The Lash LaRue Toy Drive

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The Lash LaRue Toy Drive for Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is back! Since 2003, Omaha rockabilly musician Lash LaRue has organized a toy drive for the children of the Porcupine District of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. According to the 2000 census, Pine Ridge’s Lakota Sioux community is one of the most poverty stricken communities in the United States. The children of the reservation are desperately in need of some sunshine and cheer, especially during a time of cold, harsh winds and immense desolation like winters on the reservation can be. The majority of gifts for the children are collected at benefit concerts put on by Omaha-area musicians. The show dates, times and venues for this year’s shows are listed below. Audience members can either bring in an unwrapped gift or donate $10 at the door. Every dime raised goes toward buying additional gifts and stockings. We cover all administrative fees, the cost of transporting the toys to the reservation and any additional travel expenses. David Swallow, Jr., a Lakota spiritual leader and Medicine Man from the Porcupine District and He Ska Tokala Warrior Society, organizes gift distribution in the middle of December. It is usually hardest to get gifts for the teenagers. This year we would love to see all of the kids walk away with at least two presents and a stocking. Any input you or your organizations and sponsors can give toward getting gift donations for these kids who really need a helping hand would be an amazing favor that we at the toy drive would appreciate for the rest of our lives. And so will the children of Pine Ridge. Currently, The Reader (one of Omaha’s free weekly newspapers), The Blues Society of Omaha, Liquid Courage Tattoo and Mack Truck Leasing have all signed on to assist us in reaching our goal of making the holidays a little happier for those who deserve it most: needy children. If you are interested in helping please contact us as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you! Thanks for all of your help. From our families to yours, we hope your holidays are bright, warm and safe. 2007 shows; Nov 10th @ the Chrome Lounge. Sponsored by Dead Mans Hand Riders Group. Featuring Desperate Bandwives, Down to Here, the Mercurys and more acts TBA. December 8th @ The Waiting Room. Sponsored by Liquid Courage Tattoo. Featuring Vago, The John Henry Band, The Filter Kings, the Mercurys. December 9th @ Barfly. Sponsored by the Blues Society of Omaha. Featuring The Side Effects, the Mercurys and more acts TBA. Addmission to all shows is $10 or 1 new, unwrapped toy.