OPERATION: STOVE READY FOR THE HOPI PEOPLE

My name is Charlie Lewis, I am from the village of Shungopavi and belong to the Cloud/Water clan. I, and my mother, Carol James, are the founders of a family grassroots organization called Pikunivi Wood Haulers. Our mission is to ensure that families and elders in need, in our Hopi villages and communities are able to keep their homes warm and, therefore, safe this winter season. Please check out this video to learn more as well! FB Link https://www.facebook.com/Pikunivi-Wood-Haulers-106779485507321/

Please join us in this mission to provide Hopi families with "stove ready" wood. In the past, generations of Hopi families used coal to heat their homes which was free and readily available at the Peabody Coal Mine site. However, since the closure of the mine in 2019, families have had to quickly adjust from coal to burning wood to heat their homes. Wood has now become a necessary yet expensive resource.

Gathering and hauling wood requires that families have able-bodied individuals to cut, chop and lift large quantities of wood, have access to a truck and chainsaw(s), and have the financial resources to purchase gas for both a truck and chainsaw(s). The price of gas has made it even more challenging for financially stressed families to haul from wooded areas that are more than 100 miles away.

Due to these challenges, we, Pikunivi Wood Haulers, have taken the responsibility to provide families in need with "stove ready" wood to keep their homes warm. Last year, our grassroots family organization with the assistance of Chizh for Cheii and Red Feather was able to provide 183 loads of wood to families. This year Black Mesa Trust, an environmental non-profit, is supporting our efforts.

Despite our limited financial resources this year, we continue to gather wood for our Hopi community. Your donation will support us with the financial resources to continue to haul more wood for our families.