There are a number of things that hold communities together. Things like music and the arts. Sports is also something that holds communities together - we see this true in cultures all over the world, and it is no different for life in the Navajo Nation.
 
For about four years now, Vineyard Gilbert has had the opportunity to come alongside the Hard Rock Chapter in the Navajo Nation to offer support to the leadership in that community as they serve the needs of their Elders and the more vulnerable in their community. A couple of years ago, opportunities to help the local school (Rocky Ridge Boarding School) presented themself. In doing school drives, we've been able to partner with the leadership to provide students with the school supplies needed to begin their school year strong, which is a help to the teachers, students, and families.

Also, the school is a hybrid, where it houses the children who live so far away that they would not be able to make the trip to school every day. So, some of our donations during the year help to make school a home-away-from-home for those students.

The Sports Initiative
Wanting to be a resource to support the families who have to be separate from their children for a good part of the year, we've been working with Jay Begay to provide resources for those families to make the long drive out to be able to cheer for their children as they compete in their different athletic competitions throughout the year.

Also, some families don't have the resources to purchase the proper shoes for children to compete in the different sports, so this means kids might participate in the wrong shoes for the sport - leaving them sore and prone to injury. We have been working with Jay to make sure that kids have the shoes that they need.