It’s the best word I can find…

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Donna, Executive Director of Corporate Services

Humbling. That’s the best word I can find.

Today we had the biggest volume of incoming mail in months. Practically all of it consisted of gifts, well-wishes and Christmas greetings, all from our generous supporters.

St. Joseph’s Indian School strives to acknowledge all donations in short order. This can be a challenge when volumes are large.  Because the quantity of mail was so great today, our Mail Processing staff sent out an SOS for assistance in sorting.  Feeling confident that no one would miss me at my desk for an hour or two, I headed to the sorting room.

Tray upon tray of mail greeted me when I arrived. A number of other staff members were already at work sorting the mail according to size.  This process enables the pieces to be fed properly into the machine which automatically opens the envelopes.

I saw return addresses from all over the country. Many envelopes had hand-written holiday greetings.  Others had a colorful array of Christmas stamps. One poor wrinkled-looking envelope had an  address that was barely legible.  I said a silent prayer to the Post Office for their diligence in getting all of that wonderful mail to us, including those pieces with challenges.

What I felt with each piece of mail that I handled was a deep respect for our supporters. Those envelopes showed me that our benefactors care.  That so many people from so many places believe in our mission in little Chamberlain, South Dakota, and the work we do with the Lakota students is very humbling.

I thank you.

 

Donna

Executive Director of Corporate Services

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 “It’s the best word I can find…”

  1. It means a lot to those who send donations to know so many others are so willing to help, also. Some of our donations are small compared to others perhaps, but they are given willingly and with love for all the work you do for the children. Happy New Year to everyone!

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