Letters to Santa from the children of the Cheyenne River Reservation

Hello:

In the post Billboard Shopping Madness I made reference to a "Letters to Santa" project that I was hoping Liguori Publications would get behind. As I expected, the project was immediately approved and this coming Monday we will begin collecting Christmas gifts for the children of the Cheyenne River Reservation. I thought my BLOG readers would like to see the email we are sending out to our employees Monday.

The tie-in to The ABC's of Christmas by Francine M. O'Connor and Illustrated by Bartholomew seems straight forward enough. I'll just add that it is a very attractive hardcover book that makes a great gift.

Peace,

P. Del Ricci - Dark Glass

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Dear Liguori:

The past year has been a time of need for many people. Whether it is supporting our soldiers in foreign lands, donating our time and our money to help those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, or collecting goods to aid the victims of the hurricanes - the employees of Liguori Publications have consistently shown the strength of their compassion. In spite of all those calls to action, there have been a few inquiries about ways we could help underprivileged families this Christmas season. Just as people began asking that question the St. Louis Post Dispatch ran an article about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and their annual Letters to Santa effort.

Participating in Letters to Santa is a great way for us to share the joy and spirit of Christmas with children who would otherwise have very little. Please take a few minutes during your lunch or break to stop by the Mission Sponsorship table or the table outside the Copy Area. We'll have actual letters to Santa written by boys and girls like Nakai Charging Eagle who would love some CD's but needs new shoes and Pheobe White Magpie who wants a Barbie doll but would also love to have a pillow and a warm blanket. When you find a letter you want to shop for, just take it out of the stack and mark that letter off on the log sheet. It is important to mark it on the log sheet, because the Youth Project will need to find homes for any letters we do not adopt.

All gifts need to dropped off at Liguori by Friday, December 2nd to allow time for shipping.

Each year the St. Louis area helps the Cheyenne River Youth Project to make Christmas a little brighter for more than 400 children. We are hoping that Liguori can help to make a few Christmas dreams come true for 30 kids. As you read the letters you'll see requests for big things and little things. Buy whatever you feel comfortable with but try to buy at least one item the child asked for. The children may really need socks and underwear but Christmas will be much more special if there is a toy sitting along side them. Think of your own Christmas memories and you'll know what to do!

Keep reading below to learn a little more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and the children they help. These children will be forever grateful that you shared the warmth of your family's Christmas with theirs.

- The Employee Activity Committee