Prior Lake, Minnesota - To share the holiday spirit and make the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays a little brighter for those who are less fortunate, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community awarded $203,496 in charitable donations for the 2006 holiday season. The donations, which went to 38 social service organizations mostly in the Twin Cities, are providing toys, clothing, food, and other gifts for families this holiday season. "The holiday season can be hard for those who are less fortunate so we like to help out where we can. We've been blessed, and we're grateful for the opportunity to help others," said SMSC Chairman Stanley Crooks.

The largest amount given to one organization was $20,000 to the CAP Agency serving Scott, Dakota, and Carver counties. The money will be used for their annual Thanksgiving and Christmas programs for families needing assistance. The CAP Agency is a non-profit organization serving children, families, and senior citizens.

The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of South Dakota received $10,000 for their holiday toy program for the 447 school age children. The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe is located in the poorest county in the United States according to the 2000 Census.

The Minnesota Army National Guard received $2,000 to help buy presents for the patients at the Children's Hospital in St. Paul. The Hmong American Partnership in St. Paul received $1,000 to help deliver food and toys to 250 families. The People of the Plains Wacipi Society of Aberdeen and the Omaka Teca Wacipi in Pine Ridge, both in South Dakota, received $1,000 each for a New Year's Eve Sobriety Pow Wow.

The SMSC has donated to these organizations in the Twin Cities: Ain Dah Yung, All Nations Church, American Indian Family Center, American Indian Community Development Corporation, Division of Indian Works, Department of Indian Works, Elders Lodge, Indian Family Services, Kateri, Little Earth Community Partnership, Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center, Minneapolis American Indian Center, Dorothy Day Center, Minnesota Compassion, People Serving People, Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission, St. Joseph's Home for Children, and the Prior Lake Lion's Club.

In other areas the SMSC has made holiday donations to: Boys & Girls Club of the Three Districts, Boys & Girls Club of Ft. Berthold, the Black Hills American Indian Center, the Cheyenne River Youth Project, Haskell University Off-Campus Club, Indian Youth of America, Marty Head Start, St. Joseph's Indian School, St. Labre Indian School, Browns Valley Family Service Center, Oyate Teca Project, and the Cass Lake Community Family Service Center.

The SMSC will also donate grocery gift cards to low-income Native American families living in Scott County. In addition to the financial contributions, SMSC members and staff participate in a Giving Tree Program, which gives presents anonymously to children in Native American families in need that live in the county.

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