Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Because the Akwesasne Holiday Helpers are starting from scratch, the goal is to reach $60,000. This will ensure the estimated 1,170 families will receive a holiday baskets this year.

The Akwesasne Holiday Helpers have been working hard asking for donations from various sources near and far. They are proud to announce and want to say Niawen ko:wa to our sponsors and donators thus far: Akwesasne Convenience Store Association who has donated $10,000; the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino who will be supplying all the food for the December 11th fundraising event scheduled to be at the Hogansburg Akwesasne Fire Department Station #1. A full announcement of donations and a financial report will be published for the public at the end of this year’s fundraising efforts.

The families and seniors benefiting from this community supported initiative are from both the northern portion and southern portion of the Akwesasne. “Our families and seniors labor to make ends meet in this struggling economy. With that being said, we are looking for help in assisting our families with a warm meal and a few little gifts for the children and seniors this holiday season,” the committee announced.

The Akwesasne Holiday Helpers held registration from November 2nd through the 8th and received over 700 registrations; this is just the start. The registration forms asked some basic questions: ages of household members, male or female and desired or wish list items for the children. The Akwesasne Holiday Helpers are asking for donations for the wish list items. They are:

• Dolls

• Barbie Dolls

• Frozen-Elsa and Anna

• Minecraft

• Legos

• Cars and Trucks

• Baby toys

• Rattles

• Dinosaurs

• Craft projects for teens

• Art pens and pencils

• Electronics

• Books for all ages

• Sport balls

• Soccer and basketballs

• Lacrosse stuff

• Monster high

• Star Wars

• Bratz dolls

• Gift cards

• Make-up

• Puzzles

• Army men

• Pet Patrol

Food donations are also needed: boxed stuffing, canned cranberries, cookie mix, cake mix, canned veggies, canned gravy and cake frosting.

Gifts for our Seniors (suggestions): bingo dabbers, crossword books, Sudoku, gloves, hats, scarfs, flashlights, blankets, radio bingo gift cards, gas cards, grocery cards, etc.

There are drop off sites at the Tribal Community Building and Community Support Program office at the Kanonhkwatsheri:io Health Facility in St. Regis, Quebec.

The Akwesasne Holiday Helpers will be selling raffle tickets for a donated picnic table – compliments of Donald Thompson; a handmade toy box – compliments of Chico Arquette; six months worth of radio bingo cards; and $500 Fuel from #9 – complements of #9 Fuels. The tickets will be on sale at your participating local convenience store, the Tribal Community Building and at the Kanonhkwatsheri:io Health Facility in St. Regis, Quebec so far.

There will be a toy and food drop off scheduled for November 28th and 29th at the Saint Kateri Hall. Plus the Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce has various drop off sites at our local stores. The Chamber has supplied Coupon Booklets and Dunkin Donuts beverage certificates to be given away at the November 28 and 29 Toy and Food Drop Off Event to individuals who drop off toys and food.

The main fundraiser is scheduled for December 11. This event will be our last event where we will be looking to meet the goals to supply the much needed holiday baskets. The event will be located at the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department Station #1… so please attend and support this worthy cause.

If you are interested in donating to this worthy cause, please call Caroline Peters at 315-296-8668 or Gloria Herne at 518-651-1061.