St. Joseph’s Delivers All the Right Ingredients for Summertime Fun!

Bryan, Evan and Colton of St. Joseph’s Indian School took sporting equipment to children living in two neighboring reservation communities.

St. Joseph’s Indian School Rec Center staff were able to show a little love to two neighboring reservations in July.

Staff loaded a St. Joseph’s van on a summer day and drove to Fort Thompson, a small community located on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. With them they took basketballs, softballs, bats, pogo sticks, Frisbees, footballs and track shoes — all the gear kiddos need for fun in the sun!

The organization that received all the summertime fun essentials was the Suicide Prevention/Diamond Willow Youth Center.

From there, the St. Joseph’s crew then traveled to the Lower Brule Indian Reservation to give the same supplies to the local Boys and Girls Club.

“Both facilities thanked us several times,” said Bryan, St. Joseph’s Rec Center Coordinator. “They were very excited and appreciative of all the goodies.”

A few recipients look very happy with all the goodies St. Joseph’s was able to donate!

But none were as thankful as the children who were able to play with all the new gear.

“At Lower Brule, the kids started showing-up while we were unloading. They hopped on the pogo sticks and started having contests to see who could do the most jumps without falling,” said Bryan. “All the kids had huge smiles and it was fun for us to watch as they enjoyed the donation.”

How many times can you jump on a pogo stick without falling?

The Rec Center staff plans to continue donating items for many summers to come as long as we are able.

Philámayayethank you — to our generous supporters who not only allow us to bless over 200 Lakota (Sioux) children at our school, but children in South Dakota reservation communities, as well!

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

4 thoughts on “St. Joseph’s Delivers All the Right Ingredients for Summertime Fun!”

  1. Do y’all have opportunities to volunteer? I’m goin to be visiting my family in Siouxfalls next summer and would love to be of service if I am needed. WakanTanka niyawaštepi ni yelo.

    1. It’s possible we will have volunteer opportunities during that time, but St. Joseph’s volunteer program on campus is extremely limited. To ensure the safety of our children we are required to do extensive screening, fingerprinting and background checks on everyone who works with the boys and girls. Please visit stjo.org/volunteer for an application.

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