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Native American Music Association - N.A.M.A.
The Native American Music Association, N.A.M.A., a non profit 501(c)(3), (Fed Id# 13-4032761) joined in a national effort to provide emergency heating assistance for the Elders, children, the disabled and the sick on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In early November, a severe blizzard throughout South Dakota knocked over 1,000 power lines down, created 20 foot snow drifts, and left residents of Pine Ridge burning their furniture and melting snow as their only source of heat and fresh water. This blizzard arrived early for the Winter Season with predictions of more to come and the brutally cold months from January to March where temperatures go below 0.
Although power has since been restored to almost all areas on Pine Ridge, N.A.M.A. continues to call upon its international membership to make a donation in order to purchase and provide emergency heating assistance determined by the application process of the Link Center Foundation's and local Community Action Program offices (CAP) throughout all nine districts of the reservation. N.A.M.A. also built a task force in South Dakota to assist in filing emergency applications for those most in need of heat and Winter necessities on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The N.A.M.A. task force is also maintaining current "Wish Lists" from local schools, churches and organizations in need of Winter Necessities and contacting local Community Action/CAP District offices to better gauge regionalized needs. Most commonly needed items thoughout the reservation are; Flashlights with batteries, new or gently used blankets, winter boots, coats and bottled water
In the first two days of NAMA's Winter Aid campaign, individual donations reached just over 10% of the current goal of $15,000 and was immediately allocated to directly purchase propane for ten households with elderly, disabled, and the sick currently without any heat. An open line of communication is available with Propane companies in the event they refer an emergency recipient, i.g, , Lakota Plains Propane Co. following another blizzard or severe cold weather. Assistance is provided in the order Emergency heat applications are received or in cases of dire or life-threatening emergencies which then take precedence. Propane is currently running about $2.20 to $2.50 per gallon.The various propane companies are requiring $120-$150 minimum purchase per delivery.
While need is everywhere, and will continue throughout the harsh Winter season, there are no greater needs than those of the Elders, on these reservations. They have the lowest income, the least ability to gain funds, and often suffer from such serious health issues as to be severely impaired by the cold. For the most part, they are the least able to travel to get assistance or to get someplace that might be warm.
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