“Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to partner with Vermillion Area Dance Organization to support community health and wellness.  With this DHF grant funding, they will be able to offer more fitness options to the Vermillion Community,” said John Prescott, president, Dakota Hospital Foundation.

Dakota Hospital Foundation held its fall open grant period from April 1 – 30, 2021.  Two community grants were awarded a total of $3,600.  The next open grant period for DHF will be October 1 – 31, 2021.

Pictured (L-R): Joni Freidel, DHF board member, Pam Ford, VADO Executive Director, Kelly Herbster, DHF board member, Lisa Ketcham, DHF board member, Adrienne Lewis, VADO, Andy Howe, DHF Vice-President, Damon Alvey, DHF board member.

“The Support of the Dakota Hospital Foundation towards the SD Shakespeare Festival’s 2021 season is extremely impactful. We are overjoyed to be able to return to creating and sharing live professional theatre with our communities after such a difficult and challenging year. Now, more than ever, the arts are needed to heal, uplift, and inspire. Support from the DHF helps us make this vision a reality. Thank you,” said Chaya Gordon-Bland, Executive Artistic Director.

“Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to partner with SD Shakespeare Festival to support community health and wellness.  With this DHF grant funding, they will be able to offer the Vermillion Community the chance to engage, experience, and enjoy the art of theatre,” said John Prescott, president, Dakota Hospital Foundation.

Dakota Hospital Foundation held its fall open grant period from April 1 – 30, 2021.  Two community grants were awarded a total of $3,600.  The next open grant period for DHF will be October 1 – 31, 2021.

Pictured (L-R): Joni Freidel, DHF board member, Linda Kogel, DHF Past President, Oliver Mayes, Director SD Shakespeare, Joe Stollenwerk, Board Director SD Shakespeare, Shekendra Morgan, Board Director SD Shakespeare, Brian Smallwood, Director of operations and Production SD Shakespeare, Chaya Gordon-Bland, Executive Artistic Director SD Shakespear, Tom Overby, DHF board  member

“We are always in need of CASA volunteers so not to leave any children on a waiting list.  This grant will fund training for new volunteers to meet the needs as they arise.  We serve five counties: Clay, Union, Yankton, Turner and Bon Homme.  We are currently serving 20 – 25 children continuously. We are grateful for this grant award.” Sherri Rodgers-Conti, CASA Program Director.

“Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to partner with the Court Appointed Special Advocates to support community health and wellness. Our community’s children and their future to live a safe quality of life is something the foundation feels passionate about,” said John Prescott, president, Dakota Hospital Foundation.

Dakota Hospital Foundation held its fall open grant period from October 1 – 31, 2020.  Four community grants were awarded a total of $10,675.  The next open grant period for DHF will be April 1 – 30, 2021.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Howe, DHF vice-president, Sherri Rodgers-Conti, CASA Program Director, Paul Preister, DHF board member, Katie Kassin, Southeast CASA board member, Crystal Gemar CASA board member, John Prescott, DHF president, Lisa Ketcham, DHF board member, Tim Tracy, Senior Director, Sanford Vermillion.

“Vermillion VFW Post 3061 sincerely thanks the Dakota Hospital Foundation for its support of Veterans’ concerns and for providing funding to improve our Memorial Day Avenue of Flags project which will allow it to continue into the future with the purchase of lighter and more weather resistant flags.” Andy Howe, DHF Vice President and VFW Post Quartermaster/Adjutant.

“Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to partner with the Vermillion Veterans of Foreign Wars to support community health and wellness.  Showing our appreciation and patriotism to our military community and their families is an honor. With this DHF grant funding, they will be able to purchase seventy five new nylon flags, to be displayed Memorial Day weekend,” said John Prescott, president, Dakota Hospital Foundation.

Dakota Hospital Foundation held its fall open grant period from October 1 – 31, 2020.  Four community grants were awarded a total of $10,675.  The next open grant period for DHF will be April 1 – 30, 2021.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Howe, DHF Vice President, Art Mabry, VFW member, Jackie Voigt, John Prescott, DHF President, Jim Richardson, VFW member, Lisa Ketcham, DHF board member, Terry Brady, VFW member, Tim Tracy, Senior Director, Sanford Vermillion.

“We’re so grateful to the Dakota Hospital Foundation for their support of The Evan Project, and grateful to the talented students who helped us tell our story. Because of so many people working together, babies in our community are going to be happy and healthy for a long time to come,” said Catherine Johnson, Community Impact Director.

“Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to partner with The Evan Project to support community health and wellness.  With this DHF grant funding, they will be able to provide diapers, that are readily available to support the one hundred plus children and local families in need,” said John Prescott, president, Dakota Hospital Foundation.

Dakota Hospital Foundation held its fall open grant period from October 1 – 31, 2020.  Four community grants were awarded a total of $10,675.  The next open grant period for DHF will be April 1 – 30, 2021.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Howe, DHF Vice-President, Cindy Benzel, DHF Director, Ken Green, USD Coordinator of Business Writing, Tim Tracy, Senior Director, Sanford Vermillion, Catherine Johnson, Community Impact Director for United Way of Vermillion, Lisa Ketcham, DHF board member, Kailena Anderson, USD student, Linda Kogel, DHF board member, John Prescott, DHF President.

“I am pleased to have been selected to partner with the Dakota Hospital Foundation in supporting its mission to enhance the quality of life of people in our community. Together, the University of South Dakota Department of Dental Hygiene and the DHF can positively impact high school athletes by providing an opportunity to reduce their risk of injuries to the oral cavity. I’m grateful for the opportunity to assist in removing barriers such as cost and lack of awareness of benefits of wearing custom fitted mouth guards that may have previously prohibited the use of these valuable protective devices,” said Carissa Regnerus RDH MA, University of South Dakota Department of Dental Hygiene.

“Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to partner with the USD Department of Dental Hygiene to support community health and wellness. With this DHF grant funding, they will be able to provide mouth guards for 100 student athletes,” said John Prescott, president, Dakota Hospital Foundation.

Dakota Hospital Foundation held its fall open grant period from October 1 – 31, 2019. Five community grants were awarded a total of $16,100. The next open grant period for DHF will be April 1 – 30, 2020. Learn more at www.dakotahospitalfoundation.org.

Pictured (L-R): Tom Schaack, DHF board member, Paul Preister, DHF board member, John Prescott, DHF president, Carissa Regnerus RDH MA, Carissa Regnerus RDH MA, University of South Dakota Dept. of Dental Hygiene, Amy Richardson, VHS Athletic Trainer, Sanford Vermillion, Linda Kogel, DHF board member, Tim Tracy, Senior Director, Sanford Vermillion

The Patriots Plaza project will remind future students and others of the sacrifices of military service and provide an appropriate venue for observance of patriotic holidays and related events.

“The Dakota Hospital Foundation has made an incredible donation to the Patriots Plaza Project of $10,000.  Due to their unbelievable generosity and the overwhelming support of the Vermillion and University community the groundbreaking of the project should begin at the end of May,” said Ross Dickenson, Fundraising Coordinator.

“Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to support this tribute to military service and all our veterans. This project is a meaningful way to do that,” said John Prescott, DHF president.

Dakota Hospital Foundation held its fall open grant period from October 1 – 31, 2019.  Five community grants were awarded a total of $16,100.  The next open grant period for DHF will be April 1 – 30, 2020.

Pictured (L-R): Damon Alvey, Dakota Hospital Foundation board member, Chris Meyers, sculptor, John Holter, charter member, Jacob Aus, USD Veterans Club, Andy Howe (Dakota Hospital Foundation board member), Greg Huckabee (charter member), Joni Freidel Dakota Hospital Foundation board member, Gary Conradi, committee member, and Tim Tracy, Sanford Vermillion Senior Director.

The requested funding will assist with the USD SSOM Healthcare Career Summer Camp (HCSC). The HCSC is a 5-day camp held on the campus of the University of South Dakota that explores a variety of healthcare careers available with the state.

“The USD Sanford School of Medicine is so appreciative of the continued support from the Dakota Hospital Foundation for our Healthcare Careers Summer Camp. This summer 2020 will be our 14th annual camp, and we are excited to continue to spark high school students’ interest in healthcare careers and building the future workforce to serve the healthcare needs of the state,” Dr. Kenyon.

“The USD Healthcare Careers Summer Camp is an important educational opportunity for high school students throughout the state and region. DHF is able to support HCSC and other community health and wellness programs through these bi-annual grant programs,” said John Prescott, president, Dakota Hospital Foundation.

Dakota Hospital Foundation held its fall open grant period from October 1 – 31, 2019. Five community grants were awarded a total of $16,100.  The next open grant period for DHF will be April 1 – 30, 2020.

Pictured: Damon Leader Charge (USD Director of Tribal Outreach, SSOM Assistant Diversity Pipeline Coordinator), Tom Schaack (DHF board member), Lisa Ketcham (DHF board member), Tim Tracy (Sanford Vermillion, Senior Director), DenYelle Baete Kenyon (SSOM Assoc. Dean of Diversity, Public Health Program Director), Donis Drappeau (SSOM Diversity Pipeline Coordinator).

This year’s Best in Show was awarded to the Vermillion Community Gardens, “Hymnal Wreath”. Best Business was awarded to Knutson Family Dentistrys’, “Home for the Holidays.” The winner of the Individual category was Kathy Manning with “Late Frost” and the Best in the Refurbished category was awarded to Lisa Sorensen for her entry of “Vintage Button Centerpiece.”

Thank you to everyone who attended and a big thank you to everyone who submitted their beautiful holiday décor. This event would not be possible without all of you.