November is Native American Month, and Thanksgiving. If we have a home to live in, food to eat, and a way to keep warm, we can be thankful indeed, we can count our blessings.
My first post here on the Lens Review coincidentally falls the week before Thanksgiving. This is the day and the season for giving thanks for all that we have. And often times we don't even realize our blessings until we see others that have less.
Giving to others or sharing what we have is something many are taught growing up. In the native cultures sharing is an important part of their culture, as it is for many of us. We share our knowledge, tips and tricks online everyday. We might give a tithing to a church, or our favorite charity. No matter how much we have, or don't have, we can always share with others.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill ~
I started following ONE Spirit on Twitter a while back, and even asked a few people if they could donate their old cameras for one of the programs they have for kids. Squidoo has so many charities and I kept thinking this one would be perfect, so imagine my surprise recently when I found Jabaker was a new member. She introduces us to ONE Spirit, a group of people sharing resources and friendships with the Lakota Sioux of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Pine Ridge is a large reservation that sadly many people are living in 3rd World conditions! No running water, scarce food supplies or heat in the dead of winter contribute to early deaths and teen suicide. It is hard to count your blessings when you are freezing or starving to death. Families share what they have with each other, but what about when they don't have anything? Thank God for the people that care enough to help like the Organization ONE Spirit!
“ONE Spirit is one of the oldest organizations that have been working with Pine Ridge. They had hoped to help other reservations, but the need continues..."
Let's welcome them to Squidoo. So far Jeri has written 2 articles, one describing the Organization, and the other ONE Spirit: Wood Program about one of their programs for getting life sustaining wood to people, especially the Elders. South Dakota winters are hard, and while we sit in our warm homes, counting our blessings, it's hard to imagine people in America freezing to death.
ONE Spirit is in the process of applying as a Squidoo Charity, but in the meantime they have a paypal button on their website that can be used for donations. Sharing our blessings with others is what it's all about!
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