Reservations to get heating aid
Billy Mills' nonprofit to give $75,000 in matching funds
TERRY WOSTER
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Article Published: 12/19/05, 2:55 am
A national group headed by Olympic distance running champion Billy Mills will send $75,000 to two South Dakota Indian reservations to help cover heating costs this winter.
Running Strong for American Indian Youth, based in Virginia, has targeted the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where Mills grew up, and the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation for the funds, which are to be matched by tribal districts.
The recent ice storm and blizzard, coupled with cold early-December weather, will make it difficult for some people to keep propane tanks full or woodpiles replenished, the organization said.
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The harsh early weather "is a disaster for the heating budgets families had planned,'' Mills, national spokesman for Running Strong, said in a statement.
"Some families are currently sharing a heater to make it through these freezing nights. Children are sleeping wearing their winter jackets. We can help these families."
The organization is offering $5,000 each to the nine districts on the Pine Ridge Reservation, to be matched by the local districts. Nearly $30,000 is being directed toward matching programs on the Cheyenne River Reservation.
The money should be available soon after the holidays, said Molly Farrell, media and program coordinator for Running Strong.
"These coordinated efforts will help families in need stretch their heating dollars," said Mills, the only American to win a gold medal (1964) in the Olympic 10,000-meter run.
It's the ninth year the organization has offered heating help at Pine Ridge, the fourth year at Cheyenne River.
Last year each of the nine Pine Ridge districts matched $4,000 from Running Strong, said Robert Running Bear, energy and heating coordinator for the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
"This year, they moved it up $1,000, so that'll give us $45,000 from the districts and the same from Running Strong, a total of $90,000," Running Bear said. "That will really help a lot of people. I'm getting close to running low on funds, and I haven't heard about any moves for contingency or emergency funding, so this is going to be a huge help. I'm always looking for money in this program. We have a lot of area to cover, an incredibly large area, and it creates a hardship on people when there's a couple of weeks of tremendously cold weather and blowing snow."
Last year, 152 families received some help through the program on the Cheyenne River Reservation. That number is expected to be higher this year, officials say.
"For many families, daily life and meeting their basic needs can be challenging enough. But when you add a bitter cold winter, the situation becomes critical, in some cases life-threatening," said Julie Garreau, executive director of the Cheyenne River Youth Project.
"Running Strong supports a program that not only eases financial strain but removes some emotional stress from the circumstance. There can't be a worse situation than worrying that you may not be able to heat your home for your kids."
Running Strong for American Indian Youth describes itself as a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with the mission of strengthening Native American communities by creating opportunities for self-sufficiency and self-esteem.
Reach Terry Woster at 605-224-2760.
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