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CALL TO ACTION FOR THE YOUTH OF CHERRY CREEK May 5, 2006 Susan Bates

Last year I told you about a woman named Lola Davis who was asking for donations to fill up small boxes to distribute to Lakota People on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Through your generosity, she was able to donate between 30 and 40 toys to each of the 4 pastors on the reservation, plus there were 90 gifts left over which were given to a Cherry Creek leader who runs a youth program. Now Ms. Davis has plans to expand the program to help the youth of Cherry Creek. During the dark days of extermination, Big Foot's Band camped at Cherry Creek where they were joined by the Hunkpapa and other Bands. From Cherry Creek they traveled to Pine Ridge where they met with Chief Red Cloud. On December 29, 1890, the 7th Cavalry caught them at a place called Wounded Knee, disarmed them, then slaughtered the helpless men, women and children, leaving the dead and dying to freeze in the snow. Today the descendants of these brave People are having a rough time coping with the effects of genocide. Roughly 45% of the under 18 crowd on Cherry Creek have turned away from their Lakota heritage and have fallen into the gang, alcohol and drug abuse of the dominate culture. An estimated 90% of the adults living on Cherry Creek are unemployed due in part to the isolation of this community. While on her mission trip last year, Ms. Davis met a woman named June Little Shield who runs a lunch center out of one of the older homes there. Little Shield also lets children use her home as a "safe house" after school and many sleep there at night. This is a good start, but more needs to be done. Here is what Lola and Ms. Little Shield and others have envisioned: A basketball Camp for all ages; Vacation Bible School with an emphasis on Lakota Beliefs and stories; a community cook out featuring a talent show, a sing, traditional dancing, and a movie night. She would also like to see a project that would benefit young mothers. And with the help of the community, perhaps a safe playground could be built for the children. Here is where you come in. These plans require money. She is asking for church's around the country to take up a love offering, hold a bake sale, or whatever to help with the funding for this act of love. If you, as an individual, want to help, feel free to do what you can. For more information contact Lola Davis at Turtleclancr@aol.com  or 816-630-2942. Her address is :Lola Davis, 34443 W. 120th St. Excelsior Springs, Mo. 64024 OR Kevin Ritter ( pastor) First Baptist Church 301 West Berry Hamilton, Mo. 64644. If sending a donation to Pastor Ritter please include a letter letting him know what the donation is for. The Rock Fall Baptist Church of Orrick, Mo. and First Baptist church of Hamilton, Mo. are making plans to go to Cherry Creek, SD. from July 29 thru August. 5th. There is no way we can go back and undo the great Evil that has been done, but we can surely help in the healing.

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