UPDATE: Here's the deal readers. Andy Ternay was the main organizer of the Netroots Nation panel I describe below, and he REALLY REALLY wanted Georgia Little Shield to be there. Unfortunately, the conference organizers could only pay about half of the cost of her attendance.
So, Andy decided he would pay the difference himself.
Well, the price of the airfare doubled just as he was making this decision, but he went with it anyway. Andy has a family to support, and this was really above and beyond the call of duty.
If anyone out there is so inclined, helping Andy out with this cost is helping the shelter. Why? Many of its main financial supporters will be at this conference and it will bring in new donations and new visibility. Andy knew that and that's why he was adamant that Georgia should be there.
Because of the discussion panel's topic, our failure to protect Native American women from violence, it will also make people more aware of the problems shelters like Pretty Bird Woman House are trying to address.
So, if you have any money to spare, Andy has been a major force in the effort to support the shelter, so if possible, can you help him climb out of this financial hole he's dug for himself? It would really alleviate some marital stress too :)
More on the conference:
Thanks to the organizing efforts and personal generosity of my partner in crime, Andy Ternay, Georgia Little Shield, the shelter director, and two other women, Amanda Flott, the regional Amnesty organizer, and Tinnekkia Williams-Three Legs, a Lakota activist, Amnesty's Stop Violence Against Women Campaign Coordinator, and member of the Pretty Bird Woman House board of directors, will be doing a panel discussion and tabling at the Netroots Nation convention in Austin, Texas the weekend of July 19th.
Our discussion is set for 9am on Friday, July 18th. It is entitled: Examining the Maze of Injustice: Our Nation's Failure to Protect Indigenous Women From Violence. For more information and everyone's bios go here.
See you there!
In the meantime, the church youth group will be painting the shelter! We're just $65 short of goal on the summer painting project.
UPDATE: Now we've reached goal on the painting project!!!! I'll post photos of the kids painting the house as soon as I get them.
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4 comments:
Hi, in reading the archives I saw that you posted that donors would receive a newsletter. I haven't gotten one and would love updates. I donated to the first drive where we raised $27,000+.
Who do I contact to get on the newsletter list? Thanks.
Have you tried using Freecycle for some of the ongoing needs of the shelter? So many of the things you have been posting that you are needing are given away free all the time on that site. A lot of construction jobs will give away extra paint and cooking things, blankets, beds, etc. are frequently given too. They have locations all over the country and you can even start your own group free. Many givers will give priority to charities.
Freecycle
Cheryl,
Thanks for reminding me. That kind of fell through the cracks when my mom was diagnosed with cancer and I had to start taking care of her instead of doing other things. As soon as things settle down, we can start that up again.
Freecycle is great. I have to tell you that I have an entire closet full of girl baby clothes that I have to send little by little because now my budget is really tight.
The problem out by the shelter is that the driving distances are really great, but I'll check into the local freecycle out there and see what's on the list. Great idea.
Betsy, I did look at the Freecycle groups and you are right, I don't see anything real close but a new group can be set up. Or, I was thinking maybe something close to where the donors are and if volunteers could offer to transport the donations to the house...just an idea.
I know the guy who started Freecycle. He is from my city and I was one of the original members. I run into him a lot at environmental or peace events.
Sorry about your mother and your struggles. I look forward to meeting you at NN. I took am dealing with a lot of financial and health issues right now.
I will be shipping some donations of needed items to the house in the future. Just need to get some things out of the way first.
I didn't realize this house was so close to where I grew up. Strange coincidences. A good friend grew up and works in Fort Yates and I used to party in Herreid SD because I grew up on the border between ND and SD. Doesn't seem "close" to most people, but for how sparsely populated ND and SD is, those are close towns, lol. McLaughlin is just a hop skip from Herreid.
Anyway, I am glad that the fundraisers have been so successful as this is such a great cause and Andy and your work to promote it has been wonderful.
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