Win Handmade
"Christmas" Lakota Star Quilt
EAGLE BUTTE, SOUTH DAKOTA The Cheyenne River Youth Project
has just launched its Christmas Star Quilt Raffle, giving members
of the public a chance to win the distinctive, queen size Lakota
star quilt appropriately named "A Christmas Star." CRYP's staff
is eager to see where the requests for raffle tickets originate,
as the 25-year-old, not-for-profit youth organization's raffle fundraisers
tend to reach far beyond US borders. Previous years' raffle winners
have come from as far away as the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
"The
best part of these raffles is that they're international," said
Julie Garreau, CRYP's executive director. "Anyone can buy tickets,
whether you live in South Dakota, elsewhere in the United States
or in another country."
The blue and white quilt is hand-crafted by Bonnie LeBeau, an
enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
Star quilts originated among the Great Plains nations after
European contact. The star pattern evolved from the nations' original
buffalo-robe designs.
"Our people simply adopted the newcomers' quilting techniques
and adapted them to suit our culture," said Tammy Eagle Hunter,
CRYP's youth programs director. "A star quilt is a truly one-of-a-kind
item to add to your home or give to a loved one." "For this year's
Christmas star quilt raffle, we're adding an extra challenge,"
she continued. "We're hoping to raise $2,500 in honor of CRYP's
25th anniversary. All proceeds will benefit our youth programming
and services."
Tickets are already on sale and may be purchased until Tuesday,
December 24. CRYP will conduct the drawing and announce the winner
on Friday, December 27; the organization will then ship the quilt
to the winner free of charge.
"There are several ways people can help with the raffle,"
Eagle Hunter said. "First, buy tickets. They are $1 each or $5
for a six-ticket packet. You also can sell tickets for us, and
help spread the word by telling family and friends, sharing information
on Facebook and posting on Twitter."
To purchase tickets go to www.lakotayouth.org.
Simply click the "Donate Now" button on the home page, and put
"A Christmas Star" in the notes section when paying with a credit
card. Please avoid writing the word "raffle" anywhere in the payment.
Or send cash, checks or money orders by mail to:
Cheyenne River Youth Project
Attn: Christmas Star Quilt
P.O. Box 410
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
To sell tickets, please send an email to Julie Garreau, CRYP's
executive director, at Julie.CRYP@gmail.com.
She will send as many tickets as you request; they come in books
of six. Once you receive your tickets, along a quilt photo and information
sheet, you will be responsible for selling those tickets. All tickets
need to be turned in by December 24 so CRYP can conduct the drawing
as planned on December 27.
Garreau also noted that buying a raffle ticket can lead to much
more.
"One of our raffle winners, Shaun McGirr, ended up traveling
to the Cheyenne River reservation to serve as a volunteer during
our Christmas Toy Drive," Garreau recalled. "You just never know
where your raffle ticket might take you. You might win a star
quilt, you might discover a passion for volunteering, you might
decide to fulfill a "Dear Santa" letter in our toy drive
but no matter what happens, you know that your contribution makes
a real difference in the lives of Cheyenne River's children."
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its
programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering,
call 605.964.8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org.
The
Cheyenne River Youth Project®
The Cheyenne River Youth Project® was founded in January 1988
in response to the communitys need for more services that
support struggling children and their families. Originally housed
in a converted bar on the towns Main Street, the organization
created a safe place for children to come after school, offering
activities such as arts and crafts, intramural sports and volunteer
mentorship, in addition to serving a healthy meal and snack each
day. The youth center, known locally as The Main, was
operated completely by a volunteer staff and quickly became a vital
element of the Cheyenne River Community. Despite its small size,
and very little money for programming, the center was filled to
capacity each day.
http://www.lakotayouth.org/
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