Many Native families find themselves in constant distress, facing issues from food shortages and subpar housing to limited health care and transportation access. This makes it difficult for families on the reservation to get in the holiday spirit as many still struggle to afford necessities. Native American Aid (NAA), a program of Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA), helps share the joy of the holidays through its Elder Gift Bag service.

Thousands of stockings filled with holiday gifts and household essentials are sent to Program Partners like Edwina, who runs the Crow Senior Center in Crow Agency, Montana. Edwina said everyone enjoyed the gift bags and needed those items in their homes. She explained, “A lot of the Elders are raising grandkids, and shopping locally is expensive, so they’re excited to get these products.”

One beneficiary was Crow Elder Deana, age 81. Deana was born and raised in town and fondly remembers her childhood and the friends she’s made. She’s still a sociable person, working part-time for the Tribe as a greeter at the senior center. She noted, “I know everybody, and I like working here.”

Deana opened her NAA stocking to find it filled with emergency items and hygiene products like new socks, cleaning wipes, and face masks. She told us, “I’ll use everything in the stocking, especially the flashlight. I’m going to keep it right by my bed!”

Deana uses her social security check to help support her family, and she estimated that the stocking items would cost $50 locally. Receiving these essential items saves money for gas and bills for her household of eight, including her six grandchildren.

One of Deana’s biggest concerns is her health, which started to weaken last year. For treatment, Deana travels three times a week to Billings, Montana, and she described it as “the only way to stay alive. At first, it was hard on me, but now I’m used to it.”

Roughly 60 miles away from home, Billings is the only place where Deana can go for medical treatment, groceries, and anything else she needs. She noted that it’s tough to pay for gas going back and forth.

PWNA provides relief to Elders during the holiday season through the NAA Elder Gift Bag service. Spread the warmth and joy of the holidays to Elders like Deana by donating to NAA today.