Certificate of APPRECIATION 

                                The Comanche Nation of Oklahoma and

                                            Chairman Johnny Wauqu

                                   John Madden on behalf of 4Directions    

     

Mission Statement: To help improve the life and well being of people and families by collecting, and distributing new and lightly used clothes, toys, books, house hold items and equipment on an annual basis.

In 2012 we have developed a great relationship with Maxine Thompson, the Title XI Part C - Director of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Left to right:

Carolene Poole, Maxine Thompson, Judy Madden

(Carolene and Judy are part of 4Directions)

We first went to Ponca City December 11, 2011 and serviced over thirty tribes and hundreds of people. Since then she has created a "Clothes Closet" for anyone from any tribe, to come and get clothes. We have been able to deliver clothes to the clothes closet three times this year: February 4 th, April 2 nd, and May 7th.

We are currently preparing to take our fourth load to them in the next couple of weeks,

It's the most fulfilling, rewarding, and enjoyable experience. We've met so many wonderful people and their thanks and smiles have filled our hearts with so much joy.

There's nothing like a family being able to get clothes for every member, for now, six months, and a year. Seeing a little girls fall in love with a small, fake Christmas tree and taking it home.

How can you not see and feel her happiness?

Children getting to pick some of the toys we're able to bring. Helping an elder finding shoes his size. Parents being able to find clothes for their babies and other children. Elder women finding clothes they can use and things for their grandchildren.

We're fortunate to have some items that are very unique, so we give everyone a raffle ticket when the come in. As the day progresses we draw tickets for specific items that they get. It's so much fun as people get to pick up those items.

For several years we've been able to have a drawing, for veterans, for a quilt honoring the military. That's one of our favorite things. So many veterans never received "thanks" and "honor" for their service. That's what our quilt give-a-way represents.

Kenneth Kemble, Vietnam Vet 68-69 with the 1st Cavalry

Received the Purple Heart

In the six years, since we started our goal of helping as over forty tribes, including but not limited to: (Lakota, Navajo, Comanche, Apache, Pawnee, Creek, Seminole, Northern Ponca, Ponca, Kiowa, Musquekee, Kickapoo, Kaw, Omaha, Otoe-Missouri, Cherokee, Sac, Chickasaw, Sac n Fox. and Tonkawa) and over 4,000 people.

Where have we gone?

2007: Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota;
2008: Comanche tribe at Cache, Oklahoma
2009: Mescalero tribe at Mescalero, New Mexico
2010: Navajo tribe at Encino, New Mexico
2011: Comanche tribe at Lawton, Oklahoma
        : Ponca tribe at Ponca City, Oklahoma
        : 1 more trip planned in the next
2012: 3 trips to the "Clothes Closet" at the Ponca Tribe in Ponca City, Oklahoma
        : A tribe to be determined around the first or second weekend of December for Christmas
2013: Tribe or tribes to be determined


We're in the process of applying for and becoming a 501(3)(c) charitable charity, so we can expand our out reach and expand our goal of helping the needs of Native American families and communities.

We have been able to find and bring books for children, youth and everyone else. 

One of the many specials items, we've gotten at different times is COATS for children, women and men.

We hope to walk, help, meet, visit, and cross paths with many other tribes and tribal members.