Bob and Linda Hartman’s daughter and son-in-law, Aly and Royce Swearingen of Aberdeen are gathering relief items for victims of the flooding in Pine... Hartmans and Swearingens Collecting Items for Flood Victims

Bob and Linda Hartman’s daughter and son-in-law, Aly and Royce Swearingen of Aberdeen are gathering relief items for victims of the flooding in Pine Ridge. Royce is a registered member of the Sisseton tribe.

Linda Hartman is collecting the donations from Milbank at 203 S. 6th Street until noon on Thursday, April 4. She will drive the donations to Aberdeen, and Royce will help deliver them to Pine Ridge. Linda said, “I’m so saddened by the poverty on the reservations and for them to have this added struggle calls for whatever we can do to help.”

The Pine Ridge Reservation, which has a population of about 19,000, has suffered some of the worst devastation in South Dakota. Many residents were reportedly trapped in their homes for nearly two weeks and most have seen their provisions dwindle. Adding to the area’s difficulty, was the loss of access to clean drinking water for over 8,0000 residents. Emergency rations were brought in by the National Guard using ATVs, horses, boats, and helicopter, but supplies are still needed for those who remain homeless and to aid in the clean up.

Items most urgently needed include: blankets, waterproof gloves and boots, buckets, non-perishable food, drinking water, baby food, diapers, formula, paper goods, sleeping bags, pads, and other bedding, dehumidifiers, raincoats and ponchos.

Questions? Call Linda at 605.949.2765.

Submitted Photo: Royce, Aly, Violet, Koltin

Staff Writer

No comments so far.

Be first to leave comment below.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *