Rotary Club of Westlake Village Supports Redbird

Conceived, formed and founded in Simi Valley, Redbird has served two communities since its inception in the 1990s...Southern California, and South Dakota.

Places as different as night and day on every level.

On December 7, Redbird will host its 24th annual Blanket, Toy and School Supplies Drive and Mini Powwow at the Simi Valley Town Center Mall, behind the giant Christmas tree in the community room. There will be Native American singing, dancing, storytelling, native vendors, food, flute music, acupuncture, massage, a flint knapping demonstration, volunteers from Bank of America assisting with donations, and several other non profit groups in attendance.

There will likely be three well known powwow drums - Blue Star, Standing Brave and Red Horse - drums well known both in southern California, and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as well.

Everyone is welcome to attend. New, lightweight, washable blankets and soft (stuffed) toys are gathered together by Redbird and shipped to the White Plume family in South Dakota, who distributes these times among needy families in remote regions of the reservation. Hard and boxed toys and school supplies are taken by Walking Shield, who serves a network of reservations.

Gently used blankets are distributed to local families; like-new cold weather clothing, such as ski outfits and winter jackets in all sizes, are shipped to South Dakota.

Gathering all these items is one part of the process, but then they must be shipped. Shipping costs are roughly $800.00 each year for the portion that Redbird sends to South Dakota.

The Rotary Club of Westlake Village donation will be used to help defray those costs, and/or to purchase blankets.

You can learn more about this effort at Redbird's website, www.RedbirdsVision.org, or their event on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/event...