Wo’iyopastake Ministry [pronounced: WO-ee-yo-PASH-ta-ke] is a ministry to encourage, support, strengthen & help the Lakota pastors and other Christian leaders on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.  This reservation is among the poorest places in the entire USA and many families really struggle to make ends meet.  

Wellspring supports the important work Wo’iyopastake Ministry does throughout the year, but at Christmas time we have a special opportunity to bless the children on the reservation. By putting together a “Shoe Box Christmas Gift,” we can bring joy to boys and girls who would otherwise receive very little at Christmas, while also reminding them that they are loved and valued by people around the country and by their Heavenly Father.

Last Christmas, through your great generosity, we were able to send 166 “Shoebox Christmas Gifts” to these children, who are among the neediest in the whole United States. We’d love to meet or exceed that number this year, but we need your help.

There will be a table in the Cafe on the following Sundays:

November 4th & 11th: We will be handing out the plastic shoeboxes and information.

November 18th & 25th: You can drop off your box at the table before the service on these Sundays, but the sooner the better so we can prepare them for shipping. The very last day we can receive boxes in Sunday November 25th, as they are being shipped to South Dakota the following day in order to arrive in time for Christmas.

How to Prepare the Christmas Shoeboxes

1. Shoebox
Use either the plastic shoebox we give you or any cardboard shoebox (average size). Do not wrap.

2. Gender Neutral 
Make them up so that they will be appropriate for anyone, boy or girl.

3. Age
Determine which age category your gift will be for:

• Toddler-4
• 5-8
• 9-12
• 13-16

Please TAG your gift with the correct age category.

4. Fill With Gifts
Fill the box with a variety of small gifts that will bring delight to a child.

Gift Suggestions

Toys: Include age appropriate, gender neutral, items that children will like, such as stuffed animals, jump ropes, balls, small games, Play-Doh, toys that light up & make noise (with extra batteries), etc.

School Supplies: Pens, pencils & sharpeners, crayons or markers, stamps & ink pad sets, stickers, flash cards, writing pads or paper, calculators, coloring books, picture books, etc.

Hygiene Items: Toothbrush, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, etc.
Accessories: T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), gloves, mittens, warm hats.

Do Not Include: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items or glass containers; aerosol cans; things with owls on them (in Lakota culture, owls are a messenger of bad news).

If you are able, please also drop off $5.00 per box to help us cover the cost of shipping. But this is not required.

Please PRAY for the children who will receive your shoebox gifts.

THANK YOU very much! This will be such a blessing to many children on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Alternative ways to give:

We are also gratefully accepting monetary donations to go toward purchases PROPANE FOR HEAT for pastors’ families on the reservation.
CHECKS can be mailed to:

Wo’iyopastake Ministry
107 Millstone Circle
Clinton, TN 37716

ONLINE DONATIONS can be made securely on our web site: www.wo-iyopastake.com

Wo’iyopastake Ministry is a 501c3 non-profit organization. We can give you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.

For more info, contact Dan & Bonnie Licata 203-228-1605 or email: wo.iyopastake@gmail.com