Rasco From RIF

Bringing Books and Backpacks to the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation

December 18th, 2009

RIF Volunteer Dr. Lucy Her Many Horses arranges books while children from the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation choose RIF books.

As early winter settled over the rolling hills of rural South Dakota in late October, a group of American Indian children in one of the most impoverished communities in America got excited about a special event coming to their school. Reading Is Fundamental and the Office Depot Foundation teamed up to provide each elementary and middle school student at Todd County Public Schools and other schools on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation a free backpack and book. Former Rosebud Tribal Council member Robert Moore coordinated the event. Having worked with Office Depot Foundation President Mary Wong on a backpack distribution in 2008, he contacted RIF after learning about our recent partnership with the National Indian Education Association. With the increased support from Macy’s for our Multicultural Literacy Campaign, RIF was able to provide additional books so that each of the 2,000 children receiving a backpack could choose a book to keep as well.

Most of the children participating will also receive three additional books this year from RIF of Todd County program coordinated by 2007 RIF Volunteer of the Year Lucy Her Many Horses, who was also present at the book and backpack distribution.

Marcus Lee of RIF, Christopher Noe of the Office Depot Foundation, Henry Dunbar of RIF, and Robert Moore of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Tribe display some of the books and backpack to be given away.

“It’s a challenge for a lot of our families to provide something new and fun for these kids,” said Robert Moore. “This gives us a day for honoring these young children, for respecting them and showing them that people care about them.”

Students from the St. Francis Indian School smile with their new books.

The smiles were plentiful as the children paraded past the tables, each with some things brand new that will treasured for some time to come.

Henry Dunbar
RIF Director of Strategic Communications

Filed under: RIF Multicultural Literacy Campaign, Volunteer of the Year Award

Tags: Multicultural Literacy Campaign, Office Depot Foundation, Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation, VOYA