The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota and Simply Smiles

[Jane Ellingwood]

Dear Roger,

I mentioned this organization to you a while back, when I was first learning about it. Simply Smiles is non-profit agency here in Connecticut that works in two locations:  Mexico and South Dakota. The projects in SD are undertaken with members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.  

Many UCC churches in CT are engaged with Simply Smiles, and the Board of Outreach for my church, the First Congregational Church of Bethel, UCC, voted last year to devote most of our outreach efforts to helping Simply Smiles and the people with whom they work.  Only a couple of members of my church have been on one of the mission trips to Mexico, and no one has gone to SD, but we've done a lot of projects to help raise money or make blankets or donate tools or other things.  

However, the "new news" is that our new interim minister has gathered a small group of four adults, including herself, to make a special trip to SD with Simply Smiles this summer.  They will work with Simply Smiles and talk with members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and they will see what kind of long term relationships and projects can be started. The goal is for our church to do more next year, after this exploratory trip has been undertaken.  The minister asked if some of us could donate money to sponsor these four adults to go this summer, and I have offered to do so.  I did this because of you and what you have told us in this forum. This is the part I am able to play, and the "deed" that I am able to do, although I do also pray for the people you ask us to pray for.  

So, please continue to share your stories, and rest assured that even if people don't actually tell you about it, they may possibly be doing something because of what you tell us.

Below is more information on Simply Smiles.   

Jane 

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Simply Smiles web site:

http://www.simplysmiles.org/

See this page for information about the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, whom they refer to as our neighbors:

http://www.simplysmiles.org/our-projects/Cheyenne-River-Sioux-Tribe/

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

These are our neighbors.  How can we let this be?

On the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota there exists poverty on a staggering scale.  As our first domestic endeavor, Simply Smiles is honored to have been welcomed into this community and to be able to support these incredible children and their families.

We are committed to a vision to curtail suicides, to provide basic needs, to give children an alternative to the dangers of the streets, to preserve and cultivate the rich Lakota Culture, and to provide bright futures for these impoverished children.

The needs on the reservation are shocking. Take a look at these facts.

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[Jean Easland]

Deep loving Jane: The best person in the world to contact for on sight insight is Pauline Webb, pastor the Eagle Butte United Church of Christ. She is a life long resident and is doing fabulous work inside and outside the Church there. Thanks so much for caring for these wonderful people.+++Roger