If you have visited my website in the past you are probably asking yourself if you are in the right place.  For many years 'Garbo' was dedicated to my love of silent movies and history.  You can still find some of that material under 'About'.  Hobbies are nice, but I have been changing lives.  You can do the same.  Please take a few minutes to read about the Lakota of Pine Ridge Reservation, their struggles, and how you can help.  

A butterfly flaps it's wings and causes a hurricane  on the other side of the planet.  Heard that one before? It is a simplified explanation of Chaos Theory. Small changes at the beginning can make a large impact on the outcome.

When I first learned about Pine Ridge, I was overwhelmed.  How could I possibly help these people?  They needed so much and I have my own obligations. I packed up a box with notebooks, crayons and some crafting bits and mailed it to a reservation organization.  I was kind of embarrassed to be sending so little. A couple weeks later I received a lovely thank you letter telling me how much the kids appreciated what I had sent. What I saw as a small donation was received as a true gift of generosity by them.  My crayons had made a child smile.

That letter opened my eyes and changed my life.  

You need to start with small steps. Learn about the reservation, the people and the culture.  I have made it easy for you. It is a very enriching experience.

Check out the different organizations that are active on the reservation. There are organizations for women, children, elders, culture, housing and education. Pick one that interests you and find their needs.  Most list the material goods needed by their clients.  Send them what you can.  Every little bit helps!

Once you get your feet wet, you might want to help out other organizations or sponsor a family.  I do both.  I prefer sponsoring a family because I communicate directly with them and can immediately help with their needs. I love seeing the difference my 'butterfly' is making in their lives.


doloresm@gmail.com