Lakota Friends Circle 2023 Annual Report
At Lakota Friends Circle (LFC), we take pride in sharing our achievements and the impact of our programs over the past year. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, we rely on the generous support of our donors, both monetary and in-kind, to sustain our various initiatives. Our valued partners include Sew For Kids Volunteers, Ravelry group For the Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations, Pine Ridge Elders group, and contributors from the former Halfknits group.
Program Highlights:
1) Scholarship Program:
Providing financial assistance to students pursuing higher education or vocational training. We provided 7 scholarships last year.
2) Gather Our Children Home (WGO):
Offering emergency care and foster services for abused and neglected children aged 0-12. They can have up to 12 kids at a time.
3) Bright Start:
Supporting pregnant mothers and infants up to 3 years old with home visitations, education, and essential resources. They serve 25-30 patients per month.
4) Rosebud Sioux Tribe Maternal and Child Health Program:
Offering education and resources for high-risk pregnant women and their babies up to 2 years old. They serve 30-45 clients per month.
5) Maggie’s House:
Supporting high-risk youth aged 16-25 with essential items, education, housing, and life skills. They have 6 live in clients at one time and also have an education outreach program.
6) Nursing Home in White Clay, Nebraska:
Assisting with the needs of elderly residents. 48 elders
7) Veterans Home on Pine Ridge Reservation:
Providing support and resources for veterans. 6-13 at one time.
8)Reservation Outreach:
Serving communities such as Red Shirt and Oglala with essential resources and project support. They serve up to 400 people yearly.
9) Juvenile Detention Center:
Offering assistance and resources for youth on the Rosebud Reservation. Number varies re clients helped.
10) Rosebud Elementary School:
Supporting educational needs for over 300 students and gifts for 50 staff members.
11) Marty Indian School:
Assisting with resources and support for the school serving 75-95 students on the Yankton Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Teachers are also assisted with items through the room parent from a far program.
12) White Buffalo Calf Woman’s Society:
Providing a safe haven for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, as well as supporting the wider community. Can house 40 clients in the main house and use motels for men or boys 16 and over and have a few trailers for families.
13) Wanblee Programs for Children, Youth, and Elders:
Distributing essential items based on community needs. They serve 42 elders and 230-250 individuals at the NAHA drop offs.
14) Ruby’s Homeless Program:
While no longer active due to Ruby’s passing, it provided food and essential items to the homeless. Client numbers varied based on need.
| Program | Budget Proposal | Actual expenses |
| Administrative Costs | $5,000 | $4,255 |
| Bright Start | $5,000 | $4,141 |
| RST Maternal and Child | $5,000 | $6,581 |
| Scholarship Program | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| Marty Indian School | $5,000 | $2,482 |
| Ruby’s Homeless Program | $4,000 | $3,832 |
| Veteran’s Home | $500 | $140 |
| Maggie’s House | $1,000 | $177 |
| Wanblee Programs | $3,000 | $2,780 |
| Rosebud School | $500 | N/A |
| Foster Home | $5,000 | $29,326.57 |
| New Programs | $10,000 | N/A |
| Reservation Outreach | N/A | $2,634 |
| WBCWS | N/A | $712 |
| Total Expenses | $49,000 | $64,060.57 |
Financial Overview:
In 2023, Lakota Friends Circle began with $49,119.60, bolstered by a successful Giving Tuesday fundraiser and remaining funds from a previous church donation. Total funds raised amounted to $59,742.01, with expenditures totaling $63,958.21 exceeding the budgeted amount of $49,000 because we helped with the consulting fees for the foster home which ended in April 2023. The surplus amount we have left at the end of each year is essential to address unforeseen needs that arise throughout the year.
Our partner groups, including ForThe Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations, Pine Ridge Elders, and Sew For Kids Volunteers, have provided invaluable in-kind donations. These include essential items such as clothing, blankets, toys, toiletries, household items, and educational supplies, enriching the lives of those we serve.
Sew For Kids Volunteers Doll Project:
The Sew For Kids Volunteers Doll Project, in its 9th year, exceeded its goal of 500 dolls/ animals by sending 705 items to various sites, benefiting communities across Pine Ridge and Rosebud and Yankton Sioux Reservations. Additionally, $818.95 was donated to the Marty Indian School Snack Fund through doll clothing sales.
Conclusion:
The support of our donors, volunteers, and partner organizations has been instrumental in achieving our mission of providing aid and support to communities in need. The substantial in-kind donations reflect the generosity and compassion of our supporters, enabling us to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to our efforts in 2023.
Please see what each of our partner groups donated in the following sections.
For The Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations
| Organization | Items |
| Nursing Home | 65 hats, 29 gloves, 60 blankets, 17 lap afghans, 21 scarves, 444 holiday greeting cards |
| Maggie’s House | Healthy snacks, clothing, toiletries |
| Bright Start | Clothes, toys, diapers, blankets, wipes, towels, hats, socks, mittens, teething helpers |
| Rosebud School | Christmas bags with a love hug, toy, healthy snacks, books, school and office supplies, teachers’ supplies, toiletries, shoes, clothing |
| White Buffalo | Baby clothes, kids clothes, women’s clothes, household goods, toys, toiletries, snacks, sewing machines |
| Red Shirt | Clothes, toiletries, household items, toys, shoes, graduation gift bags, Christmas gift bags |
| Veteran’s Shelter | Clothes, food, toiletries, household items, greeting cards, books, games, art supplies, medical supplies |
| Ruby | Utility bills paid each month, food, clothing, household items, toiletries, Easter baskets, camera |
| Juvenile Detention Center | Books |
Pine Ridge Elders
| Location | Items |
| Allen Youth Center | 28 children’s hats, 5 throws, 4 sweaters |
| Oglala Sioux Lakota Nursing Home | 26 hats, 5 hats/neck warmers, 11 shawls, 1 throw |
| Red Shirt | 35 children’s hats, 10 sweaters, 12 throws, 15 shawls for elders, 15 hats for elders |
| Veterans Homeless Shelter | 13 throws, 13 hats/neck warmers |
| Wanblee Child, Youth and Elder Program | 9 throws, 40 adult hats, 15 baby blankets, 86 children’s hats, 20 scarves, 5 pairs of slippers, 1 poncho, 50 hat/neck warmer sets, 9 throws |
| Misc Families | 27 hats, 1 throw, 2 sweaters |
Sew For Kids Volunteers Doll Donations
| SFK Site | Reservation | # Items |
| Bright Start | Pine Ridge | 23 |
| Gather Our children Home | Pine Ridge | 75 |
| Maggie’s House | Pine Ridge | 2 |
| Reservation Outreach | Pine Ridge | 62 |
| Wanblee Child, Youth & Elder Health | Pine Ridge | 162 |
| Rosebud Sioux Tribal Maternal & Child Health | Rosebud | 7 |
| White Buffalo Calf Women’s Society | Rosebud | 208 |
| Marty Indian School | Yankton | 166 |
| Total Items | 705 |
The 705 items included: 159 fashion dolls ,205 child dolls , 16 baby dolls. 72 activity bags, 253 other dolls.
Sew For Kids Volunteers Donations
| Category | Kids | Babies | Adults | Total |
| Pants/Jeans | 634 | 165 | 201 | 974 |
| Shirts/Tops | 650 | 375 | 230 | 1255 |
| Dress | 148 | N/A | N/A | 148 |
| Hoodies/Sweatshirts | 150 | 83 | 74 | 307 |
| Coats/Jackets | 177 | 88 | 17 | 282 |
| Baby Sleepers | N/A | 313 | N/A | 313 |
| PJs | 206 | 155 | 67 | 428 |
| Onesies | N/A | 241 | N/A | 241 |
| Socks | 239 | 169 | 141 | 549 |
| Shoes | 170 | 36 | 77 | 283 |
| Winter hats | 227 | 72 | 60 | 359 |
| Gloves/mittens | 200 | 9 | 22 | 231 |
| Boots | 101 | 4 | 53 | 158 |
| Underwear | 750 | 67 | 162 | 979 |
| Totals | 3652 | 1777 | 1104 | 6533 |
Additional – Socks: 5000 pairs from Bombas
| Category | Total |
| Blanket/Quilt | 619 |
| Sheets | 86 |
| Towels | 130 |
| Washcloths | 167 |
| Pillows | 26 |
| Pillowcases | 97 |
| Total | 1125 |
| Miscellaneous | Total |
| Backpacks | 120 |
| Tote bags | 300 |
| Books | 250 |
| Moms Toiletry Bags | 109 |
| Total | 779 |
| Category | Total |
| Household Linens | 506 |
| Blankets | 619 |
| Clothing | 2616 |
| Coats/Outerwear | 589 |
| PJs | 741 |
| Accessories | 590 |
| Footwear | 441 |
| Underwear/Socks | 1528 |
| Books and bags | 779 |
| Total | 8409 |
This list does not include party items, room parent items, etc.