About 1,000 Coats Headed To S.D. Reservation

LAKE PLACID - A local winter coat drive to warm the residents of a Lakota Sioux reservation at Wounded Knee, S.D., exceeded the expectations of organizer Betty Luckey and her family.

Luckey dreamed of collecting 500 coats. Thanks to overwhelming response, she will be able to present almost 1,000 coats to 500 residents - and just in time for Christmas.

The residents are unable to afford winter coats and often bundle up with blankets and wear several shirts.

Coats donated include five fur coats, several coats manufactured by London Fog and many made from cashmere and camel hair.

"There were beautiful coats hanging in closets - some never worn, with the tags still on them - and many were used very little," said Betty Luckey. "Several people bought new coats - especially for the children."

Betty Luckey, her four grandchildren and her two daughters are packing for an early departure today, with a trailer in tow, to arrive in time to give out coats Sunday evening.

"Santa Claus has been really, really busy - a job well done," said Betty Luckey. "The people of
Highlands County really responded. I'm going to have the happiest Christmas of anybody on the planet."

Sheri Bjorn said her mother planned for years to help the Indians after a stint as a Bible school teacher at the reservation and is excited to travel in one of vehicles towing trailers headed to South Dakota.

"When she started to get the word out, she didn't know if anybody would respond," said Sheri Bjorn, "and now we don't have room for anything else. It's all going to go, we just don't know yet how.

"I think it will all work out. Everything has so far."

Three trucks containing coats and supplies, towing horse trailers or U-Haul type trailers, were stranded by severe weather Monday night in Nebraska, but were able to reach the reservation on Tuesday.

A separate trailer is headed north, packed full with toys. One hundred fifty children will each receive a new toy and a second used toy which appears almost new.

The Faith Lutheran Church, of Sebring, donated dozens of winter coats which were slow sellers in the church's thrift shop.

Pastor Stanley Hollow-Horn of the Wounded Knee Church of God will help with distribution at the uncompleted church and local community center.

Electrical heaters were also purchased at Wal-Mart to heat a room in each of the reservation's homes.

"So badly they need heaters," said Luckey. "Many homes are without heat because the propane gas gives out."

Luckey wants to also present all 500 residents an orange or other piece of Highlands County citrus.

"I want to do it every year," said Luckey, about the trip to South Dakota. "I hope my children continue it."