Organizing for America | Christopher Groden's Blog: Leonard Peltier Annual Gift Drive 2008

Leonard Peltier Annual Gift Drive 2008

By Christopher from Belfast, ME - Oct 3rd, 2008 at 5:01 pm EDT

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October 2, 2008

Hello my friends and relatives,

As you well know the season of giving is approaching us. As I was sitting here in this cell, thinking about these toy drives we have sponsored and advocated I in the past years, I can't help but remember when I was a kid. Christmas was always a difficult time for me, difficult in several ways because as a child you always had expectations about presents and what you wanted, and invariably there was always disappointments and also there was a mixture of guilt in there also, because I always wanted to give something more than I had. And from a child's point of view it doesn't matter so much what a person's belief system is. Christmas is just Christmas. And for a child who doesn't get anything, one of the most difficult things about it is, when you go back to school after the holidays and many the kids are wearing new clothes and shoes and coats. And they ask you what you got for Christmas. That is when I think for me, I was bothered the most. Because it reminded me of my disappointments and it was embarrassing to say whatever it was because if there was anything at all it was nothing like they had received. As I grew older, I always did my best to try to see that my children and any children around me did not have to have those feelings.

I know as it stands now Christmas has become overly commercialized. And the true meaning of Christmas often times is hidden by that commercialization. But that doesn't change the feelings of that one child or those many children who receive nothing or next to nothing. That is why every year; I try to sponsor a Christmas gift drive for children on the reservation. I know that there are other areas that are not on the reservation where children experience the same disappointments. I know I can't touch them all but I do know if you can help me do this, we can touch the ones that I have connection with and many of the ones who are not noticed and fall through the cracks of Christmas programs.

I remember President Bush saying in his talk about education no child left behind, and that is pretty much how I feel about many of these children on the reservation, because of the poverty and remoteness of location. They are the children at Christmas time that are left behind.

I remember one Christmas and it's kind of amusing looking back, I asked my mother how come we never got bicycles and her reply was that Santa took them to the poor kids. Though today I find it amusing, I can't help but love and appreciate her and identify with the pain she must of felt in not being able to provide for us in the ways that she wanted.

My heart aches when I think of the yoke and sorrow many of the mothers must feel who are a single parent provider. Not just on reservations but throughout America. It brings to mind an old saying, I don't know who said it but it is well known, and it is very well true, that a grown up, never stands as tall as when they stoop to help a child.

With that in mind I want to ask all of you, to help all of us. Make a difference. Our Native American culture is a giving culture. Traditionally on your birthday your friends and relatives had a birthday party for you and gave gifts in your name. It's my understanding that that is what Christmas is supposed to be about. I greatly appreciate the teachings of Jesus when he said it's better to give than to receive. And as you do unto the least of these (to children) so shall you do to me.

I hope I am not sounding too overly dramatic, but holidays, especially Christmas and for some even Thanksgiving, are always difficult for prisoners. And our emotions often times are intensified by our inability to be directly involved with our families. I also want to say that the needs of children are year round, and I think that sometimes people forget that. Anyway, I want to ask all of you to search your hearts and give in whatever way you can to help all of us make a difference. For all those children and maybe in some small way all of us together can make a better world.

May the Great Spirit Father of us all, bless you in whatever way you need and bless you many times over for your gifts you share.

Yours always and always,
In the spirit of Crazy Horse, and all those who gave their lives to right what was wrong,
Mitakye Oyasin (all my relations)

Leonard Peltier

Leonard Peltier is once again organizing a holiday gift drive for the children of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Pine Ridge is one of the most impoverished areas in the United States, and this is one way Peltier continues his humanitarian work for his people despite his 32-year incarceration. Help him reach out beyond the bars that imprison him. The gift drive helps not only the children and families, but also Leonard himself, keeping his spirit strong through the difficult holiday season.

The Gift Drive will serve ages newborn to 18 years. Ideas for Christmas Gifts per Age Range:

Infant/Toddler
Puzzles, Board Books, Building Blocks, Stuffed Animals, Blankets, Trucks, Musical Instruments for Toddler, Riding Toys, Push Toys, Baby Dolls (All Ethnicities) or Stuffed Animals, Clothes

Children Ages 3-6
Baby Dolls, Dolls or Barbies (All Ethnicities), Puzzles, Books, Developmental Board Games (Counting Games), Arts and Crafts Sets, Race Tracks, Legos, Dress Up Clothes, Children’s Videos, Bikes, Clothes

Children Ages 7-12
Board Games, Books, Purses and Wallets, Art Sets, Boom Boxes, Sports Equipment, Barbie Dolls (All Ethnicities) , Arts and Crafts Sets, Journals, Model Car Kits, Clothes, Bikes, Jewelry, Clothes

Teens Ages 13-18
Books, Journals, Bath and Body Gifts, Make Up Sets, Sports Equipment, Purses and Wallets, Jewelry and Watches, Art Supply Kits, Gift Certificates to Wal-Mart or Target, DVD’s or Videos, Clothes

Mail all gifts to:
Rosyln Jumping Bull
BOX 207
Oglala, SD 57764

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