American Indian Youth Running Strong aka Running Strong for American Indian Youth

Although I feel badly writing a negative review, I feel I simply must warn other donors about my experience. I was a recurring monthly donor to Running Strong, but needed to cancel my monthly gift due to family and financial difficulties. I initially contacted Running Strong with a heartfelt and apologetic email, embarrassed and saddened to have to discontinue my donation. I received no response, and they continued to charge my account. Over the course of five months, I emailed Running Strong five times, left two voicemails, and contacted them via social media twice. They continued to charge my credit card, never responding to my emails or voicemails. This is an unconscionable way to treat a donor, and I am now in the position of having to ask my bank to block Running Strong from charging my account. I have never been treated so callously by a nonprofit organization.

I have called the # for running strong for indian youth to have my Mother's name taken off their mailing list because she is deceased . It is painful to keep receiving mail addressed to her. They promise someone will answer, but it is just a recording. You can dial an extension and get a beep like your message is going to be recorded, but there is no greeting so you do not know who your message is going to.I think this is a bogus organization or at least is very poorly run. I do not recommend it to anyone.

I just made a small donation to your great organization. However, please do not send me more than one appeal per year. Also, please do not send me any sort of gift as I cannot use them and hate to toss them. Please send them to future donors and I will continue to support your very worthwhile organization!

My grandparents always supported American Indian Youth Running Strong. Both of them have now passed, I have always donated to this cause when I was able over the years, but since my grandfather passed I now make annual donations in memory of my grandparents every year. When I pass my children will do the same, our family will continue on with this tradition because we strongly believe in the need.

In memory of Harold J. Haley & Myrtle Haley.

Thank you,

Lisa J. McKeen

This was the first year I was able to go on Running Strongs reservation tour. It was fantastic ! I had gone to Slim Butte working on greenhouses in 2001 and was amazed at the amount of work that volunteers and inhabitants were doing. The tour this year was well organized and everything was forseen and handled beautifully, even when the weather didn't cooperate. The highlight for me was actually meeting "The Man", himself, Billy Mills and participating in his Wacipi !

I'm very thankful to have ran for his charity. I will continue to support and donate.

It took quite awhile and several visits to a reservation until I found a nonprofit that I really trust. I've met people who work with Running Strong for American Indian Youth on the reservation and am glad I found a nonprofit that has native people doing the work themselves instead of just outsiders who want to 'save the Indians'. It's great how Billy Mills honors his own legacy by passing on hope, optimism, and encouragement to his own people. A true hero, not only because he ran fast. Whenever I can I'll be happy to share what I can. But this is nothing much compared to Billy's and his wife's presence among his people. A true role model in a time when we really need it.

Over the years, I've felt that Running Strong for American Indian Youth and Billy and Pat Mills have done a great deal for the Indian youth. I feel it is a worthwhile recipient of my donations.

This organization is one of the best we have to offer youth as an inspirational boost. A great deal of this influence is due to the support given by Billy Mills' winner of the first gold medal given to a Native American Indian in 1964.
Some years ago I received a video and wore it out showing it to youth of all ages.
In the video Billy recalled what gave him the impetus to compete and win.
THIS VIDEO SHOULD BE WIDELY SEEN BY OUR YOUTH OF ALL BACKGROUNDS IN THIS YEAR OF OLYNPIC COMPETITION.
In my opinion, the WORLD would greatly benefit from this as well. Send me a CD of this video and I will take it to our local tv stations to show as an example of what former Olympic champions are presently accomplishing with Olympic spirit! God bless and keep you all! Joyce Mena

This program is the only one that I donate to through the Combined Federal Campaign because of Billy Mills, himself. In 1964 I watched the Olympics and was one of millions who saw Billy Mills win a Gold Medal in the 10,000 meter track event and yet hardly anybody knew who he was. Even the announcers were scrambling to figure out who he was and where he came from. I have never fogotten that nor did I ever forget Mr. Mills. Donating to AIYR is my way to honor Mr. Mills achievements not only as an Olympic champion but for all that he has done over the years. He truly has a giving spirit and attitude. AIYR programs insure that American Indian youth are not ignored nor forgotten. AIYR programs build self-confidence and once a person has that they can take on the world - just like Billy Mills did. I also appreciate the AIYR reminder postcard featuring the CFC number. CathieDavids@yahoo.com, Flint, Michigan

I have donated to Running Strong many times over the years. I have taken the tour- visited the Pine Ridge Reservation many times and gotten to know many of the people involved in Running Strong- the good they do can not be measured- they teach as well as help- the HARD work the do year after year is unbelievable
and all is done from the heart- Thank You Running Strong!!

I have a friend who has supported the Running Strong program for some time, but has only recently shared it with me. He is highly supportive of it, and has great things to say about it. He has made me a believer in offering support as well. I am sending a contribution today. As someone with Native American blood (1/16 Cherokee), I am sensitive to the needs and the plight of the American Indian. Though I am happy to say that I have not had to feel the discrimination often associated with the Native American culture, I am not ignorant of it. I applaud those who are willing to make the effort to make a difference. My hope is that the gifts given make a marked difference, in a personal way, to those who receive the benefits of them. I look forward to a long-lasting friendship with this organization.

I have been a supporter of Running Strong for a few years now, and I think that not only is founder Billy Mills an American hero with an inspiring life story, but what he and the Running Strong organization are doing is even more heroic! What better way to help a forgotten portion of our population than to lend aid to the native Indian children in this country! I have also shopped at their "store" for some wonderful handmade gifts for Christmases and birthdays. The organization has always been open and forthcoming with keeping supporters up-to-date on what's happening with their funds. This is one charity that I have absolutely no hesitation in supporting!

We have supported Running Strong for American Youth for nearly 25 years. It is an organization that works WITH the people it serves. It doesn't TELL people what they need, it ASKS them and then Running Strong and the people work together to do what is necessary to meet the need. On one of their Reservation Tours we had the opportunity to visit many of the ongoing projects and the people involved. We came away with an even stronger desire to support their efforts. Their projects are successful and run efficiently. We have never seen an organization do so much with so little. Those who benefit from these projects are most appreciative and do what they can to pass on the good to others. We are so grateful to be able to help support such an excellent organization. We often give extra donations as Christmas gifts.

I was taught as a child to always help others who were in need if I could. I have not missed donating what I can since 1996. Running Strong is the best program of it's kind that I know of. What could be more important than helping these forgotten children of America's First Citizens. This is truly a beautiful and very well ran program. I would urge anyone who can help to check out Running Strong !
Ottie W. Reno

I am a strong supporter of Running Strong for Indian Youth. It is an organization that strives to promote grass roots advancement for those that have not a spokesperson in their lives or who can feel pride in their heritage. I have been a part of this organization as a donor an participant in the Marine Corps Marathon 10K team. It is one of my favorite charities and one that I feel good supporting. I have met Billy Mills and think they have a great spokeman in Billy.

I have been involved with Running Strong for close to 25years. I first became aware of this group because of a letter from Billy Mills and I knew that if he was a part of this organization that it would have
credibility. In 1992 I went on my first Running Strong Tour because I wanted to see what the
Organization really did. I met a small group of very hard working staff who were eager to show what
their mission was about. They work with people, asking what is needed; finding leaders among
the tribes, listening to their ideas and needs. Running Strong supports not dictates solutions.
Programs are evaluated and changed if necessary. The first goal was to help provide water, and then
food. They have been able to broaden their programs and reach people inall areas of the country.
So many good things can be said about all of the people involved with this group. Some that stand
out are dedication, determination to do a good job, wise use of resources and respect for all
people . The annual tour is a way to see for yourself just a small portion of what this group is about.

Judy R

Running Strong seems like it really lives up to its title! It seems to have a really super organized group of people who are there for it and are helping it succeed as a charity to help the impoverished Native Peoples that live on the PIne Ridge Reservation and elsewhere! May its success continue!

I have been a supporter of Running Strong for a number of years, but now I live close to the Pine Ridge Rez so I can see the results first hand. The poverty on the Rez is astouding and as the elders say, unless we help the children the cycle will only continue. Running Strong helps to break the cycle and give hope for the future. The gardens and wells are great ideas as the people prefer to help themselves, allowing them to keep their dignity.

Running with Team Running Strong was a great experience. Billy Mills and all of the support personnel believe in what they're doing and it really seemed to be a lean, fiscally-responsible charity. Billy wanted to personally meet all the runners and happily shared hours of his time with touching & sometimes humorous stories about his life's challenges, his triumphant turn as an American Olympian in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and his charity work benefitting American Indian communities & youth. What he did not do was waste a lot of money on food, entertainment, a fancy office, etc. TRS brings good things to American Indian communities in immediate, concrete ways and has probably helped at least a generation of youth become happy and fulfilled adults. I felt good about where the money I donated was going.

Running Strong is the BEST!!! They do so very much to help and enlighten the Indians of this great country! And ssssoooooo organized. WOW! It's truley unbelievable the many things Running Strong can do for the Youth and for whole families living in and around the rez. The Tour is absolutely fantastic! The Running Strong Staff and the Guides that accompany everyone are spot on with the care they give you, the stories and history they share and always with an open and honest attitude.

Great organization bringing much needed empowerment skills to young people. They keep donors really well informed.

Running Strong is an amazing organization dedicated to helping our most vulnerable and impoverished children. Without the basic sustenance of life, they have no hope to soar in the future. I commend Billy Mills and all his staff and volunteers for the wonderful work they do. A small donation yields large rewards.

I have been blessed to be able to go on a Running Strong Tour and was able to see all the wonderful ministries they do. Everyone I have met that is connected to this nonprofit has been a caring and compasionate person and the different projects truly do help people. It is not a about a hand out, but a hand up.

I have been passionately involved with Running Strong for American Indian Youth since my brother became a TRS member in 2004. I have seen first hand what this organization gives to native communities in need of essential life saving tools. This organization gives back day in and day out to poverish communities by way of drilling water wells for families, building dialysis clinics for areas of communities who are stricken by high diabete rates and poverty, providing food, clothing and school supplies for those in need of it. In addition to all listed, they make time to do a Thanksgiving turkey meal drive and Christmas gift drive to keep the spirit of giving alive. Personally, In the last 3 years that I have raised funds for TRS through the Marine Corps Marathon, the sacrifice I give mind, body and spirit to run 26.2 miles still does not feel like enough effort in helping my fellow natives bridge the gap out of poverty.

I've raised funds and run for Billy Mills' team in the Marine Corps Marathon every year since 2009. Why? Because every single penny goes to help the youth and communities that TRS stands for. This nonprofit is all about helping American Indian Youth, no fringe, no fuss, no putting your money into helping people train or fly out to the races, etc. Plus, Billy Mills really cares about TRS, so much so that he comes every year to support the team and encourage our fundraising, in person! Truly an amazing man and an amazing charity.

For the past few years this is the only organization I donate to through my employer. They do an amazing job of helping people meet just their basic needs. By raising the self esteem of entire populations and helping them to live healthier lives it is a benefit to all. I believe strongly in the work being done by Running Strong and continue to give as much as I can to help them achieve their goals.

I will continue to support Running Strong because I see the results of their work that touches not only my life personally, but the many families and youth it serves to nourish. Running Strong as an organization and the people who guide this organization are role models for me. I am grateful to Running Strong.

I have been giving to this non-profit for the past couple of years or so through the Commonwealth of Virginia's CVC program. Easy to give via payroll deduction to a worthy organization with low overhead. I like knowing that the bulk of my donation ends up in the hands, mouths, or homes of those that benefit the most. Having some knowledge and understanding of the difficulties of those living on reservations, I want my donation to help raise someone up. With the sometimes desperate situations that I have seen, I wish everyone would consider donating. A little can grow into a lot combined - so I hope those that read this will consider donating and helping these kids and families have a fighting chance.

Running Strong For American Indian Youth is a great and effective charity that helps Native Americans. They help with food packages that prevent people from going hungry or starving; they help with water well and gardening projects that provide running water and food for people; they have many other projects including winter clothing and help with fuel bills and most of all they care and that caring provides hope and a future for generations to come. I donate as often as I can to this worthy cause.

Running Strong is truly committed to helping the Native Americans improve their lives all the way around. Without the assistance of an organization like this, many people would have to suffer more, live a more wasted life, and have a bleak future. It is sad to think that Americans have shaped the current existence that is seen on reservations right now; but by helping out Running Strong we can make changes to what the future for these people will be. I have read about these changes over the years that I have supported them; and it has improved their lives.

This charity has an annual tour where donors can visit and see for themselves how their donations are being used on the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservations. You can't help but be impressed!

I am proud to support Running Strong because of the great work they do helping American Indian youth to be healthy both physically and mentally. Such a great charity!

This is such an amazing charity. Through it many, many Native Americans are helped. Education, services, training....all for the youth. Thankfully their true mentor Bily Mills is there to show them the possibilities that can be their futures.

Alway cordial comunications and polite updates on their needs and activites. Much needed for our native youths. Please add to your charity giving too?