Everyone who helped tribe following fires is thanked

Dear editor:

Our community has the quickest, kindest heart. When we sought help for the Shoshone-Paiutes, our citizens responded immediately.

In August, for eight days the Duck Valley Indian Reservation had no electricity due to the Murphy Complex fire burning power poles through the Jarbridge Mountains. The tribes needed ice, food and emergency services for their 300 families and 30 shut-ins.

We called Councilman Tom Rist for ideas on how to let the community know about the Sho-Pai's dilemma. He advised us to attend a city informational meeting. After our city government and the Chamber of Commerce were asked for help, the Wells-Fargo bank account, set up for donations, started receiving money. Individual gifts, from $2 to $1,000, added up to help offset the tribe's $250,000 bill due to the power shortage. Donations came in from all walks of life -- educators, military folks, professional athletes, business people, farmers, retirees.

We thank all of you who responded to our request for our friends. As neighbors, Duck Valley sits equally between Mountain Home and Elko. The Shoshone-Paiutes choose to shop in Mountain Home. They worked with us to secure the Mountain Home Force Base Training Range. For our leisure time, they provide us with great recreational fishing. They add so much to our community.

John and Sher Sellman