Raider Park
The Gayville Raider Park Project would like to take this opportunity to express appreciation to Dakota Hospital Foundation (DHF) for the generous donation to our project. Our mission is to enhance health and wellness throughout the region and these donations will assist with that goal. Four thousand dollars ($4,000) of the DHF donation will be allocated to the wellness area(s) in the park. The project began with enhancements to the softball field after that sport was sanctioned by HSAA in the 2022-2023 academic year. A concession stand with an announcer’s booth was added, as well as with concrete bases for bleachers, etc. Gayville-Volin school (GVS) is proud that the softball team earned a trip to the first ever high school state tournament in 2023.
A baseball field was built north of the school grounds with a large arboretum of trees to enhance the area. Landscaping will increase the aesthetic appeal of this area, also. A large multi-use concrete path is planned for walking, as well as use for wheelchairs, walkers, etc. As the softball field also served as a practice football field, the school created a practice field for football east of the baseball field.
The plans for this park project also include several wellness areas such as an outdoor classroom (with a large awning-type cover), an outdoor exercise equipment area, and an outdoor music classroom area. Area residents, as well as GVS students, are anxious for opportunities to use these facilities.
This donation certainly helps with our project. Generous donations from agencies interested in health and well-being enhance the Gayville-Volin community as well as its residents,” stated Kathy Jorgensen, Raider Park committee member.
“The Dakota Hospital Foundation is gratified to support the innovative enhancements to the Raider Park Project with support towards the outdoor wellness area for the Gayville community. Expansion and improvement of outdoor wellness areas provides broader access for the people in our area and enhances quality of life. Projects like these exemplify the commitment that our community has for the betterment of health and wellness," Tom Overby, DHF board member.
Pictured left to right:
Jeremiah Dibley, Raider Park committee member, Will Pirak, GV student, Philip Dibley, GV student, Hunter Krueger, GV student, Carter Barron, GV student, Kayden Bye, GV student, Nate Larson, GV student, Isaac Krueger, GV student, Alison Brown, Raider Park committee member, Lisa Ketcham, DHF board member, Katherine Price, DHF vice president, Kelly Herbster, DHF board member, Dr. Damon Alvey, DHF board member, Julie Heine, DHF board member, Tom Overby, DHF board member, Kathy Jorgensen, Raider Park committee member, Andy Howe, DHF president, Cindy Benzel DHF director/Sanford Vermillion ancillary director
Greg Pirak Memorial Arboretum and Disc Golf
“On behalf of the Gayville-Volin School and Gayville’s Boyscout Troop 180, we want to thank the Dakota Hospital Foundation for their generous donations to the Raider Park project, specifically the arboretum and disc golf piece. Through their generosity, the students and community members of Gayville and Volin will enjoy many educational and recreational activities for years to come. We are grateful for your acknowledgement of our pursuit of health and wellness,” Jeremiah Dibley, Raider Park committee member.
"Dakota Hospital Foundation is excited to award money to Gayville-Volin Schools and their Raider Park project, specifically the memorial arboretum and disc golf, as it will be used by many people of all ages. It's always exciting for our grant committee to find submissions that fit our health and wellness mission for serving Vermillion and its surrounding community,” Kelly Herbster, DHF board member.
Pictured left to right:
Hunter Krueger, GV student, Isaac Krueger, GV student, Nate Larson, GV student, Kayden Bye, GV student, Jeremiah Dibley, Raider Park committee member, Carter Barron, GV student/Eagle Scout Troop 180 candidate, Philip Dibley, GV student, Will Pirak, GV student/Eagle Scout Troop 180 candidate, Alison Brown, Raider Park committee member, Lisa Ketcham, DHF board member, Kelly Herbster, DHF board member, Katherine Price, DHF vice president, Julie Heine, DHF board member, Dr. Damon Alvey, DHF board member, Kathy Jorgensen, Raider Park committee member, Tom Overby, DHF board member, Jill Christopherson, DHF/Sanford Vermillion executive assistant, Andy Howe, DHF president
Vermillion Public Schools Foundation
“The Vermillion Public Schools Foundation (VPSF) is very grateful for the grant from the Dakota Hospital Foundation. This grant will be used for the Accessible Playground project at the new Elementary School. The VPSF is raising funds to ensure the playground is accessible for all students and caregivers. Through this gift, accessible playground equipment will be available at the start of the 2024 – 2025 school year,” Dan Mourlam, VPSF president.
“The Dakota Hospital Foundation is delighted to contribute to the purchase of playground equipment for children of all abilities. Imagine the delight of a child with a disability who can now enjoy swings, slides or merry-go-rounds that are now accessible,” Lana Svien, DHF board member.
Pictured left to right: back row: Tim Schorn, VPSF vice president, Katharina Wymar, VPSF past president, Chuck Lubbers, VSPF board member, Joni Freidel, DHF board member, Joanne Ustad, VSPF secretary, Cindy Benzel DHF director/Sanford Vermillion (SV) ancillary director, Andy Howe, DHF president, Kelly Herbster, DHF board member, John Prescott, DHF past president, Andy Schulz, VPSF treasurer, front row: Jill Christopherson, DHF/SV executive assistant, Lisa Ketcham, DHF board member, Veronica Schmidt, SV senior director, Mary Giffin, VPSF executive director, Dr. Damon Alvey, DHF board member, Dan Mourlam, VPSF president, Lana Svien, DHF board member