Toy Drive For Pine Ridge

As of December 31, 2023 the Toy Drive for Pine Ridge non-profit will cease to exist.
When we put together the first benefit show in 2003, as far as I knew it would be a one time thing. Little did I know that for the next 20 years it would become a constant in my life.
As we enter into the 20th year, my life has become such that I can no longer devote the time and energy to it. I am happy to say though that lately there are many more non-profits doing good work on the reservation so I feel that whatever hole we leave will be filled and was reassured of that when I spoke with elders on the reservation about this.
I can’t even begin to explain how much the last 20 years of doing this has affected me. The heartwarming and heartbreaking stories, the love I’ve seen shown, the coming together of community for a good cause, the friends I’ve made both here and on the Rez. I can safely say I wouldn’t be the person I am today without this experience. And I also cannot begin to say thank you enough to all the amazing people who have supported, worked tirelessly, and donated, to make all of it a reality and a success. Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
We will continue to purchase propane for elders until the end of the year and what money is left will be transferred to a non-profit on the reservation. As of now we will be closing down all donation avenues and there will be no events held this year.
Thank you all again and please remember, we’re all in this together and need to help each other when and where we can.
Mitákuye oyás’in
(We are all related)

Larry Dunn
President, Toy Drive for Pine Ridge.

Tomorrow night from 6-9 we’ll be hanging out with our friends from Blues Society of Omaha at the The Waiting Room Lounge talking about the new focus of the toy drive, the propane fund. Hope to see you there!

I’ve been getting calls since yesterday. It’s gotten so bad that the propane company is shut down today and possibly tomorrow they told me. 🥶

This is happening Friday night in Shenandoah. Many thanks to our friends in the Union County Trio and Bill Hillman for making this happen.
I have no idea where that photo of me, obviously not dressed for a gig, and playing a guitar I don’t recognize, came from 🤣
But I’ll be there hanging out and sitting in with the band as well.
Hope to see some of you out there. And remember, donations can be made year round at www.toydriveforpineridge.org

Haven’t posted much in a while…
I don’t have the March numbers yet, but in February, thanks to you all, we bought over $20,000 of propane for residents of the Pine Ridge reservation. Thank you for making that possible. ❤️

And the latest story to illustrate conditions….
A man called from Pine Ridge this weekend. Very reticent to ask for help as is usually the case. Told me that he and his family started a bonfire in the yard and would go out to the bonfire to warm up and then go back in the house.
Needless to say, the propane is on its way. Thanks to you folks. ❤️