Navajo Veterans Organization received a grant of $4,999.00 from the Arizona Department of Veterans Services. Initially, Valerie had planned to purchase blankets, pillows, socks, thermal wear, and beanies, in her grant request. However, after reassessing the needs of the people, she discovered that their primary necessity was firewood. As a result, she purchased nine loads of firewood.
Since Friday, Valerie Allen, the Executive Director of the Organization, has been delivering firewood to veterans and surviving spouses.
She drove 386 miles, mostly along dirt roads, to reach remote areas within the Central Agency. The Central Agency consists of 16 chapter houses and 3 districts.
The Central Agency is one of the administrative divisions of the Navajo Nation with a population of approximately 27,823 people on the reservation. The agency oversees various chapters, such as Chinle, Many Farms, and Tsaile/Wheatfields, among others. These agencies function similarly to counties and are part of the broader structure of the Navajo Nation’s governance.
The Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona is vast, beautiful and cold. It snowed again. It’s not quite Spring, yet. These people just want to keep warm. Additionally, there are no street names or signs. Thus, it’s easy to get lost.
The Unfinished Houses
Valerie delivered firewood to a elderly surviving spouse, Ramona, who’s husband lost his life in the Vietnam War. She lives with here grandchildren. Her daughter passed away and the father visits occasionally to help with heavy things around the unfinished house.
They had started an addition to Ramona’s house, but couldn’t finish it before the winter came. Rain and snow made the house unlivable. They are residing with a neighboring family member, whose house is also unfinished.
Delivering More Firewood
From Whipporwill, she followed Mary Tom to Burnt Corn to visit David Belinte. He is and elderly veteran and walks with a cane. He is in need of a thick blanket, sweatshirts, sweatpants, adult diapers, and thick socks.
David Belinte, a veteran.
Valerie with Mrs Belinte
They live in separate homes. The husband lives with his daughter. Mrs. Belinte lives in the house he built. The house and the front area are in need of repair and work.
As you can see, the needs of many in the Navajo Nation are great. Several — too many — live in conditions like the ones pictured here. Many don’t have running water or electricity. That’s why firewood was essential for them to survive the winter.
