By Ryan Nakamura
Staff Writer
Future Business Leaders of America concluded its annual Operation Walking Shield Drive on October 27. The Walking Shield organization, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for Native Americans, collects backpacks of school items and other necessities and donates them to underprivileged Native American students ranging from K-12 all over the United States. FBLA set out on a month-long donation process in gathering books, toys, clothing, and hygiene items for 35 underprivileged Native American students.
“I think it’s important for the students to have some philanthropic project to know that there’s others out there less fortunate than us,” FBLA advisor Cathy Mason said.
Walking Shield began in 1986 by descendent of the Lakota tribe in order to provide care and improved quality of life to other Native American students. What started out as a humble beginning quickly grew into a nationwide project for Native Americans around the nation. FBLA hopes to continue host Operation Walking Shield in the foreseeable future.
“A lot of people don’t know the extent of poverty that Native Americans experience today and this is just a really great way to raise awareness and help people who are desperately in need,” FBLA President Denise Huang said.