Toy, blanket drive will benefit American Indian tribe impacted by wildfires
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

HELPING HAND- Joseph Sanchez stands next to donations during a previous Redbird toy, school supplies and blanket drive. This year's drive on Dec. 1 will be held at the Simi Valley Library.

Redbird, a nonprofit organization based in Simi Valley that promotes awareness of American Indians and their history, is holding a toy, school supplies and blanket drive at the Simi Valley Library's community room from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The organization is gathering new toys, warm blankets, winter clothing and school supplies to donate to families at the Pauma Indian Reservation near San Diego and at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

Redbird has been holding the drive since 1994.

"The toy drive is meant to help people," said Corina Roberts, Redbird founder, "but it's also a fun thing. It's a feel-good sort of thing."

According to Roberts, most of the land on the Pauma Reservation was badly burned by the recent wildfires.

The Paumas lost some homes and businesses but were especially hurt by the substantial loss of open space, where the tribe gets most of its revenue from campers, she said.

Redbird is also seeking to help the Pine Ridge Reservation, one of the poorest places in the United States.

"There's a popular misconception in Southern California that because we have casinos, there are no Native American families in need," Roberts said. "That's not true."

The organization will mostly send supplies for the cold winter, including light but warm throw blankets, gloves and socks. Redbird encourages people to donate lighter winter materials because the organization has to mail all donations, but Roberts said they will not turn down any item.

The toy drive almost failed to materialize after a scheduling conflict. The event was originally planned to be held at the Chumash Interpretive Center, but on Nov. 10 Roberts learned the center was being remodeled. When she discovered an opening at the library a few days later, she jumped on the opportunity.

"It was just serendipity," Roberts said. "It was open; we grabbed it. At that point, we didn't have time to mess around. It cost us $100 to use the room. But it was that or cancel the toy drive, and we just didn't want to do that."

There will also be entertainment at the library.

Tyla Cosentino Simon of the Blackfoot nation, Bobbi and Joseph Sanchez and friends, Elaine Meyers and others will perform dances and entertain with songs, hand drums and other musical instruments.

For more information, visit www.redbirdsvision.org.