The Akwesasne Holiday Helpers would like to send out a huge Nia:wen Kowa to the Community of Akwesasne for their support. We reached our goal, almost right down to the penny - $60,251.09 to purchase food and gifts for our community members in need. On Friday December 11, 2015 at the Hogansburg –Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department, the fundraisers brought in an amazing $30,251.09 (currency breakdown - $17,398.24 US and 12,852.85 CAN). This could not have been done without the generosity of our community. You all are amazing. We all pulled together to ensure families will not go hungry and the children and seniors have a nice gift come Christmas morning.

Our expenses thus far are approximately $ 28,852.61 for just food and roughly $2,230 for gifts purchased to date. Even though we had a number of generous toy and gifts donations, we still have to purchase a number of toys for the children and gifts for seniors to fill the remaining empty baskets. The expenses will increase as new applications come forward as well. A full report of all donations and expenses will be published for the community to view in January.

The raffle tickets are still bringing in funds and we are still receiving donations. We are now busy sorting the toy/gift donations and awaiting our food deliveries on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is our actual day to sort the baskets and make ready for distribution with the following schedule:

Thursday -East of the Hogansburg/ St. Regis River which includes Tsisnaine, Cook Road, River Road, Drum Street, State Road etc.

Friday – West of Hogansburg/St. Regis River: Village of St. Regis, St. Regis Road, Frogtown, Racquette Point, Rooseveltown, etc.

Saturday – Distribution with the Akwesasne Hogansburg Volunteer Fire Department station #2 on Cornwall Island.

We would like to thank the following:

Akwesasne Convenience Store Association

Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

The SRMT Community Partnership

Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort

Akwesasne - Hogansburg Volunteer Fire Department

The Saint Kateri Hall

Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club

Akwesasne Mini - mart

Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department

St. Regis Catholic Mission - Church Mice Fundraising Committee

Akwesasne Housing Authority

MCA Christmas Basket Committee

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne

CAA Management

Sons of the American Legion

CKON 97.3 FM Radio

Akwesasne Detachment #566 Marine Corp

American Legion Post 1479

Indian Time

Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1479

Native Trading Associates - Susan Jesmer

J & J Brokers

Speedway Convenience

Rez Phones

Tina's Pride Fundraising Committee

K & H Sports

Creetions Hair Salon – Lauren Cree & Tanisha Thompson

Caddy Distributions

Mohawk International Raceway

Rocket Ronnie's

Big E Catering Services

Hill Top - Bouncy House

Allan Chico Arquette

Donald Thompson

Marshall & Janine Rourke

Louie Jackson - Action Auto Parts

Dunkin Donuts

Akwesasne Attack Lacrosse

St. Regis Mission Kateri Circle

Casey Swamp - Swamp's Performance

Scott McDonald

Morris Oakes

Akwesasne TV

KOI Express - Karen & Jake Adams

Anonymous Donors (7)

We had many individual volunteers during our Holiday Helper fundraising event Friday:

Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort Staff Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Staff

Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Staff Akwesasne Boys Girls Club Staff & Volunteers

Calvin Leaf Dennis Bero

Diane Thomas Theresa Martin

Mary Thomas Dave Mainville

Patricia Thomas Debbie Thomas

Kanietineh LaFrance

Village Currency

Melissa Johnson Charlie Jacobs

Dianna Tarbell Richard Phillips

Jonathon Lazore Crystal Adams

Dick Laffin Tina's Pride

Johnny Herne CKON Staff

Rich Piper TJ Jackson

Kim White Shannon Keel

Krystal Mitchell Raymond Swamp

Peggy David

Benny Herne Emily Lauzon

Charlie Jacobs, Ron Lafrance and Everett Lazore man the stoves during the breakfast meal at the Holiday Helpers fundraiser.

Todd Conners

If we missed anybody, it was not intentional; however, we will try to make up for it in our final report in January.

Please support our local vendors/businesses as they have supported us through this very successful endeavor.

It is great to see a community come together for the common good of others during this holiday season. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.

Niawen ko:wa,

Akwesasne Holiday Helpers