Lions Club member perform many community service projects during the year (photo/provided).
Riva Sharples | Editor
In many ways, the engines of small towns are volunteers.
This week, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which focuses on community service and improvement in the spirit of Dr. King, The Republic newspaper is taking a look at some of the organizations and nonprofits that make our communities great places to live.
This list is by no means exhaustive. In fact, you will notice that some important organizations are missing: The Beresford, Alcester, and Hudson Fire and Rescue Services and First Responders are not included here because these crucial organizations are focused on in this newspaper in May and October. Thus, the focus of this spotlight is other organizations and volunteers that fuel our communities.
Of course, there are still many that are missing from this list: Beresford Area Arts, the Athletic Booster Club, the Beresford Lions, the American Legions in all three communities, and more. You see, the thing about volunteers is that they are busy, so not everyone was able to submit information by the deadline to be included in this spotlight. However, The Republic newspaper hopes to make this an annual feature each January and will include them in the next spotlight.
For now, let’s take a minute to thank the many volunteers that make our communities great, whether they appear here or not.
Alcester Lions Club
The Alcester Lions Club’s mission mirrors that of Lions Clubs International: serving a world in need, one act of kindness at a time. Lions is the largest service organization in the world with nearly 1.4 million volunteers serving their communities and the needs of people throughout the world. Lions focus on global causes such as childhood cancer, diabetes, disaster relief, the environment, humanitarian needs, hunger, vision, and youth.
Every Lions club also serves whatever needs are present in their local community. The Alcester Lions club has members from every age group, demographic, and career background. Several of our members are sponsored by local businesses. It is a close knit group of like minded volunteers who just want to make a difference in the lives of others.
The Alcester Lions Club was chartered in 1956, sponsored by the Beresford Lions Club. The group has 37 members and is always looking to add more.
“The more volunteers we have, the more service projects we can do to help people and causes,” said Leeann Haisch.
Lions projects include food pantry contributions, donating trees to all 4th graders, sponsoring the local Lions Peace Poster Contest, meals on wheels, financially supporting Leader Dogs for the Blind, sponsoring a $1,500 scholarship for a senior, contributing to and volunteering at our Alcester-Hudson Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Meal, donating to the South Dakota Lions Club Foundation and Kid Sight Program, assisting with the AH Angel fund, supporting the AH library and teacher classroom needs, park revitalization, working AH concession stands, providing delicious food from the Lions Den at the Union County Fair, serving pancakes in the spring, and doing vision screening at daycares.
“We also support various projects and needs brought to the club by organizations and individuals,” said Haisch. “The support for all these projects comes only from generous contributions by local community members and businesses.”
Club president is Tiffany Miller; Secretary – John Wegh; and Treasurer – Paul Haisch.
“The Alcester Lions Club invites anyone interested in making a difference to join our club,” said Haisch. “Ask a member of the club about meeting details and membership.”
Alcester Pink Ladies
The mission of the Alcester Pink Ladies is to support individuals and families in the local communities who are facing cancer.
“Through fundraising, outreach, and community involvement, the Pink Ladies provide both financial assistance and emotional support to those affected by cancer no matter the age or type of cancer,” said Kristi Vos. “Each recipient receives a painted prayer blanket made by local artist Jessy Paulson along with a $250 donation as a reminder that they are not facing their journey alone. All donations stay local, helping individuals in Alcester, Beresford, Hawarden and surrounding towns, or family members of Pink Ladies members.”
The Alcester Chapter of the Pink Ladies was started in 2019. Current President is Krist Vos. Secretary is Hillary Terpstra, and Treasurer is Ashley Overhulser. The group currently has about ten members, and more are always welcome.
“Anyone interested in getting involved with the Alcester Pink Ladies is welcome to join,” said Vos. “New and current members meet throughout the year to plan events, make decisions, and support the mission of the organization. Individuals can participate by attending meetings, joining the dart leagues, volunteering at events, or helping with fundraisers. Community involvement and a desire to support others are all that’s needed to get started. We are a small but mighty group and would absolutely love to have people join our group!”
Annual projects of the group include an annual Soup and BINGO Luncheon (coming in February), dart leagues held at the Beresford Bertz Beer Garden about two-three times per year, and various community fundraisers such as Flamingo Flocking. The group has also participated in the Homecoming Parade with a float and regularly helps with other community events as opportunities arise. Funds raised through these efforts go directly back into the community to support local individuals fighting cancer and their families.
Alcester Senior Citizens
The Alcester Senior Citizens were organized in 1972. At first, they met in the basement of the city auditorium. Pastor Ahart of Peace Lutheran Church led the group to move to their present building soon after they began getting together. They received a Certificate of Incorporation in 1977.
The center is a place for senior citizens to get together for fellowship and connecting with others. They are open for activities, such as playing cards or other games, working on puzzles and enjoying a lunch together. They are open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons from about 2:00 p.m. until whenever. They would love to have more senior citizens join them on those days! Come on in and get acquainted!
Senior Center officers include: Sally Vreugdenhil, President, Sandy Carlson, Secetary., and Dave Carlson, Treasurer.
The Senior Meal Program is run through Active Generations in Sioux Falls. Alcester Care and Rehab Center prepares the food and delivers it to the Senior Center where we dish the food for home delivery and for folks who come in to eat.
There is a group of six volunteers that take turns helping get everything ready. There are seven organizations in town that take a week at a time to deliver meals around town. They serve about 60 meals each week. Anyone interested in getting meals delivered or would like to come in to eat, please contact Karen Nelson at 605-934-2557 or 605-659-0738. People pay what they can, but cost is $10 each. The only requirement is to be age 60 or older. We welcome more volunteers as well.
Alcester VFW Post & Auxiliary
The Veterans of Foreign Wars post at Alcester was formed in 1946 and has been active in the town ever since. At one time, it had close to over 150 members but now has about 40. The post used to have a home where the Senior Citizens building is now. They purchased the movie theater when it closed and leveled the floor. The VFW hall closed when it got hard to find volunteers to work at it.
One of the things current members do is to provide funeral services for veterans with a firing squad and bugle for Taps. The post has a fundraiser every year to raise money for projects like Christmas giveaways, prizes for contests at school and donations for some people with illness.
One project that the Alcester VFW Post is proud of is the memorial in the City Park honoring all those who served in the military from the area.
“We have records of over 200 people who served and there are many more,” said VFW Commander D. Fickbohm. “An ongoing project is to fly service flags year-round. The cost depends on the wind as far as replacement goes.”
The VFW Post Auxiliary used to be made up of just females but now accepts males too. The group has projects in the community to help people. They have bake sales and sell Buddy Poppys. During the VFW fundraiser, they sell lunch to raise money.
Beresford Area Foundation
Founded in 1999, the Beresford Area Foundation, an agent of the South Dakota Community Foundation, gives back to Beresford through numerous grants through the year. The Beresford Area Foundation was created as a not-for-profit tax-exempt organization associated with the South Dakota Community Foundation to serve as a vehicle to create a community savings account to promote the commonwealth of the greater Beresford community. The Foundation’s mission is to create a means to invest the legacy from our past to build a bridge to the future. Since inception, the Beresford Area Foundation has given back over $391,000 to the community. The Beresford Area Foundation includes: Meg Andersen, Dustin Degen, Shawn Giedd, Kay Grosvenor, Chris Hart, Zach Jensen, Michael J. McGill, Jane Norling, and Brian Peterson.
Beresford Community Food Cupboard & Services
The Beresford Community Food Cupboard and Services was established in 2017 to serve individuals and families in the Beresford community.
“We are mainly a food bank but have many services such as health aids — crutches, walkers, canes, etc,” said volunteer Joanne Paulsen. “We also have some clothing and bedding when available. Our mission is to HELP those who need a hand up! We are non-profit and totally volunteer- based.”
The cupboard, located at the Beresford Senior Center, is open Monday through Friday 1 -5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 – 11 a.m. The Board is comprised of President Faith Kinkner, Vice-President Darla Jacob, Secretary Nancy Ryger, Treasurer Joanne Paulsen and Margie Marshall.
Beresford Community Thanksgiving Dinner
This free community meal is served on Thanksgiving Day from 11 to 1pm.
The Beresford Community Thanksgiving program was rejuvenated two years ago after being on hold for five years. But, prior to that, the Thanksgiving meal had been going for many years. The mission of the program is to give a Thanksgiving meal to those who aren’t able to share the time with family and friends.
“Faith and Fellowship is our mission,” said volunteer Joanne Paulsen.
Board members for the program include Joanne Paulsen, Dave and Marsha Nelson, Darla Jacob, Brad and Glenda Johnson, and Chris and Carla Lawrenson, along with many volunteers from the community.
The Beresford Thanksgiving Committee gives back to other charitable organizations as well. The committee gave a gift to the Girl Scouts for their help at the meal. The committee donated to Helping Hands Fund to help with lunches at school. The Senior Citizen received a donation in thanks for their help with the meal.
Cubs Closet Thrift Store
The Cubs Closet Thrift Store is located at 500 Dakota Street in Alcester in the old high school building. The closet is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 – 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon. Donations from surrounding communities are received in a shed in the parking lot.
“I would estimate that our donations have increased three-fold in the last five years,” said Pastor Scott Conner of the Ministerial Association, which oversees the store. “This is due in part to the clean, organized, and fairly priced items in our store. We have been told by many customers that we are one of the nicest thrift stores around. Once a week during the school year, the sixth grade class comes to help us bring in the items from the shed. Their help is very much appreciated.”
Cubs Closet serves Alcester as well as many other towns.
“It is not unusual to see Iowa and Minnesota license plates in the parking lot,” said Conner. “We try to be good stewards of our donations. Most donations are put in the store and if they do not sell within a set time, we have a number of charitable outlets where we donate them.”
About 25 faithful volunteers staff the store during open hours and sort and price the many donations that are received. Each year, money raised through Cubs Closet is donated to various efforts. Last year, $16,000 was distributed among the organizations, including the Alcester Food Pantry, Alcester Fire Department and Ambulance, the nursing home activity funds in Alcester and Hudson, the Angel Fund at school and many more.
Santa & Mrs. C’s Kids
Santa & Mrs. C’s Kids is dedicated to bringing the magic of Christmas to children in need in the Alcester area. Through fundraisers, gift drives, and the goodwill of our communities, the organization create joyous, memorable Christmas experiences for families.
Says Lisa Hodgson, one of the board members: “Through a collective effort of generosity and dedication, we support those in need by supplying thoughtful and quality gifts each Christmas, fostering a sense of spirit, and creating lifelong memories.”
Santa & Mrs. C.’s Kids was found in July of 2024. Board members include: Dave & Lisa Hodgson, Darla Reppe, Hannah Swanson, Jessy Paulson, Kurt & Carla Winquist, Beth Gustner, and Hillary Terpstra.
Those wanting to get involved with the organization can email santa@santamrscskids.org, submit a contact request on the website www.santamrscskids.org, or visit the facebook page Santa & Mrs. C.’s Kids