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 CAN YOU HELP? ‘Friends of the Rez’Dear Friend, As many of you know we have not been charging for our drumming evenings, instead we have been putting out a donation box and asking people to put in as much as they want to, for us to send to the Lame Deer Reservation. The use of this money is explained further down in this letter.
This all came about after my trip, when I discovered that there are a lot of single parent families on the Rez, 85% un-employment rate and a great deal of poverty with the Cheyenne people. I have been informed by some of the residents on the Rez that the Tribal council are not directing the funds to where it is essential. They can not agree most of the time and I heard that there was a fist fight in one of the last meetings!!!
I have been informed again by residents of the Rez that the mission who organise fundraising, raise funds from around the world for the Cheyenne people, but I have been told that only 40% of the funds raised is used for the people that it was raised for! What the other 60% is used for I dont know. There are good people who do their best to help, one of which is Leroy Whiteman a Cheyenne man who was born and bred on the Lame Deer Rez.
Leroy and 3 others give up their time and often their own money (leaving them short) to help others. The type of things that they help with are listed below in points 1-4. Bev and I have set up a separate non profit fundraising organisation called ‘Friends of the Rez’. The only costs we anticipate involved in this is the money transfer costs to the US, therefore 100% of the money will be used for its intention!
The aim of this organisation is to collect money to help Native American Indians overcome some of life’s hardships. The money will be used for whatever is needed by low income families primarily : Funds towards winter clothing and blankets. Clothes and shoes for school starters.Christmas presents for children who would not otherwise receive any. Any other good cause that is deemed essential by Leroy and his charitable group which is named “Don’t Stand In The Hall”. Some of the money (max 50%) can be sent to any other reservation or Indian family where we feel there is a specific need for funds.
We have raised £2,612.00 from donations between March 09 and March 10 (drumming evenings, sponsored walk, concert, reiki share, Christmas fair and donations from other supporters and subscribers). This money has been spent on a UK trip for 2 reservation teenagers - who had a wonderful time, a benefit fund raiser for the Northern Cheyenne Scholarship Fund, help towards transport for the local basket ball team and ongoing support for an education fund for a college student.
This is all well and good but the problems are continual, so we are asking people to set up a standing order from their bank to the ‘Friends of the Rez’ account for £2.00 per month.
Details are as follows:
Account name: ‘Friends of the Rez’
Bank: HSBC Howards Gate, Welwyn Garden City, Herts
Sort Code : 40-46-08
Account Number : 11785508
If you feel that you want to make that more, or from time to time want to transfer more that would be great.
We are asking for a low regular amount as we know that people want to help but we also understand that we all have to live - by doing this as a collective we will be able to make a difference.
When setting up the standing order with your bank please use your name as a reference, and also drop us an e.mail at
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to let us know that you have done it so that we can keep strict records.
At the end of each year we will send out a copy of the balance sheet and record of where all of the money has gone.
If you know of any specific Indian families that need help please speak to us about it, we may be able to help them.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, we hope to hear from you soon. Thanks and Best wishes
John and Bev September 08  Leroy and Dennis 
Leroy 
Thomasina and Charlotte
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