Kicking off the Christmas season

Friday, November 26, 2010

The business office was closed today so our staff could enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend with their families. But there’s always mail to pick up, so I asked the students in the break home if they wanted to help, and I had three eager volunteers. I can actually sort the mail more efficiently by myself, but it gives them a chance to get out of the house and try something different. Sadly, some of the kids never get letters from home. Two of the students didn’t even know where the post office was located. I coached the youngest, Pearl,  how to go up to the counter and politely ask for our tub of mail. When we got home from the sorting, the girls had more fun playing peek-a-boo on either side of the staff mailboxes than actually sorting the mail. They laughed and had a good time. In the end, they felt important because they had helped, which was what I had hoped for all along.

Tonight was Chamberlain’s Parade of Lights festival that kicks off the Christmas season. Santa Claus and a horse-drawn wagon were in front of the Fire Hall to greet folks. St. Joseph’s donated the chili for the free meal at the Fire Hall, and I volunteered for the first shift. Passing out bowls, spoons and welcoming people as they came in was a lot of fun, and much less stressful than some of my other daily responsibilities. Our kids who stayed behind in the break home got to ride on the float with Santa, and were tickled to see folks along main street waving at them.

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. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School