Has Your Tribe Made Your WeBuildPeople Pledge?

As Nation Chief, I'm asking that each tribe pledge their yearly wampum at Fall Outing to the YMCA's WeBuildPeople program, which helps send kids to summer camp who would otherwise not be able to afford the opportunity. This year, it will cost $150 to send a child to camp.

At Fall Outing, your tribe can make your WeBuildPeople Wampum pledge. When you do, each member of the tribe will receive a cool new WeBuildPeople patch. Don't worry about collecting money now. The chief will be billed in Spring 2008.

But wait! There's more! Those tribes that raise $500 or more are eligible to enter a prize drawing for some amazing gifts, including a free Spring Outing for the entire tribe, free Winter Inning tickets for the entire tribe and the ability to choose your cabin at Spring Outing.

For every $100 donated over the $500 level, your tribe will get an additional entry in the drawings. For example, if your tribe donates $700, your tribe's name will get 3 entries!

Can your tribe easily raise $500? Absolutely! For a 10-dad tribe and 15 tribe meetings remaining, dads would simply have to add $3.00 to wampum bag (in addition to earned wampum) at each tribe meeting (twice monthly). This would raise $450. Add in the earned wampum and you'll certainly hit $500.

The WeBuildPeople campaign supports the entire experience at the YMCA and targets the most pressing needs -- scholarship, outreach, youth development and more. 100% of the dollars are used for these needs; no dollars are spent on administrative services or fees. Every gift, regardless of size makes a difference!

In 2006, the Central YMCA (now the Alexander YMCA) raised over $625,000 and used these funds to assist about 775 children and families in the YMCA's youth and membership programs (i.e. afterschool care, summer day camp, tutorial programs, Y-Guides, etc). It also supported the YMCA's subsidized outreach programs for children living in low-income housing communities.

The Y-Guides & Princess program has been asked to raise $25,000 in 2007. We can do better!

If your tribe hasn't discussed WeBuildPeople, discuss it at your next tribe meeting. Push your tribe to make a difference in the lives of kids in the community.

I ask for Big Braves to try to also make a personal donation. Many of you have been contacted by a Longbow Council member about making a donation. If not, you can call Matt "Moose" Strickland at (919) 582-2266. He can take your pledge over the phone. Donations over $100 can be broken into installments beginning in 2008. Also don't forget that some local employers will match your donation! Contact your HR department to find out!

Want to hear and see how the WeBuildPeople program is changing the lives of people in our community? Watch this great video!