Submitted by Sue Aasen
EDIT TO ADD: The Free Store hours/days has been expanded to seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also, we are not taking donations at this time as we have been notified we must be out by May 1st. The TGB is considering other options for us to move to.
For the month of May, the free store will continue to operate at the C2 while they prepare for another move and more permanent home.
The store won't be accepting donations during the month of April because of their planned move. All items in the store are free.
Current specials offered at the free store are each guest will receive a pound of beef and in Mid-March, they will be giving away free quilts. Board member Sue Aasen says they have about 30 quilts to give away.
Included in all the items on the tables are winter clothing such as sweaters, jackets, socks and boots. Also offered are household furnishings and kitchen supplies. There are some limited pieces of furniture. Everything is free. Safety precautions continue to be in effect. Masks and hand sanitizer are available at the first table. The Circle is reminding everyone to practice social distancing of the 6 feet space.
The first free clothing drive started in February 2020 with items being available in the Village of New Post. In addition to the clothing and furnishings, we offered soup, sandwiches and desert. The event truly was a community gathering. People stopped in to visit each other and have a sandwich or desert . The Circle was asked to continue sponsoring this kind of project.
The purpose of the clothing drives is to assist families in our community when jobs and resources are scarce. The Circle membership and supporters realize that during this Covid-19 pandemic crisis, our budgets make it difficult to meet the needs of our families. This project is the most effective way to help each other.
We see many happy faces when families show up to browse and find an item that is useful for their household. Children just love to go shopping at the Trading Post where there is a children's corner complete with clothing and toys in special places to be found. It is nice to see people look for items that are needed by somebody else or for themselves.
The Circle for Indigenous Peoples Rights, Inc. is a community non-profit organization that has existed since 2001. In addition to Edward Benton-Benai, additional founding board members include Marilyn Tribble and Lucille Carley (both ladies have passed on).
The current Board of Directors are: Deb Bracklin-Butler, Dale Cooper, Nancy Cooper, Dave Baker, Kim LaRonge, Corrine Gurneau and Susan Aasen. The Circle is collaborating with other non-pro fit organizations in the Hayward area to maintain donations. Linda Graham, Sawyer County Humane Society Board Member, works tirelessly to keep communications open and support our efforts.
The Circle has been informed that the Trading Post has been sold and a new site for the Circle Community Clothing Room must be obtained. We will be at the Trading Post until December 25, 2020. We are searching for another site in the Lac Courte Oreilles tribal community.
Questions may be directed to Susan Aasen at (715) 699-3787.
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