The COVID pandemic had a devastating effect on poorer populations around the world. The virus has killed thousands and left many without essential services or income. In this blog post, I will take a closer look at what the pandemic did to the Navajo Nation and how we can help them recover.
The Navajo Nation occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah; at roughly 17,544,500 acres (71,000 km2; 27,413 sq mi), the Navajo Nation is the largest land area held by a Native American tribe in the U.S.
Navajo Nation – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_Nation
In 2020, COVID took a toll on the people of the Navajo Nation and particularly the elders. The resulting deaths were extremely high compared to the rest of the USA. Navajo people were already struggling with high levels of poverty and unemployment, and the pandemic worsened these problems.
I wanted to help. So I sponsored Lena, a Navajo Elder, through Adopt-A-Native-Elder (https://www.anelder.org/).
Navajo elders are revered and the keepers of the traditional ways and hold the key to preserving the Navajo culture and history. My Navajo elder, Lena, is a traditional Navajo and does not speak English. She is struggling with extreme poverty, and I am trying to provide food, clothing, and medical care. Lena is very proud, and I don’t want to humiliate or anger her in my desire to help. So it makes me happy if she laughs at something I say or do. Lena and I communicate through her daughter. I’ve sent pictures of the bears, other wildlife, and Teddy. I sent Lena a pink jacket which she loved. So here I am trying to help, but who is receiving the emotional treasures — me!
A Navajo proverb says, “respect the elders, and you will be blessed.” I am!
Adopt-A-Native-Elder is the third noble charity that I actively support. This charity is also dear to my heart because of my mother.
Adopt-A-Native-Elder
Mission Statement
“Adopt-A-Native-Elder serves to help reduce extreme poverty and hardship facing traditional Elders living on the Navajo Reservation. We are a trusted humanitarian organization focused on delivering food, medical supplies, firewood, and other forms of Elder support. Respecting the tradition and dignity of Navajo Elders, we create relationships to honor and serve the Elders.
We have served thousands of traditional Navajo Elders since the 1990s by giving as a gift of love… not a handout. Today, our efforts touch the lives of over 800 Elders.
What we do for the Elders is based on the principle of the Native American Giveaway. We give our best and give it freely with no expectation of return.
The Elders feel gratitude for these gifts, often expressing it through their shy smiles. Some give small gifts such as necklaces in return. Unfortunately, many are too poor to be able to make such a gift. Their gift is to touch our hands and hearts and offer their prayers. That is enough.”
Anelder – About Us. https://www.anelder.org/About-Us
This video, A lifeline for Native Americans struggling to survive, was shown on CNNHeroes in 2017.
Adopt-A-Native-Elder is my third noble charity.
If you would like to donate Adopt-A-Native-Elder, here is information directly from their website:
https://www.anelder.org/Foundation-and-Corporate-Giving
Making gifts to our Programs can be done in several ways. You can use the convenient shopping cart method on this website by visiting the donate now page (an additional donation of 3% is added to cover credit card processing costs). You may also call our office at 801-474-0535 to make your donation by credit card over the phone. If you prefer to mail a donation check our address is:
Adopt-A-Native-Elder
328 W Gregson Ave.
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
The Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program is a non-profit 501(c) corporation, and as such, all donations are tax deductible. The Program’s tax ID number is 87-0490211.
The Program’s donor list is never sold or made available to anyone else.
CHARITY NAVIGATOR RATING
Charity Navigator is a charity assessment organization that evaluates hundreds of thousands of charitable organizations in the United States. A.N.E. is proud once again to have achieved a four-star Charity Navigator score. The score is calculated from two sub-scores. Adopt-A-Native-Elder earned a 96.35 score in Finance and 96.00 in Accountability and Transparency, for an overall 96.17 out of 100.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the number of charities that are out there and need your support? I certainly did, and that is why I selected these three.
- The Walk to END Alzheimer’s
- The Children of Grace
- Adopt-A-Native-Elder
I have a personal connection with each charity. We all want to help others, but sometimes it is hard to know how to make a difference. So my advice is to support what is close to your heart.
Thank you for listening.