The sculpture is sponsored by Dakota Hospital Foundation.

This initiative encourages employees to share innovative ideas that enhance patient care, resident experiences, safety, and our overall environment at Sanford Vermillion. We are proud to recognize the outstanding submissions received this year:

• Beth Zavala — Installation of a Midblock Pedestrian Crossing
• Craig Sorensen — Updated Bariatric Bed to Improve Patient Care & Safety
• Eva Schaap — for her project Seating Area in Front of the Care Center
• Tim Young — Care Center TV Stands with Fireplaces

Each submission reflected creativity, compassion, and a commitment to improving the experience for patients, residents, visitors, and staff.

Congratulations to this year’s $1,000 Employee Idea Challenge winner, Eva Schaap, for her project, Seating Area in Front of the Care Center!

Thank you to all participants for your dedication to making a positive difference in our community and organization. Your ideas truly help move our mission of community health and wellness forward!

Andy’s lifelong dedication to service, leadership and the Vermillion community has made a lasting impact on the well-being of countless individuals and families throughout our region. From his years of public service to his commitment to community organizations, Andy exemplifies the spirit of community health and wellness.

We were honored to celebrate Andy during the Dakota Hospital Foundation Leadership Dinner and share a special tribute video recognizing his many contributions.

Please join us in congratulating Andy Howe on this well-deserved honor!

• Vermillion Youth Soccer League – $5,500
• Brain Boost Snack Program – $4,500
• Boys & Girls Club of Vermillion – $5500.00

Vermillion Youth Soccer League for Barstow Park Project
The Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to announce a $5,500 grant to the Vermillion Youth Soccer League (VYSL) to purchase four new soccer goals for the Barstow Park Soccer Complex Project. This investment supports local youth soccer teams and aligns with the Foundation’s mission to enhance community health and wellness.

“VYSL is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering positive youth development through sport,” said Erin Vogel, member of the VYSL fundraising committee. “The acquisition of new, regulation-compliant soccer goals will improve safety, quality, and accessibility of youth soccer programming. This investment will expand participation opportunities for players of all ages and abilities, strengthen community pride through local and regional events, and support our mission to develop confident, active, and resilient youth through sport.”
Michael Smith, Board Member of the Dakota Hospital Foundation, added, “We are pleased to partner with VYSL to meet equipment needs for the Barstow Park Project. Providing health and wellness opportunities for youth in our community is at the heart of what we do.”

Pictured Left to right, back row: Tom Mrozla; Cindy Benzel, DHF Director; Michael Smith, DHF board member; Veronica Schmidt, Sanford Vermillion administrator and chief executive officer, Andy Howe, DHF board member; John Sopoci. Left to right, front row: Erin Vogel; Samantha Berres; Misty Wells, Travis Wells; Emma Ladwig.

Brain Boost Snack Program
The Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to announce a $4,500 grant to the Brain Boost snack program, an initiative of Feeding Vermillion. This funding will ensure that all elementary students in the Vermillion Elementary School and St. Agnes Elementary School districts have access to healthy snacks during the school day, supporting improved nutrition and academic success.

“This program meets the Dakota Hospital Foundation’s mission by helping over 600 school children Eat Well, Feel Better, and Move More,” said Emmanuel Akinwande, Director of Feeding Vermillion. “This initiative directly addresses measurable outcomes such as improved focus, behavior, and academic performance by reducing food insecurity and ensuring consistent nutrition.”

Board Member Lana Svein added, “The Dakota Hospital Foundation is pleased to present this grant to the Brain Boost program to fund the purchase and distribution of healthy snacks to all K–5 classrooms at Vermillion Elementary and St. Agnes Elementary schools.”

Pictured Left to Right: Michael Smith, DHF board member; Cindy Benzel, DHF Director; Emmanuel Akinwande, Director of Feeding Vermillion; Amanda Nyhaug, Feeding Vermillion board member, Veronica Schmidt, Sanford Vermillion administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Wynette Mockler, Feeding Vermillion member; Lana Svein, DHF board member.

Boys & Girls Club of Vermillion
The Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to announce a $5,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Vermillion (BGCV) to support the expansion of its Edible Gardens initiative. This project is part of BGCV’s Health and Wellness program and aims to provide youth with greater access to fresh, nutritious food while promoting hands-on learning about sustainable agriculture.

“The Edible Gardens at the Boys & Girls Club represent exactly the kind of initiative the Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to support,” said Andy Howe, Board Member of the Dakota Hospital Foundation. “Projects like this align with our mission to enhance community health and wellness. By providing funding, we help ensure our donors’ contributions have a lasting and widespread impact.”

Scott Klungseth, Director of Grants Management, added, “As part of our commitment to fostering lifelong healthy habits, we recognize the need to improve access to fresh, nutritious food while also instilling knowledge about sustainable food systems and agriculture. In recent years, we’ve observed a gap in hands-on learning opportunities that connect youth to the origins of their food.”

Pictured Left to Right (Back Row) Veronica Schmidt, Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Sanford Vermillion; Josh Bern; Andy Howe, DHF board member. Left to Right (Front Row) Sarah Jessip, Academy Director; Cindy Benzel, DHF Director; Samantha Nelson, Traditional Director; Joni Freidel, DHF board member.

• Vermillion Fastpitch Softball – $1,500
• SESDAC, Inc – $8,500
• Gayville-Volin School District – $5000.00

Vermillion Fastpitch Softball
“The mission of Vermillion Fastpitch Softball is to promote the welfare of girls ages seven to eighteen by creating, sustaining, and supporting a girls softball program (Vermillion Flamz) in Vermillion, SD. Vermillion Fastpitch Softball plays an important role in ensuring girls have access to exercise opportunities that teach persistence and determination through experiences that allow players to grow physically, socially and emotionally. The purchase of additional equipment will fully engage all players on the teams.” Dr. Daniel Mouriam, President of Vermillion Fastpitch Softball

“Dakota Hospital Foundation is pleased to again provide funding to the Fastpitch Softball Association for the equipment needs for the additional team members. We are excited to be a partner in helping to provide health and wellness opportunities for youth in our community,” John Prescott, DHF board member.

Pictured left to right: (back row): Tom Overby, DHF board member, Veronica Schmidt, Sanford Vermillion administrator/CEO; Ann Emerson; Joe Cleveland; Joni Freidel, DHF board member; Michael Smith, DHF board member (front row): John Prescott, DHF board member; Lisa Ketcham, DHF Vice President; Katie Mourlam; Dan Mourlam, President Fastpitch Softball League; Cindy Benzel, DHF Director.

SESDAC, Inc.
The Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to announce an $8,500 grant awarded to SESDAC, Inc. to support the creation of an Outdoor Sensory Garden at their Cherry Street facility. This new outdoor space will build upon SESDAC’s existing indoor sensory room by offering therapeutic experiences in a natural, inclusive environment.

“The purpose of the SESDAC Sensory Garden is to create an inclusive, accessible space that fosters sensory engagement, community connection, and well-being for individuals of all abilities,” said Ionela Georgescu, Executive Director of SESDAC, Inc. “The measurable outcomes include increased social interaction, enhanced sensory experiences, and improved well-being for participants. The garden will also serve as a long-term sustainable resource, with community involvement in its creation.”

The project aligns with the Dakota Hospital Foundation’s mission to support innovative programs that enhance community health and wellness.

“The Dakota Hospital Foundation is pleased to present this grant to SESDAC for their Outdoor Sensory Garden,” said Lisa Ketcham, Vice President of the Dakota Hospital Foundation Board of Directors. “Their facility already features a remarkable indoor sensory room, and this outdoor addition will expand therapeutic opportunities for individuals of all abilities. This project exemplifies our mission to foster unique and innovative services, support community health and wellness initiatives, and enhance the quality of life for residents, patients, visitors, and staff.”

Construction of the Outdoor Sensory Garden is currently underway and will continue throughout the summer. The Dakota Hospital Foundation looks forward to seeing the progress and the positive impact this project will bring to the community.

Pictured left to right: (back row): Veronica Schmidt, Sanford Vermillion administrator/CEO; Nick Winkler SESDAC HR Director; Michael Smith, DHF board member; Joni Freidel, DHF board member; John Prescott, DHF board member (front row): Nicole Voss, SESDAC Director of Nursing; Ionela Georgescu, Executive Director at SESDAC, Inc.; Lisa Ketcham, DHF board member; Megan O’Neill, SESDAC Director of Services; Cindy Benzel, DHF Director.

Gayville-Volin Porchlight Project
“We look forward to having the outdoor classroom soon because it will bring residents of all ages together to recreate and learn in the outdoors,” Allison Larson, Gayville-Volin Porchlight Committee member.

“The Outdoor Classroom at Gayville-Volin School represents exactly the kind of initiative the Dakota Hospital Foundation is proud to support,” said Andy Howe, Board Member of the Dakota Hospital Foundation. “Projects like this align with our mission to enhance community health and wellness. By providing funding, we help ensure our donors’ contributions have a lasting and widespread impact.”

Pictured left to right: (back row): Veronica Schmidt, Sanford Vermillion Administrator/CEO; Kathy Jorgensen; Maia Achen; MacKenzie Logan; Aliza Westrum, Natalie Selchert; (second row): Lilly Hare, EJ Zaphier, Rebecca Loutch, Colton Wieger and Andy Howe, DHF board member. (front row): Cash Willman, Alison Larson, Vaydyn Bentley, Rodney Powers, Veronica Martin and Cindy Benzel, DHF Director.

Through the generosity of Larry and Sean Brady, this endowed scholarship will provide ongoing support to students pursuing their educational and career goals. The scholarship was created to help encourage and empower future leaders while continuing a tradition of community investment and service.

The Dakota Hospital Foundation is grateful for partnerships and gifts that strengthen opportunities for students and support our mission of community health and wellness. Endowed scholarships create a lasting impact by helping future generations achieve their goals for years to come.

Thank you to Brady Companies, Larry and Sean Brady for their generosity, leadership, and dedication to supporting education and the future of our region.

Submissions will further DHF’s community health mission. Projects must meet one of the following criteria:

• Foster and Enhance Clinical Innovation. Development of new and unique programs and services.
• Support Quality of Life. Enhance quality of life for our residents, patients, visitors and staff.
• Build Relationships. Enhance existing or develop new relationships which further support DHF’s mission.

We are pleased to report that over $23,400 was raised this year. Proceeds from this year’s event will specifically go towards equipment upgrades in the Sanford Vermillion infusion rooms. Your contribution, in memory of Sheri Ellis and Mary Merrigan has made an impact on many lives in our region. Thank you all so much for any and all support, time, talent and financial giving you provided. Please recognize the sponsors listed in the attachment.