URGENT NEED

Christmas Gifts for Native Children Needed at American Indian Center of Chicago

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

Short 50% of Need

CHICAGO - The plea came in an email posted as an "Urban" Smoke Signal from the American Indian Center of Chicago:

"We at the American Indian Center are asking for TOYS for our annual Christmas party!! With the sluggish economy we didn't receive HALF as many gifts as we need to supply all the children that will be attending our Annual Family Holiday Party this Saturday, December 17."

"We have fallen short of gifts for the low income native families right here in Chicago who need your support of gifts or cash donations via our website," commented Joe Podiasek, Ojibwe, executive director, of the American Indian Center of Chicago.

"Not many people think of Native children needing help in Chicago, but we have the third largest population of off-reservation families in the country."

The need is for gifts for boys and girls from newborn to age 14. The American Indian Center of Chicago annual party is for families it provides human services to throughout the year.

The American Indian Center of Chicago is the oldest urban American Indian organization in the United States. The Center was established in 1953 during the Relocation Era as a place where American Indians coming from reservations could meet and soon become a collaborative community.

Due to budget cuts by the City of Chicago, the American Indian Center lost the total budgeted funds it previously received. The funds supported the school youth program and elder lunches, according to Podiasek.

For those in or near Chicago who want to donate, please drop gifts off at:

American Indian Center of Chicago
1630 West Wilson
Chicago, Il 60640

or

The Trickster Gallery, owned and operated by the American Indian Center
190 S. Roselle Road
Schaumburg, Il 60193

To Donate by telephone the American Indian Center:
773.275.5871

To Donate online through PayPal
www.AIC-Chicago.org

posted December 15, 2011 9:10 am est