Monday, Aug 29 2011 2:19PM
Many tribes, such as the ones which received donations from "Hearts of Thunder," live without modern water or wastewater systems.
Texas native Lori Pavicic has spent the last four years helping Native American families in the southwest get household appliances and furnishings through her "Hearts of Thunder" program, and will continue her work with the charity this year, the Deseret News reports.
According to the paper, Pavicic founded the program a few years ago after realizing a tribe was living without many modern conveniences, such as running water and furniture.
"On family trips, we'd drive through reservations in Oklahoma and I was keenly aware that their lives were so much harder than mine," Pavicic told the newspaper. "It touched my heart and I just knew that someday I needed to help them."
After contacting local volunteers, Pavicic was able to get many people to donate items such as dining room table sets and mattresses for Native American families in the region, including tribes in Oklahoma and Arizona. The charity also provided water and ice chests to some families without running water.
Steven Moore, senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, recently stated 13 to 15 percent of Native Americans lack access to safe drinking water and adequate wastewater systems.