Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Lisa Ottmar, Helpline Center Development Director.

from their website:

Your Steps Matter. Your Support Saves Lives.

​At 9:00am on Saturday, June 7, over 300 attendees will have the opportunity to hear from our guest speaker Stefanie Kummer who lost her son, Alex, to suicide at the age of 16 in 2021. After we hear her story of hope, names of those lost to suicide will be read aloud during the Remembrance Ceremony. To submit a name by June 5, please click here (names will be read in alphabetical order by first name). Then the event will conclude with a 1.5 mile walk from Fawick Park to Cliff Ave and back.

We encourage people to put together a team or register as an individual as we continue to step forward to prevent suicide and support those bereaved by loss. If you're not able to attend the event but wish to donate or purchase a t-shirt online, that's great as well! Funds raised through the walk will benefit the Helpline Center's suicide awareness and prevention programs and services.

The Helpline Center and the Step Forward to Prevent Suicide Committee are pleased to welcome Mitchell Olson from Keloland Living as this year’s guest emcee. If you would like to join the planning committee, volunteer at the event or have any questions in general, please email donate@helplinecenter.org or call 605-274-1420.

Can't Join the Walk? You Can Still Save a Life. Consider donating to this important cause!

If you have questions on the event, please reach out to our event staff at donate@helplinecenter.org or 605-274-1420.

If you or a family member are in crisis, please reach out to the Helpline Center by calling 988.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Jon Mammenga,
Chief Philanthropy Officer of the Sioux Falls Children's Home, about their history and major fundraiser this summer.

Join us in helping prevent, treat, and heal trauma

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Sioux Falls Convention Center
1201 N. West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD

For the past 29 years, Caring For The Kids has raised nearly $9.8 million to support Children’s Home Society of South Dakota. The Caring for the Kids banquet is a wonderful evening event that begins with a social hour featuring silent auction packages and an opportunity to grant wishes for children. Following the social hour, guests enjoy a sit-down dinner, a keynote speaker and a live auction. Proceeds from this event benefit the children and families served by Children’s Home Society.

• 5:00 pm – Doors open for social hour, silent auction begins, wish wall
• 6:00 pm – Program begins and dinner
• 7:00 pm – Keynote speaker, live auction, car raffle drawing

If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact Andrew Hewitt at Andrew.hewitt@chssd.org

Here's How You Can Help! Car Raffle

You could win a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness (Lithium Red)—all while supporting kids in need, thanks to Schulte Subaru!

600 tickets at $100 each will be sold. Don't miss your chance to win—purchase your tickets today! All ticket sales are non-refundable. Please refer to Car Raffle Rules below for more details.

We wish you the best of luck in the Caring For The Kids Car Raffle drawing, which takes place Sunday, August 3, 2025. You need not be present to win, but we kindly ask that you keep your phone nearby, as we’ll be calling the lucky winner!

If you require any assistance or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Sarah Nichols at sarah.nichols@chssd.org or 605-965-3138.

A Century of Service

Established in 1893, Children's Home Society of South Dakota is the state's oldest human service nonprofit organization. Serving as South Dakota's primary orphanage and adoption agency for more than 70 years, thousands of children were rescued, cared for, and provided permanent families.

In the late 1960s, the need for orphanages diminished across the country as foster care was introduced and became the preferred method of care for abused and abandoned children.

To address another growing need, we then focused our efforts on developing residential treatment and special education programs.

Over the years, we have continued to expand our continuum of programs to meet the evolving needs of children and families. These include Emergency Shelter and Crisis Intervention, Forensic Interviews and Advocacy, Residential Treatment and Education, Adoption and Foster Care, Nurse-Family Visitation, and Prevention Education and Training.

Through our many programs, we serve families, individuals, and children of all ages. Many are victims of domestic violence, abuse and neglect, or traumatic life events.

We also partner with caring parents to help children with emotional or behavioral needs.

Through all of our programs, we are ready to come alongside parents or guardians to strengthen their families, and to help children get the care and services they need.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Erin Brown, Director of the South Dakota Veteran's Cemetery north of Sioux Falls.

from their website:

Veterans Cemetery
The South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery is the first federally funded, state-owned and operated veteran’s cemetery in South Dakota. Its official dedication date was Memorial Day 2021. The first veterans were laid to rest on June 4, 2021.

What is Provided
* Gravesite or Columbarium Niche
* Pre-placed Grave Liner (Standard Size)
* Headstone/Niche Cover
* Perpetual Care

Cost
Veteran
$0 (all burial options)

Spouse
$948 (all burial options)

*Fees for spouse/eligible dependents cannot be prepaid and are subject to change.

Burial Arrangements
The funeral director or the next of kin makes burial arrangements for an eligible Veteran, spouse or dependent at the time of need by contacting the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery. A spouse or dependent is buried based upon the eligibility of the Veteran. To establish the Veteran's eligibility, a copy of the Veteran's military discharge document or a DD214 must be provided. If these documents are not available, the cemetery must be provided with sufficient military information to allow the cemetery to access federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and/or military records to establish eligibility. The cemetery staff will set a tentative date for the committal service pending verification of service and character of discharge, and will notify the applicant when the committal service is scheduled. The proposed date and time will be approved only when the cemetery verifies eligibility and confirms the arrangements.

Floral Policies
Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time. Temporary containers and water are provided in locations around the main cemetery drive. Floral items will be removed from graves by cemetery personnel as soon as they become faded or unsightly. Artificial flowers may be placed on graves during the periods specified on the floral regulation signs located at the administration building. Plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects of any nature and any other type of commemorative items are not permitted on the graves

Committal Services
The cemetery can do seven committal services per day, Monday - Friday, on a first-come first served basis, every hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (3 p.m. is cremation only). Committal services are limited to 20 minutes. All committal services should be brief and need to start on the hour at the scheduled time. Families who extend their services can greatly affect others who have reserved the following time. All committal services are held in the committal shelter. This ensures the family's safety and provides a fitting location for military honors and the ability of our staff to continue cemetery operations. The remains are removed from the committal shelter for burial following the family's departure and are never left unattended by cemetery staff. Clergy services and other arrangements are the responsibility of the family or family representative. These arrangements are normally coordinated through the chosen funeral director.

Casket
A pre-placed gravellier is provided by the cemetery for all casket burials. Casket gravesites are permanently marked with an upright headstone. Cremation (In-Ground)

In-ground cremation gravesites provide a traditional burial option for cremated remains. In-ground cremation gravesites are marked with an upright granite headstone. The choice for the placement of cremated remains either in-ground or above-ground will need to be determined by the next-of-kin. Cremation (Columbarium)
The columbarium provides an above-ground option for cremated remains. Columbarium niches are marked with a granite niche cover. The choice for the placement of cremated remains either in-ground or above-ground will need to be determined by the next-of-kin.
The cemetery will serve as a hallowed resting place for all eligible veterans and family members. South Dakota Veterans Cemetery - Phasing Plan


South Dakota Veterans Cemetery - Wreaths Across America

Published

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.