The Cheyenne River Youth Project has begun (Nov. 4, 2024) the 2024 Wo Otúh’an Wi Toy Drive, which will serve more than 1,000 children again this year. The grassroots, Native-led nonprofit has conducted this massive national drive for more than three decades, which makes “the Moon of Giving Away Presents” its longest-running and most deeply beloved program.
It’s an ambitious undertaking, even with so many years of experience. CRYP guarantees that each child receives up to four gifts from their personal “wish list,” as well as much-needed winter clothing and shoes. To ensure that every child’s wishes come true, staff and volunteers work around the clock to build nationwide partnerships, arrange complex logistics, and collect, wrap and distribute many thousands of gifts to families in 20 communities across the reservation, which is home to four bands of the Lakota Nation.
For Julie Garreau, CRYP’s founder and chief executive officer, Wo Otúh’an Wi is the right program at the right time. Multiple cultures celebrate important holidays in December; the Lakota people are no different, and the toy drive provides a special opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate traditional Lakota values.
“For us as Lakota people, the winter solstice is a time of going inward,” Garreau explained. “We gather with our loved ones for warmth, storytelling, nourishment and expressing gratitude as we head into waníyetu (winter) and its dark, cold moons.
“It is a sacred time, and here at CRYP, we choose to honor it with our annual toy drive,” she continued. “Through gift-giving, our families hopefully are able to come together for their own sacred time filled with joy, love and a measure of peace. And, as we live our Lakota values of generosity and caring for others, we hope our children feel how loved and treasured they are.”
Indeed, the toy drive is not simply about the gifts themselves. It’s about experiencing the surprise and joy that comes with a wish fulfilled, as well as the many special ways family members show care for each other.
“Several years ago, I was choosing gifts for a particular child who had requested typical toys like Legos and action figures,” remembered Laure Lachaud, CRYP’s volunteer program manager and longtime toy drive coordinator. “I saw the child also requested ‘a watch for my grandma, because she takes care of me and doesn’t have one.’
“We were nearing the end of the toy drive, so I didn’t have much hope,” she continued. “Then, a miracle: I found a women’s watch sitting at the back of a table. I’ll never forget that day, because it reminds me that the toy drive can bring joy to the whole family.”
Such a large undertaking, however, would not be possible without an extensive network of supporters across the country and even around the world. Garreau and Lachaud said there are multiple ways to help CRYP staff with this year’s toy drive.
First and foremost, supporters can adopt a child’s “wish list” and shop for specific gifts for that particular child. When the child receives these carefully selected packages, each will bear their own name rather than a generic card for “Boy, Age 5” or “Girl, Age 8.”
“No matter how much our toy drive has expanded over the years, we have always remained true to our original intention — to keep it personal,” Garreau said. “Our toy drive really is unique in that way. We want each and every child to know they matter.
“We are now serving our second generation of children, and every now and then, an adult in our community will approach us to say they still remember how they received a very special gift through CRYP long ago,” she added. “It made fulfilled a wish, made a dream come true and brought real happiness, and they remember.”
Supporters also may send gifts directly to CRYP from the youth project’s Amazon list of preferred toys, contribute gift cards or wrapping supplies, and donate funds. Those who wish to physically lend a hand can coordinate a local toy drive for CRYP at their school, office, church or neighborhood.
They also may volunteer for on-site gift wrapping at the CRYP campus in December. The youth project will provide lodging and some meals for all volunteers.
To adopt a wish list, access CRYP’s Toy Drive toolkit for coordinating a local toy drive, and learn more about the additional ways to help, visit lakotayouth.org/toy-drive.
“We serve anywhere from 1,000 to upwards of 1,500 children through the toy drive, and our supporters make the magic possible,” Lachaud said. “Every year, I am blown away by the amount of donations that pour in. Together, we can make so many joyful moments possible for Cheyenne River families.”
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