Monthly Archives: July 2014

We have made it safe and sound to Sioux Falls with only minor difficulties (carsick student). The group is exuberant and going with the flow so far. Tomorrow I will give the final tally on what students raised in donations–we are having a guessing game for the students to see who is closest to the correct amount of donated cash and gift cards, and the winner will be notified tomorrow (so I can’t share tonight–the amount is astounding though). Here are a couple of photos–group prior to leaving the college; donations in the back of my van; and a random in van photo. Looking forward to finishing the drive tomorrow to Pine Ridge.

On Wednesday morning, we will be heading to Pine Ridge with 20 students. As always at this time leading up to the trip, I am nervous, excited, worried, and thinking about a million things. This trip will be just a touch different in that I will be making my final capstone presentation for my DNP to the nutrition manager at Head Start AND my capstone professor from Loyola will be there in person. She is interested in experiencing the reservation and culture first hand so she will be a tag along to our activities this week.

We have a great group of students (as we always do!), who are so enthusiastic and have already impressed me so much. We always challenge them to obtain donations, including money, and they have come through in a big way. We have so much to give out during our health promotion efforts–cases of diapers, cases of baby formula, hundreds of pairs of shoes, diabetic supplies, enough toothbrushes and toothpaste for almost the entire reservation (that might be an exaggeration, but it is a lot!), and more! In addition to this, the students have raised over $1700 in a very short time. This will allow us to purchase even more much-needed supplies and make donations when appropriate. I can’t wait to see these hard workers in action on the reservation.

Follow along as we visit and experience all that Pine Ridge and the Lakota have to offer. I will be blogging daily during the trip, as will the students.