The Dakota Hospital Foundation recently awarded a total of $18,750 in grants to five recipients.

• The grants were presented to:
• St. Agnes Catholic School — $5,000
• 4H Clay County Flyers — $2,750
• Vermillion Area Farmers Market — $5,000
• Vermillion Public Schools Foundation - $5,000
• Vermillion Sculpture Walk/Missouri Valley Growth — $1,000

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St. Agnes Catholic School — $5,000

“Dakota Hospital Foundation (DHF) has awarded St. Agnes Catholic School $5,000 to be put toward its gymnasium remodel. The gym is in need of updated flooring, ceiling, efficient lighting, and hanging basketball hoops. Remodeling of this gym will not only provide a safe space for St. Agnes students to use daily in their PE classes, but it will also provide the community another practice or tournament space for youth basketball,” said Kelly Herbster, Dakota Hospital Foundation (DHF) board member said.

Amy Pohlson, St. Agnes principal added, “Community support for our upcoming gym renovations is invaluable, and we are beyond grateful for the generous donation from Dakota Hospital Foundation. It is our hope that our gym space at St. Agnes Catholic School continues to be of value and an asset to our community, and without the support of the foundation, our renovation would not be possible”.

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Vermillion Area Farmers Market — $5,000

“The Dakota Hospital Foundation is very honored to provide support to the Vermillion Area Farmer’s Market (VAFM) in their innovative grant application supporting the quality of life and health and wellness of the residents of Clay County,” said Lana Svien, DHF board member.

“The Farmer’s Market is excited for the opportunity to partner with the Community Garden, Food Pantry and 4H kids to bring local, seasonal food onto the Welcome Table. Everyone in the community will be able to experience the deliciousness of simple recipes made with food they can grow right here in southeast South Dakota,” said Grace Freeman, organic farmer and VAFM board member.

“I’m excited for this opportunity to share my skills and support sustainability, education, and good food! The only thing better than cooking is sharing with others and it’s a privilege to share this experience with my community,” said Gretchen Zechariah, local chef.

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Vermillion Sculpture Walk/Missouri Valley Growth — $1,000

“Dakota Hospital Foundation seeks opportunities to invest in quality-of-life projects that make a difference for all of us. The work of Vermillion Sculpture Walk to bring the sculptures to the community is a great community project and one that DHF was glad to support. The sculptures are great community assets that are enjoyed every day by residents and visitors,” said John Prescott, DHF board member.

“Vermillion Sculpture Walk is deeply grateful for the support of the Dakota Hospital Foundation in partnership with Sanford Vermillion. We thank the Board of Directors and appreciate the opportunity to work with them to improve the quality of life of those living in our community,” said Bruce Kelley, Vermillion Sculpture Walk Committee member. “The Vermillion Sculpture Walk enhances the ambiance of downtown Vermillion through the placement of five sculptures stretching from the Edith Siegrist Library to the Platz. The Dakota Hospital Foundation Grant provides a critical portion of the funding that enables this project to continue. The board of the Vermillion Sculpture Walk thanks the Dakota Hospital Foundation, Sanford Vermillion, the City of Vermillion, the Vermillion Area Community Foundation, and our many individual contributors for their support.”

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Vermillion Public Schools Foundation — $5,000

“On behalf of the Dakota Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, it was a privilege to be able to present a $5,000 grant award to the Vermillion Public Schools Foundation for their Angel Fund,” said Lisa Ketcham, DHF board member. “The Angel Fund helps to ensure that our kids’ basic needs are met including hot nutritious lunches and hygiene supplies. It can be an amazing thing when two great organizations and great people come together to make a positive impact in the lives of others in our community. I feel very fortunate to be able to be a part of those efforts and would encourage others to get involved to help those around us who may need some extra support at times.”

“The Vermillion Public Schools Foundation (VPSF) is very grateful to receive a grant from the Dakota Hospital Foundation (DHF). The DHF Grant will assist in the funding of two new Angel Fund programs that have been identified as our students’ greatest basic necessities not being met by current programs. The Tanager Meal Assistance program will provide school meal funding for those families just above the poverty line who do not qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Meal program,” said Mary Giffen, Vermillion Public Schools Foundation board member. “The Hygiene Corner program will have body and hair hygiene products available for distribution to students in need. Also, a portion of the DHF grant will be used to fund basic hygiene products to be distributed to our fifth grade students when puberty is discussed. Thank you, Dakota Hospital Foundation, for providing this grant to get these two new Angel Fund programs started!”

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4-H Clay County Flyers — $2,750

“DHF is proud to support the 4-H Flyers with a donation of $2,750 to help them expand and upgrade their archery activity. The Flyers leadership, working with kids to learn a new activity, allowing them to interact with others and teaching them to be good stewards of their community is what makes this a good partnership,” said Paul Preister, DHF board member and 4-H Flyer archery coach.

“We want to thank DHF for the support of the 4-H Archery program in Vermillion. Their support will help the 4H Flyer’s expand and improve the archery program, which includes teaching kids about safety, public speaking, and the importance of helping others with service projects,” said Brad and Patty Waage, 4-H Clay County Flyer leaders.

Dakota Hospital Foundation held its spring open grant period from April 1-30, 2022. The next open grant period for DHF will be Oct. 1-31, 2022. Learn more at www.dakotahospitalfoundation.org.

Since its beginning in 1930, Dakota Hospital Foundation has fulfilled a mission dedicated to community health and wellness. The health care ‘pioneers’ who established Dakota Hospital Foundation (DHF) also nurtured a tradition of community health service leadership represented by today’s Foundation members.