1 in 6 Native American families lives below the poverty line versus 1 in 15 White families. Poverty can result in particularly dangerous conditions during the summer in the Southwest, where temperatures often exceed 100°F. In achieving our vision of strong, self-sufficient Native American communities, Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) supports reservation-based programs serving vulnerable people in Tribal areas. Through PWNA’s Navajo Relief Fund (NRF) program, Partners can utilize our Summer Emergency Box service to provide families with emergency supplies, nonperishable food, and personal care products to weather the hottest time of the year.  

Our Program Partner, Vanessa P., with the Gila River Public Health Nurse program, utilized NRF’s Summer Emergency Box service to provide relief for homebound Elders in her district on the Gila River Indian Reservation. The supplies provided are crucial for Vanessa’s program to increase engagement and relationship-building with their clients and improve the Elders’ health outcomes. 

One recipient of a Summer Emergency Box was 86-year-old Raymond G. As an Elder of the Akimel O’odham Tribe, Raymond reminisced about growing up in Sacaton: “The boys that lived nearby would gather around and we played baseball.” Living in a small community where most of the people remained throughout their lives, Raymond thought it was bittersweet to watch his friends grow up alongside him. “They all died,” he shared. “I’m the only one left. The new generations that are growing up hardly know me because I’m too old.”  

During his childhood, when resources on the reservation were scarcer, Raymond’s family grew a variety of beans and hunted small game like quail, doves, and rabbits using a slingshot. On the more bountiful days, Raymond’s family hunted for javelina, and he rode in a horse-driven wagon to collect barrels of water in Sacaton. Raymond laughed, “We were just like cowboys.” 

Today, Raymond spends most of his time tending to his garden, where he grows melons, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, corn, and more. He explained, “I don’t lay around; I do something. That’s why I’m still alive.” In addition to staying active, gardening helps save on grocery costs. Raymond’s daughter Sheila explained that since most of the household navigates medical challenges, getting out of the home for shopping and keeping up with expenses can be challenging.  

Having multiple medical issues in a short amount of time hindered Raymond’s physical capabilities and memory. This proved to be a barrier to him delivering sermons at the church he founded. Additionally, his impaired muscle memory prevented him from playing the accordion and violin, a lifelong hobby since he was 17. Raymond and his brother were previously waila musicians, a style of dance music developed by the O’odham tribes of the Sonoran Desert. After recording waila music for several decades, Raymond eventually pivoted to performing gospel music.  

Thanks to the partnership with NRF and the Elderly Center, Raymond received a Summer Emergency Box filled with necessities to help him endure the hottest time of the year. The supplies in the box included nonperishable food, sunscreen, personal care products, and cleaning supplies. Since the members of Raymond’s household receive social security, disability, and monthly commodities, the boxes provide relief in case they run out of funds in the summer.  

Raymond and Sheila are thankful for the donors who helped them save money by providing supplies through the NRF Summer Emergency Box service. Sheila extended heartfelt gratitude to donors, saying, “A lot of Native people, especially the elderly – their own families don’t tend to help them. It gets hard, especially if they’re living alone. These boxes are a big help. To some people, it might not be a lot, but for people who are struggling to get what they need, it really is a lot. Even when we receive the simplest things, it helps. We’re content with anything.” 

Donate to NRF today to help improve the health and safety of Elders like Raymond.