After the hunt, several of us attended the “Race for Room” fundraiser for eight year old Jacob Moser, who is a quadriplegic because of a neurological disorder he suffered as an infant.

Mary Jo Nemec, an LPN an RN and SDSU nursing student (and Nic’s wife) is one of Jacob’s caregivers.

The Highmore Women’s Civic Club and the community held a soup and sandwich fundraiser to help Jacob’s family build a handicap accessible bedroom and make their bathroom more acccessbile.

Highmore and Hyde County residents filled the city auditorium for the feed and auctions.  And Senator Tim Johnson, Barbara Johnson, and their grandson Pen Johnson also came to lend their support to Jacob and his family.

I believe Kevin Woster will have a more extensive report on Mt. Blogmore.  Here are some photos I took of the heartwarming event.

From Pat Powers at SD War College:

Since Sibby expressed such concern today about what I’m doing fordisaster relief, it will delight him to know that I’m raising money forit. While locally, I have and do respond to disasters, for nationalevents, the role I was hired for by my board of directors for is to actas spokesman for our local organization and to advocate for individualsacross a region (all the way up to the North Dakota) to donate moneyfor disaster relief.

Nationally, we’re gearing up for acampaign to replenish the coffers that the National Red Cross has hadto deplete by responding to floods, such as the ones that just occurredin Iowa earlier this summer, and the hurricanes that we’re dealing withright now.  

However, instead of the Sib-man wondering what others are doing, I’d invite him to feel free to take action himself.  Click here, and you can make a donation.  As such, please allow me to invite Steve to be the first to pledgehimself and his readers to a donation for disaster relief.

In fact, I’d issue a friendly challenge to all South Dakota Bloggers who have been copied on this message to do their part . I managed to raise $500 for charity when I auctioned off sibbyonline.com. I’m sure everyone can find an equally creative way to raise money for the Red Cross.

The Red Cross provides direct assistance to help people get on their feetwith such basics as money to buy food, shoes and clothing in times ofdisaster. In mass care situations, the Red Cross operates shelters andprovides hot meals for those displaced. That’s what your money will gotowards in providing the relief.

It’s not a Republican thing.It’s not a Democrat thing. It’s not a conservative thing. It’s not aliberal thing. It’s helping people in their hour of need, and makingsure the money is there to do it.

So please, lend a helping hand.

From Barack Obama;

Today, the thoughts and prayers of all Americans are with those in the path of Hurricane Gustav— and many of you are asking what you can do to help.

We do not yet know what the impact of Hurricane Gustav will be, and we hope with all our hearts that the damage will not be as great as it was three years ago.

But we know there will be damage, and there is something you can do right now.

Your financial support will strengthen organizations like the American Red Cross that are evacuating Gulf Coast residents and planning to help communities get back on their feet.

Make a donation to support the American Red Cross today.

At times like this, it is our compassion and resilience that define who we are as a nation.

Please give whatever you can afford, even $10, to make sure the American Red Cross has the resources to help those in the path of this storm:

https://donate.barackobama.com/redcross

Thank you for your generosity, and I hope you will join Michelle and me in praying for the safety of those in the path of the storm and the first responders who are doing all they can to ensure the safety of their communities.

Barack

Fellow South Dakota blogger Jennifer McNamara (who keeps telling me that pit bulls are nice doggies) has a great opportunity to help some of our fellow sentient beings with tails.

Here’s a release about her project with webshow, The Dog Files. I hope you can help her help our canine brothers and sisters.

The Dog Files Fundraiser

The Dog Files is a web video show about dogs and the people wholove them. In the northeast, we have been lucky & grateful to work with multiple shelters, foster programs, and pet advocates. Our subject matter has helped these non-profit organizations by giving them the well deserved press they need.

Recently,we have teamed up with Jennifer McNamara, a rescue advocate and animal educator from South Dakota. She will arrange for the show to shoot episodes regarding laws associated with breed bans in the Midwest, the struggle with rescuing & finding dogs homes, and her own family’s story of being an all-American family with three Pit Bulls.

With Jennifer’s intel & advice, we have become determined to visit her neighbor states that have been ravaged by the recent flooding disaster. We want to make a difference by spreading the word about this natural disaster and how it has the dog population in America’s Heartland.

Each episode filmedwill help spread the word about the overpopulation of dogs, the sad growing popularity of banning certain breeds, and the undeniable connection all American’s have with man’s best friend!

Our goalis to raise enough money for the remaining airfare balance. Each plane ticket to Sioux Falls, South Dakota costs $516.50 & because of people like you who care, one plane ticket has already been secured.

TO DONATE, GO TO http://bit.ly/FABJJ OR HTTP://WWW.THEDOGFILES.COM

My father Rodney just cuts to it.

We’re eating breakfast today in Kansas and he simply announces, “You know, in Aurora, Nebraska (the county seat of the county he grew up in), they have a beautiful new hospital, nursing home, museum, and a library twice as big as we have here in Augusta.”

“Okay Dad, what’s you’re point” as a slurpped my Life cereal and raisins.

“The oil companies and refineries left nothing for Augusta and El Dorado. They just took and took and took and gave nothing back.”

Mobil was the refinery owner for years here in Augusta. There’s no Mobil Community Center or Mobil Park or Mobil Arts Center, or anything. Just a rusting pile of refinery towers and tanks and a mini-Superfund site of noxious chemicals.

El Dorado, just up the road and once the home of Getty and Texaco, has done little better.

Throw in oil barons and others who made a killing here in the south central Kansas “oil patch” and you see little civic corporate responsibility and generosity.

Which leads me, round aboutly, to that putative refinery in our own South Dakota backyard, Hyperion.

Now mind you, I’m still undecided about the refinery. Actually, I don’t think it will ever be built, at least by Hyperion. They don’t have the money, the expertise, or the mojo. But let’s play fantasy and say they do.

Back here in Kansas, while Mobil and Getty may not have been the best of corporate citizens, they did provide really good jobs for a number of years. And hey, if you like to drive, you gotta have oil refineries.

Will Hyperion be like a Wells Fargo that donated big bucks to the Cinedome at the Sioux Falls Washington Pavilion and is a supporter of the arts? Will it be a First Premier (ala T. Denny Sanford) and support health care and sports?

Will it even be on the order of a robber baron like George Hearst in Lead, where Homestake built a beautiful opera house and a YMCA?

El Dorado and August, Kansas are nice communities. But they could have been so much better, as my Dad suggested, if the corporations and others who extracted and refined all the oil around here would have put something back into their communities like the doctors, lawyers, farmers, publishers, and others of his boyhood county seat of Aurora. And like many of the corporate citizens we have in Sioux Falls.

Will Hyperion “take and take and take” like their Kansas cousins?

If the Kansas oil patch is instructive, don’t expect a different result.

Technorati Tags: Hyperion, Union County, Gorilla Project, oil refineries, oil companies, El Dorado, Augusta, Kansas, Elk Point, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Getty, Mobil, Texaco

CHICAGO, May 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network, is showcasing a week long photo essay in an effort to spotlight the many faces of hunger in America. Each day, a powerful image of an American who relies on one of the nations food banks for their next meal, is revealed in the week long photo essay. Congress is currently debating a new version of the expired 2007 Farm Bill that is necessary to bring much needed relief to 35 million hungry Americans.

Today's Photo:

Philomen, Mission, South Dakota

Life on the Rosebud Indian Reservation is difficult for Philomen. He lives in Mission, South Dakota, which has a population of 900 and is located in one of the five poorest counties in the United States. Mission, with its limited infrastructure and isolated location, offers little in terms of jobs or opportunities for advancement. "Some days, it's hard to earn a dollar in this town," Philomen says. But thanks to the work of a local soup kitchen that receives product and assistance from the Community Food Banks of South Dakota and America's Second Harvest, he gets a hot meal several times a week, and the support and encouragement of friends and neighbors. For Philomen, and thousands of other individuals across South Dakota, the food they receive through the America's Second Harvest network provides the nourishment to survive and hope for a better future.

To learn more about how you can help, please visit www.sdfoodbanks.org

Technorati Tags: Philomen, Mission, South Dakota, hunger, Second Harvest

As a bonus for being a reader of South Dakota Watch, I am setting aside 20 tickets to the 52d Annual Lions Club Pancake Days, 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 15 and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

The event takes place at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

I am a member of the Downtown Lions Club and have bought a packet of tickets. I’ll also be working the late afternoon and evening shifts on April 16.

Tickets are first come, first served. If you want some tickets, please email me at epplaw(at)gmail(dot)com and let me know how many you want and if you can pick the tickets up at my work, Galland Law Firm, PC, 317 N. Main Ave., Sioux Falls, or if I need to mail them to you.

It’s a good time and you’ll be sure to see lots of people you know. Plus, it’s for a good cause, as this is our main fund raiser of the year and all the proceeds to go to our various Lions programs for sight and youth.

Free food and all you have to do is read SD Watch! What a deal!

Technorati Tags: pancakes, Pancake Days, Lions Club, Downtown Sioux Falls Lions Club

Lt. Col Paula Johnson (USA ret.) is on a mission.

The former procurement and contracts officer at the Pentagon wants South Dakota’s Guardsmen and women and reservists to know that South Dakotans care about them this holiday season.

And that local Democrats care as well.

Like the former supply officer she is, the secretary of the county party is coordinating the local’s Dem’s “Any Soldier” project.

She talks with passion about how difficult it is to be so far away from friends and family—whether it is at a base across the country or in the mountains of Afghanistan.

She says service members sometimes feel forgotten.  Problems with mail service can compound the problem to far flung areas.

So, to make sure our troops have comfort items, books, magazine, and the little things that we take for granted, she is coordinating this effort.

As you are out shopping for Christmas the next few days, add the following to your list:

 

For Men:

Anti-bacterial wipes, baby wipes, hand/foot warmers, nail clippers, tweezers, foot powder, toothbrushes and tooth paste, deodorant, sunscreen with high SPF, first aid kits, medicated lip balm w/SPF 15, dental travel kits, dental floss, mouthwash, combs and brushes, shaving gel, razors, hand sanitizer, cotton swabs, tissues, toilet paper, liquid shower soap, hand and foot lotions.

For Women:

Same as above plus, Tampax/compact tampons, panty liners, shower to shower body powders, ponytail holders.

Foods (all prepackaged, no homemade, no glass, non-perishable):

Nutri-grain bars, fruit snacks, beef jerky, beef sticks, Marathon protein bars (Snickers), Chunk LIte Tuna Paks, One A Day Active Multi-vitamins, enhanced power packets, energy bars, coffe, teas, creamers, juice, microwave popcorn, cookies, chocolates, candy for Iraqi children, gum, herbal teas.

Clothing and other items:

Crayons, coloring books, pens, and toys to hand out to Iraqi children; AA and AAA batteries, flashlights, sunglasses, shower shoes, T-shirts (black or army tan M-XXL), black gloves, envelopes, writing paper, stamps, white or dark green socks, long sleev t-shirts (M-XXL, black, dark green, tan), eyeglass cleaning wipes for eyeglasses and goggles, twin bed sheets and pillow cases*, towels”, DVDs, music CDs, novels, international phone cards (ATT is best), board games, trivia games, magazines and puzzle book.

You can also donate a check for $8.95 made out to USPO to pay for postage on one box of goods that will be shipped overseas (cash also accepted).

You can also enclose a letter to the troops.  Please include your return address and email address so they can respond back to you.

Take your items to the South Dakota Democratic Headquarters at 309 W. 43d St.  (A block east of Minnesota just east a couple of buildings from the Subway.)  Please have them at SDDP HQ by 4 p.m., Wednesday, November 28th.  There will be a “Packing Party” to assemble the goods for mailing to our South Dakota troops starting at 1 p.m., Friday, November 30th at SDDP HQ.

The party is also in need of heavy duty quart-sized Ziplock bags to make individual “Care Packages” for the troops.

You don’t need to be a Democrat to contribute.  Anyone is welcome to contribute goods, money for postage, or their time to help Paula and fellow Democrats support our troops.

If you have questions, contact Paula at contact(at)minnehahadems(dot)org or minnehahadems(at)midconetwork(dot)com or 605.217.5405.

It’s nice to say you support the troops.  It’s even better to support them with your time and resources.

 

(Cross-posted to the Home Edition of SD Watch and SDW @ KELOLAND.com.  Please feel free to repost on your blog.)

Above: Lt. Col Paula Johnson (USA Ret.) at one of the tables of goods donated for South Dakota’s troops by the Minnehaha County Democratic Party.  US Postal mailers are at right that the goods will go into. 

Bottom:  Some of the goods local Democrats have gathered for our troops.  Help out our troops an donate some items by Wednesday.

 

*Check with Paula before purchasing so she can make sure they are sent to a base or semi-permanent facility.

Technorati Tags: anysoldier.com, Minnehaha County Democratic Party, Democrats, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, Guardsmen, reservists, holidays, support our troops, South Dakota Democratic Party

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Boy, that damn Stan Adelstein, who does he think he is!?

Giving away money to help preserve the history and culture of South Dakota.

Just like a damn RINO—and friend of Gov. Mike Rounds.

The nerve!

A blurb from State Government about mean old selfish Stan:

1) Tourism and State Development: PRESERVING SOUTH DAKOTA IN PICTURES(Press Release)
The South Dakota Heritage Fund announced a contribution of $15,000 from the Stan Adelstein Family Fund to assist the South Dakota State Historical Society in the digitization of historic photos of the Black Hills.
Go to this link. 

This ought to make the hardcore Republicans boil.

On a more serious note, Stan is a very generous person and this is just another example of his civic-mindedness.  Thank you Stan for your gift that will help citizens and historians in the future understand our state’s history. 

I didn’t even know the John Birch Society was still around. I thought they went out of business in the ’70s about the same time leisures suits did.

But the ultra-Rightwing group also weighs in on T. Denny Sanford’s Really Big Gift and also thinks it’s okey dokey.

Good Will Thrives in America
John Birch Society, WI - 11 hours ago
T. Denny Sanford made billions of dollars as the owner of First Premier Bank and Premier Bankcard. Although the 71-year old South Dakotan is well known for …

technorati tags:Denny, Sanford, charity, philanthropy, sioux, falls, valley, hospitals, john, birch, society

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My search results are abuzz with people looking for more information about South Dakota philanthropist T. Denny Sanford.

Here you go. Results are from Google.

Recent news:

• Enhanced reputation could attract top scientists Sioux Falls Argus Leader, SD - Feb 3, 2007  T. Denny Sanford’s $400 million donation has recipients thinking it will propel biomedical research in South Dakota to international stature. …

• T. Denny Sanford’s History of Giving KELOLAND TV.  T. Denny Sanford’s400 million dollar gift is the second largest donation ever made to amedical institution. The only one larger was 1-point-1 billion …

• Philanthropist gives $400 million to Sioux Falls hospital Minnesota Public Radio

• SD Billionaire Donates $400 Million Washington Post

• Don’t let envy, doubt undermine this dream Sioux Falls Argus Leader
  

• Sanford Expansions Won’t Affect Homes KELOLAND TV. T. Denny Sanford’s $400 million gift will bring many changes to the newly named Sanford Health Campus. The people who live on the block in Sioux Falls near …

Background on T. Denny Sanford:

• Unified Judicial System  T. Denny Sanford filed for divorce from his wife Colleen Anderson Sanford, … Colleen Anderson Sanford and T. Denny Sanford met in Sioux Falls, …

technorati tags:Denny, Sanford, charity, philanthropy, greed, south, dakota, hospitals

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T. Denny Sanford, South Dakota’s Andrew Carnegie?And I mean that in both the good and bad that that implies.

Carnegie was a robber baron from America’s “Gilded Age”.

Sanford’s fortune was made on the usury rates that South Dakota law allows credit card companies like First Premier to charge its customers.  I guess you would call this South Dakota’s “Plastic Age.”

Carnegie took a lot of money out of the economy in his time. So did Sanford.

But then they put a lot back in into libraries and foundations for Carnegie and kids and medicine for Sanford.  These are obviously very good things.
Andrew Carnegie left a legacy of libraries across America.

KSFY-TV has the details about today’s history announcement: Sioux Valley Hospital to Change Name

Excerpt:

Saturday was a historic day for Sioux Valley Hospital. PhilanthropistT. Denny Sanford donated $400 million to the health system, and SiouxValley officials announced the hospital will now have a new name… .

But with all the great good T. Denny’s donation will have on the lives of people, particularly children, and on the economy of Sioux Falls, it has come at a price that is difficult to measure—just as Carnegie’s did a century ago.

Just something to think about. 

More about T. Denny Sanford:

• The Black Hills Pioneer, Newspapers, South Dakota, SD
• Feds put limits on stadium donor’s company - Minnesota Daily
• #117 T Denny Sanford - Forbes.com
• USD - Sanford Gift

More about Andrew Carnegie:

• American Experience - The Richest Man in the World: Andrew Carnegie
• Andrew Carnegie
• History: Andrew Carnegie and Carnegie Libraries

technorati tags:charity, donations, carnegie, sanford, south, dakota, hospitals, medicine, libraries

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A Very Special Gift for Your Valentine!

The folks at SDPB are appreciate of the S.D. bloggers’ efforts to help SDPB in their fundraising.  Here’s an excertp from Fritz Miller, the marketing director for the networks:

Also, so that anyone who wants to donate doesn’t have to navigate through our website, if you would like to link directly to our Support page it might be a little easier. The support page is here: http://www.sdpb.org/members/index.asp and the page that takes them directly to the secure online pledge page is here: https://secure.publicbroadcasting.net/sdpb/pledge.pledgemain.

For those who want to call during pledge, the toll-free number is 800-777-0789. We will be informing the folks answering the phones to be prepared in case people identify themselves as bloggers, or readers of blogs.

The Viking over at Dakota Today had a good idea: S.D. Bloggers of all political views could help S.D. Public TV in its current “Winterfest” fundraising.  I said I’d help (I’m a SDPTV alum.)  Besides this spot, I will put up a permanent Public Service Announcement for SDPB over on the left-hand column.  So, give to SDPB at SDPB.ORG or call 1-800-777-0789 and tell them S.D. Watch sent you.

Great idea, Doug!