Akwesasne Holiday Helpers Annual Report

(April 18, 2017) As promised, we are fully reporting to the community on the Akwesasne Holiday Helpers activities and funds. We apologize for the delay; we have further requirements on financial reporting per our 501c3 Non Profit Corporation status.

Although the donations were down in our second year, we had a successful holiday season helping our community. We did everything possible to stretch the dollars to ensure that all who came forward received a food basket and a gift for their child or children or to the senior living in the home. It was no doubt a team effort from the committee, the volunteers and the donors. Without everyone pulling together, this event would not happen.

We would like to start by thanking our major donors: Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department, Akwesasne Convenience Store Association, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Tarbell Management Group, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Community Partnership, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the MCA Employee Donation Committee, Akwesasne Area Management Board, Swamp's Performance and last but not least, CKON FM and the Communication Society. Without all your major donations, we would not have been able to purchase the food and gifts as we did.

Niawenko:wa to all our donors, we appreciate and need every penny:

Akwesasne TV, Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department – Kawehnoke, Saint Kateri Hall, Speedway Convenience, Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club, CKON FM Radio Station, St. Regis Catholic Mission Church Mice/Fundraising Committee, MCA Christmas Basket Committee, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1479, SRMT Tribal Police, J & J Brokers, Akwesasne Mini Mart, American Legion Post 1479, Indian Time, Akwesasne Housing Authority, Rez Phones, Akwesasne Detachment #566 Marine Corp., CAA Management, Native Trading Associates – Susan Jesmer, Swamp's Performance, Tarbell Management Group, Big E Catering Services, Mohawk International Raceway, Scott McDonald, Hill Top – Bouncy House, K & H Sports, Allan Chico Arquette, Tina's Pride Fundraising Committee, Dunkin Donuts, Creeations Hair Salon – Lauren Cree & Tanisha Thompson, Hogansburg Methodist Church, Rocket Ronnie's, Koi Express – Karen & Jake Adams, Marshall & Janine Rourke, Caddy Distributions, Louie Jackson – Action Auto Parts, Donald Thompson, Akwesasne Attack Lacrosse, Toby Mitchell, Morris Oakes, Chum Jacobs, Arena, Ralph Cree, Felicia & Hubert Jock, Candy Thomas, Janice Brown, Brenda Lafrance, Tommy & Lila Lazore, Shannon Keel, Larry White, Anonymous donors (7).

Niawen ko:wa to all who donated toys, food and gift donations:

Julia Thompson, Sheila Marshall, Crystal Adams, Minerva White, Shannon Keel, Carrie Jacobs, Akwesasne Mini Mart, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe staff, Darlene Jacobs, Diane Boots, Cook's Greenery, Irene Cook, Family Support clients, Barbara Montour, Nia Kononnwa:a, Vicki Herne, Bobby & Anna Delormier, Lorraine White, John Herne, Jerry Cook, Melody Ransom, Irving Papineau, Beatrice White, Darryl Ransom, Dianna Tarbell, Betty David, Currency Exchange, Donnie Sharrow, Kanatakon School, Ashley Tarbell, Catherine Brethour, Swamp's Performance, Melissa Conners Chamberlain, Felicia Jacobs, Emily Lauzon, AMBE Transportation, Tom Messner, Mohawk Indian Housing, Holly Hart, Bernie Herne, Carol Phillips, Chanel Cook, Hazel Bero, Janique Odjick, Grace Chubb, Tavian Simmons, Mel Conners, Saint Regis Mohawk Justice Program, Margaret Thomas-Jock, Doreen Mitchell, Saint Kateri Circle of St. Regis Mission.

Niawen ko:wa for all your donations. With everyone's generosity we were able to assist a total of 3,709 community members. This translates to 1,330 households. You are all amazing!

Below is the basket breakdown:

Applicant Age: 1 to 16 Year Old. Total-1400

Applicant Age: 17 to 59 Years Old. Total-1590

Applicant Age: 60+. Total-421

Applicant Age: Unknown Age. Total-298

Total Community Members Assisted - 3709

Baskets Provided

Kawehno:ke Boxes - 207

Eastern Akwesasne (includes Tsi Snaihne) Boxes - 465

Western Akwesasne (includes Kana:takon) boxes - 472

Unknown Address - 25

Elders Baskets - 161

Total Applications – 1330

We had many individual volunteers during our Akwesasne Holiday Helper fundraising events and basket distribution. Niawen for donating your time, we could not have done it without all of you:

Aayliah White, Aidan Smiddy, Andrew Ward, Angie Green, Atonwa Day, Bailey Johnson, Bob Reardon, Brian White, Brianne Lazore, Bronson Delormier, Carl Chubb, Cecilia Lafrance, Charles Laughing, Chris Herne, CJ Atkins, Clara Burk, Corbin Swamp, Cory White, Crystal Stehlin, Dana L. Cook, Daniel Warrior, Dexter, Dori Adel, Florencio Verdugo, Alexis Ward Parker, Dom, Zachary Williams, Alfred Jackson, Sesi Francis, Brenda Hathaway, Peggy David, Wendy Thompson, Fran Jacobs, Morgan Phelix, Tina Benedict, Crymson Aldrich, Alexis Seymour, Nelson Leaf, Leland Herne, Kakwireiosta Hall, Terri Lee Ransom, Kelsea Bresnan, Ann Marie Cross-Laughing and son, St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police, Cody Smoke, Vance, Merlin Francis, Eddie Thompson, Isaac Benedict, Janet Terrance, Jessica Atkins, Joanna Jackson, Johnny Jacobs, Jolene Garrow, Kamic Hall, Kerri Seymour, Kevin Montour, Kreedence Lazore, Kyra Cree, Laurie Boots, Lelan Clute, Lori Tarbell, Margaret Thompson, Melissa Johnson, Millie Cook, Nakia Thomas, Pat Phillips, Patricia Thomas, Peter Bigtree, Poncho Ramirez, Pray Lazore, Rich Bero, Robert Garrow, Roger Caldwell, Sarah Cook, Serena Angus, Teresa Pryce, Theresa Martin, Tootsie Boots, Trent McDonald, Trinity Johnson, Troy Lazore, Will Hornbuckle, Zach Jock, Janice Brown, Karahkwenhawe White, Julie Ladue, Mr. Williams, Libbie Tarbell, Kaniehtine Lafrance, Debbie Martin, Tommy Francis, Lauren Francis, Danny David, Jensen Jacobs, Sylvie Point, Brycelan Sunday, Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department Station 3, Bonnie McDonald, Chris Cook, Crystal Mitchell, Carrie Jacobs, Jasmyne Lazore, Pete Terrance, Korey Prue, Jim McDonald, Ron LaFrance, Akwesasne Wolves Novice B, Hodgie Jacobs, Shelley Jacobs, Toby Thompson, Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department Station 1, Akwesasne Mohawk Police, Jenny DeJung, Lexi Lazore, Genna Terrance, Brittany Cole, Bobbi Jo Cook, Taylor Mitchell and Brian White.

And to the Partridge House volunteers, Niawen for all you did. Your assistance with putting all the boxes together helped immensely and made things run smooth.

If we missed anybody, it was not intentional; we fully appreciate all who helped and donated. Your donations, gifts and volunteerism are so important to the community.

Last but not least, the Akwesasne Holiday Helpers would like to thank our families. Niawen ko:wa for supporting us as we took on this enormous task. You assisting us and your patience as we lent a helping hand to our fellow community members is remarkable. Kaneronkwa tanon Niawen ko:wa

In closing, it was a true pleasure to work with everyone for the common goal of lending a hand to our fellow community members. We look forward to next year.

Niawen ko:wa,

Lori Thompson, Julia Back, Gloria Herne, Ron Lafrance, PJ Herne, Everett Lazore, Sandy Delormier-Lazore, Caroline Peters, Agatha Thompson, Dave Mainville, Sandy Rourke, Matt Rourke, Starr Thomas, Kerry Jacobs, April Lauzon, Jill Benedict, and Clarissa Terrance-Chatland.