When Catherine Jordan from the Bush Foundation reached out to me to see what we could do for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, I was appalled.  Appalled with myself that I had not heard a word about a terrible natural disaster that had ravaged an already vulnerable community less than 500 miles away from home.  While it is no longer a life and death situation, thousands of people still do not have heat or drinkable water over three weeks after the ice storm hit their reservation.  The continued bitter cold weather has made recovery a slow process.  This is an enormous blow to an already struggling people - 80 percent of those who live on the reservation are unemployed. 

Tribal Chairman Joseph Brings Plenty said, “I know there are hard economic times across the country and those who are able continue to respond with prayers, money and muscle to help our neighbors in Haiti.  I find myself in the humble position of appealing for your support in our time of emergency.  I would not ask you for assistance unless I was confident we are doing all we can.  We are.” 

The ice storm which hit just nine days after the earthquake in Haiti had not had much media coverage - until yesterday when Keith Olberman ran a story on Countdown on MSNBC (insert link or video).  How much does media influence charitable giving?  The South Dakota Community Foundation raised over $160,000 overnight to help with relief efforts.  This exhausted the generous matching funds from the Bush Foundation and the Northwest Area Foundation who matched donations dollar for dollar up to $35,000. 

Thank you Keith Olberman for being as appalled as I was to hear that our neighbors in South Dakota still need shoes.  And propane.  And water.  Today in America.

Inspired to give?  You can still double your dollars (up to $35,000) by making a gift to Native Americans in Philanthropy on GiveMN.