From My Heart to Yours...written about 5 years ago...    

      Suffering is a common denominator among the Lakota Indians living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. With a average income of less then $2,600 a year, life is a eating, drinking, breathing survival mode of existence where reality is measured not by what one has...but by what one does NOT have. Food, housing, and jobs...are either not available (85% unemployment) to the degree needed or not at all.

       I am asking for you to do what you are able within the capacity you have to do so...with and from your heart...to a people who need to experience LOVE from those who profess with their lips that they are "Americans" and "believers in Jesus'" but whose actions or the lack thereof speak and show otherwise to those who have experienced everything but the Love of God upon which this country was founded on and blessed by.

      The choice is ours and it far outweighs that which we think is important in the present moment in choosing not to respond in love and in deed to those who know not what the love of God is about.

      Remember that "Indian Country" conditions are a 'out of sight out of mind" phenomenon not by accident...but by design. Operation Morning Star brings to light those realities that otherwise would not be seen or known so that you can have both the opportunity and blessing to respond.

     From my heart, I ask you, your business, your church, your synagogue, your private organizations, to rally to this call as if it was a matter of life and death for the Lakota People...because in all truth...it is. Food, furniture, appliances, are desperately needed on a ongoing basis. You can adopt a Lakota family by sending monies to the grocery store or utility in their name or help start a housing project.

      OMS is a non-profit organization whose service to Lakota Nations is solely dependant upon your generosity and your prayerful support.  As we stay the course of commitment to our native brothers and sisters, we do incur operational expenses that can only be met by monetary donations as well.   Maintenance cost on trucks; fuel costs incurred making the runs to Indian Country etc. 

     Again, thank you each so very much for all your gifts, prayers and support of the Lakota peoples. May God bless you as you pray and give.

          Thank you...from My Heart...To Yours.

 Sincerely and Gratefully Yours, 

Richard Boyden,

 Founder of Operation  Morning Star