Lyle and Ed,
Thanks for keeping me in the email chain and sorry I have not been able to be effective in leveraging St. Mary's University to become involved in your efforts. I fully believe there is a role for them, but also believe that their reality is fully engaged with the economics of the University.
But, I want to mostly thank both of you for the work you are doing. I know it is generally thank-less, with little financial reward. However, you are doing the work of true Christians in a way I see few others doing. In these days of social decay and repeated tragedies involving the deaths or abuse of our children, you guys are one of the few lights in a dark sky. You are engaged in a Christian mission to use your talent to help others, at your own expense. You challenge me to think of how I might be a better servant.
I just want to say thank you and God bless you both.
Barry Drazkowski
Director, GeoSpatial Services
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
360 Vila St.
Winona, MN 55987
ph 507.457.6925
fax 507.457.6604
email bdrazkow@smnumn.edu
Dear Lyle & Diversity Foundation;
I am writing this letter on behalf of the people of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. We want to say THANK YOU ALL, for your genourosity and compassion shown to our people by your Minnesota communities. Thank you is not enough for everything that your people have done for us here in South Dakota. It is good to know that there are people out there that still care and we are not forgotten. The daily struggles that we go through here on the reservation to keep our families feed, clothed, the lights on, even simple things mean alot to us, the help that has come to us from you is unbeliveable, we cannot express how grateful we are. Once again THANK YOU ALL.
P.S. There are alot of people here that want to come to next years gathering and homecoming, so we hope to meet you all someday to thank you in person.
PRAYERS & HOPE TO ALL
Lisa Lengkeek
Crow Creek & Diversity Foundation Distribution Coordinator
Fort Thompson, South Dakota
To Diversity Foundation and City of Winona,
On behalf of the people of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and the Big Eagle family, I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for the dedication and time spent organizing the various drives for donations to the people on our reservation.
Please know that every item was very much appreciated, distributed and given to the people who needed it most, particularly the elderly, children and the families who were most needy. Your generosity has benefited many people and although there is so much more need, this was a start which fulfilled the most basic needs.
However, as the winter season approaches there is a need for winter outerwear and blankets for families who cannot afford these basic essentials. Any donations to this cause would be humbly appreciated.
Please accept our deepest gratitude and this letter of thanks to Diversity and all those Communities in southern Minnesota who were involved in this effort to alleviate the burden of those who cannot afford these simple, basic needs.
Pilamaya,
Duane and Diane Big Eagle
on behalf of the Big Eagle family
and the people of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
Fort Thompson, South Dakota
