caseworker, tribal employee, healthcare provider, volunteer or student. Sometimes, these citizens who are contributing good things to the communities go unnoticed because their goal is to serve and not to get recognition. PWNA is honored to know many of these individuals and we look forward to continuing to work side by side with them to serve in more than 300 communities.

Our ability to provide resources and support to these vital workers is only possible through the generosity of people who care about others. PWNA is supported by the financial and time commitments of both donors and volunteers, and we are blessed to have your support.

In closing, “Nau Wepul Tu’i Hiapsi,” which translated means “Together with One Good Heart.” This reflects the people who work, support, and are served by PWNA.