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 $233,446 in charitable donations for the 2007 holiday season. The donations, which went to 44 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 $25,000 to the CAP Agency serving Scott, Dakota, and Carver counties in Minnesota. Of that amount, $20,000 will be used for their annual Thanksgiving and Christmas programs for families needing assistance. The remaining $5,000 will be used for the food shelf. The CAP Agency is a non-profit organization serving children, families, and senior citizens.

The Salvation Army in Minneapolis received $12,000 for their Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and gifts. The Little Earth Community Partnership in Minneapolis received $10,400 for their holiday program.

The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of South Dakota received $10,000 for their holiday toy program for 447 school age children. The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe is located in the poorest county in the United States according to the 2000 Census. A $10,000 donation was also made to the Minneapolis American Indian Center for the holidays.

Union Gospel Mission, the Upper Midwest American Indian Center, the Department of Indian Works, and the American Indian Family Center each received a donation of $9,000 for their holiday programs.

The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate in South Dakota received $5,340 for Toys for Tots. The Minnesota Army National Guard received $2,000 to help buy presents for the patients at the Children's Hospital in St. Paul.

Other organizations in the Twin Cities receiving SMSC holiday donations are: Ain Dah Yung, All Nations Church, Division of Indian Works, Elders Lodge, First Nations Recovery Center, Indian Family Services, Indian Fellowship, Intertribal Elders Services, Kateri, Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center, Minneapolis American Indian Center, Dorothy Day Center, Minnesota Compassion, Women of Nations, People Serving People, St. Joseph's Home for Children, CAC for Dakota and Scott Counties Armful of Love, and the Prior Lake Lion's Club.

In other areas the SMSC made holiday donations to: Boys & Girls Club of the Three Districts, the Black Hills American Indian Center, the Cheyenne River Youth Project, Haskell University Children's Christmas Party, Indian Youth of America, St. Joseph's Indian School, Browns Valley Family Service Center, the Yankton Sioux Housing Authority, 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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