Page 3 - January 2012

Operation Natives Helping Neighbors By Fred Shortman, Editor The feeling was indescribable Smith, Bones, Dolly and Joan. Department and Attorneys, What a unique opportunity to made their Christmas one to Here is a list of those who Family Services, Education, Ray help our neighbors who are remember. Santa’s helpers did an adopted their own families: Secena’s crew (facilities-took 2) struggling with the economy. outstanding job! Sharon Hall, Chris Ortivez, Anna and the Clinic took 2 families. This is the second year of the Hartman, Frances Pickernell, Delivery Crew: Tom Hayden, Chehalis Tribe’s Operation Thank you to all the Santa’s Chris and Pam Klatush, Bev and Tony Olney, Josh Terry, Penny Natives Helping Neighbors. elves in action Amil Starr, Jenee and Dan Penn, Gleason. It was kicked into high gear Brandon Canales, Lydia Fromm, with more volunteers this year Natives helping Natives Ena Myers, and Ralph Wyman A huge thank you goes to to make it a huge success. committee: Joyce Thomas, Carla everyone here at the Chehalis Committee members gathered to Thomas, Alicia Canales, Bev Departments that adopted Tribe for making a special discuss ideas and brainstorm on Starr, Lydia Fromm, Charlotte families are: Department of Christmas. Their unselfshness how to make a special Christmas Lopez, Jenee Penn, Correna from the list of families they Young, Chris Ortivez, Jaimie Natural Resources, Accounting, truly is a gift within itself! Give received from the Rochester Business Committee, Planning them a huge KUDOS! Roof Program and Oakville. There were a total of 26 needy families adopted. Each family was given gifts for their families. The families were sponsored by department and individuals. Gifts were pruchased based on age and gender of the family members. 20 families were out of Rochester and six from Oakville. Individuals and tribal programs coordinated their efforts to make this a special Christmas for everyone involved. The contributions from the Lucky Eagle Casino, Great Wolf Lodge and our Tribe total cash donations of about $5,000.00. That doesn’t include the money individuals purchased for this worthwhile cause. There was plenty of Christmas spirit to be shared as they shopped, wrapped and delivered these presents. Our crew of elves gathered the gifts that were wrapped with care and delivered to each designated area. It was awesome as the fnal A thank you card from all the families to everyone who was involved with Operation stages came together and the Native Helping Neighbors. For many it brought tears of joy to their eyes receiving so families received their presents. many thoughtful gifts making it a Christmas to remember. chehalistribe.org  greatwolfodge.com  luckyeagle.com  eagleslandinghotel.net Page 3