Red Lake Nation Christmas Toy Drive Huge Success

The Red Lake Nation Toy Drive for 2012 added a little more fun to the process by implementing a "Toy Drive Challenge." The Toy Drive Challenge will be an annual event. The department winning the challenge was awarded a traveling trophy, that will be passed on to the winner in 2013 with the groups name engraved on the trophy.

This years winner was the Red Lake Accounting Department which raised $2,549.69. They used a several prong approach by having a raffle drawing, hosting a ribeye steak dinner, and staff cash donations.

Other programs and entities that participated were: The Red Lake Hospital which raised $2,050.00; The Red Lake DNR who raised $1,327; The Elderly Maintenance Program raised $795.50; Red Lake Middle School came through with $345.20; and the Ponemah Student Council raised $280 plus donated several toys.

"The Red Lake Toy Drive Committee would like to thank everyone that participated in the 2012 Challenge," said Barbara Beaulieu, secretary to the Tribal Treasurer. "You all did a great job and raised a total of $7,347.39 for the children of Red Lake!" She went on to thank all who donated, and to the dozens of volunteers that made it all happen.

In addition to those who participated in the "Toy Drive Challenge," more than thirty-five off reservation businesses/vendors donated cash from $25 to $500. Many tribal programs and enterprises, and scores of individuals donated what they could including several employees who gave through payroll deductions.

According to Beaulieu, a grand total of $30,242.89 was received in mostly cash donations, but other entities also donated toys.

YEAR TWO OF THE TOY DRIVE

Dozens of Volunteers Raise $30,000 +

Toys Distributed to Nearly 2000 Kids

Over 2000 kids at the Red Lake Indian Reservation had a happier Christmas this year thanks to dozens of volunteers, and donations from scores of businesses and individuals. Prior to last year, the US Military out of the Twin Cities sent toys up to Red Lake for Christmas, but due to poor donations last year, they were unable to provide toys outside the metro area.

Red Lake Tribal Treasurer Darrell G. Seki, Sr., his staff, and other tribal headquarters staff quickly took charge to find toys for the kids at Red Lake last year, and then again this year. Seki cut a radio commercial asking for donations for toys or cash for Red Lake kids. In return for a $10 unwrapped gift or more...or cash…donators received a coupon for a $5 play at any of the Seven Clans Casinos.

According to Barbara Beaulieu, Secretary to the Tribal Treasurer, the volunteer group then sent out letters asking for help from the many vendors who do business with Red Lake programs or government. “The team raised nearly thousands of dollars in mostly cash donations. Red Lake government employees chipped in by donating hundreds of dollars in payroll deductions.”

“About 2000 kids, ages 0 to 17 in Ponemah, Redby, Red Lake and Little Rock communities received gifts,” said Beaulieu. “Parents who wanted to sign their kids up for toys had to fill out a form and demonstrate need. Duluth tribal members also received toys as they are also out of the area that the Military formerly served.” Red Lake members from the Twin Cities are covered by the Toys for Tots program.

Volunteer teams go out and buy toys with the cash donations for both boys and girls and according to age groups; 0 to 3, 4 to 8, 9 to 13, and 14 to 17. They buy a variety of toys from a variety of stores who either donated to the cause, or communities where tribal members live, including Park Rapids and Thief River Falls.