Building up the Black Hills: Our community sponsorships in 2022

By community, community events, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As a member of the Rapid City community, we love being able to support organizations and event that make the Black Hills a better place to live for everyone. We’d encourage you to take a look at what we’re involved in, and learn more about how you can help! It takes everyone doing their part, and we’re proud to do what we can.

Fall

Love Inc.

Love Inc.’s annual fundraiser, the Hope & Love Dinner and Dessert Auction is Nov. 21. The faith-based organization help local families acquire things they need like linens, kitchen items and furniture. Like many organizations, they have noted the rising inflation costs and the effect it has on those already struggling. To support their organization or to learn more, visit www.loveinconline.com.

Box Elder Patriot Day Parade

This year’s Patriot Day parade in Box Elder was a blast! We joined Denny Menholt Toyota and Rapid Chevy in the parade, which included throwing candy to some very excited kids. It was a beautiful day for a community event, which also included food vendors, games, live music, and other family friendly activities, capping it all off with a fireworks display in the evening. Our GM’s lovely wife, Cindy, represented this year with two very special helpers: Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Batman. (Also known as Hobbs and Hollen.) We loved being part of it, and look forward to seeing you there next year!

Tom Pfeifle Memorial 5k Run/ Walk

This year’s event was Sept. 10 at Raider Park. Funds from the race go to developing Raider Park in Rapid City. Visit www.tompfeifle5k.org/ for more details or to support the park’s development.

Hope for the Hills Mediathon

LifeScape is a nonprofit that provides therapy and psychological services for children in the Black Hills. Their Sioux Falls base serves adults and children. The HomeSlice Hope for the Hills Mediathon is a day dedicated to sharing stories about children with disabilities who have been empowered to live fulfilling lives through LifeScape’s services. This year’s event raised $20,875! Proceeds from the event support LifeScape’s efforts with West River children.

The MIX 93.9 FM https://939themix.com/

Big 81 Ranch Radio 105.5 FM & 910 AM https://www.kbhbradio.com/

The Fox Real Rock 100.3 FM https://www.foxradio.com/

Hot 93.1 FM https://www.hot931.com/

KAT Radio 98.7 FM https://www.katradio.com/

The Cowboy 104.7 FM & 920 AM https://thecowboyradio.com/

Spring

Ellsworth Air Show

2022 saw the return of the Ellsworth Air Force Base Air Show on May 14-15. We helped provide transportation for the visiting performers, which included aerial acts and aircraft displays. It was a busy weekend, with cars backed up on Interstate 90 to participate, and we’re glad we could play a small part!

Autism Society of the Black Hills

This year’s Uniquely You 5K was April 30 at Old Storybook Island (2911 Canyon Lake Drive). The seventh annual event raised funds to support the Autism Society of the Black Hills and its summer programs. Visit https://autismsd.org/2022/02/7th-annual-uniquely-you-5k/ for more information.

YFS Kids Fair

The Youth and Family Services Kids Fair returned this year after two years of cancellations due to the pandemic. Held at The Monument, the weekend was packed with activities for elementary-aged kids and their families, including a sand box, Strider bikes, multiple bouncy houses, obstacle courses, live animals, and live music. We spent the weekend with our electric pedal cars for kids to drive around a small track (complete with an “EV charging station” made out of cardboard). It was a busy, fun weekend and we’re already planning for next year! For more information, visit www.youthandfamilyservices.org/kids-fair/. 

Shrine of Democracy Chorus

Who doesn’t love a good barbershop chorus? The Shrine of Democracy Chorus, which is the Mt. Rushmore chapter in the Rocky Mountain District of the Barbershop Harmony Society, returned to the stage this year with their spring concert. “Country Music – the Evolution,” in May at the Rapid City Performing Arts Center, featured Kim and the Classics and other local artists like Dynamix, the Black Hills Blend Quartet, Lame Johnny Creek and Mixed Nuts.

If you love supporting local musicians, don’t forget to look them up and see where they’ll be singing the rest of the year.

Club for Boys

The 28th annual Club for Boys Corporate Free Throw Challenge was March 22-25 at the Club for Boys Gymnasium. Our team this year was (pictured from left to right): General Manager Terry Hillman, Permaguard specialist Bethany Davis, Parts Consultant Taylor Knigge, Sales Consultant Casey Evans and Sales Consultant Nick Thurman. For more information, visit theclubforboys.org/corporate-free-throw/ Working Against Violence

The Working Against Violence Spirit of Peace Beach Social is March 26 at the Best Western Ramkota Conference Center. It is WAVI’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and includes an online auction that starts 7 p.m. March 18. Tickets are $85, and available on their website here. WAVI started in 1978, and provides food, emergency shelter and other services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Cornerstone Rescue Mission

This year’s Cornerstone Celebrates banquet was March 5. This annual banquet raises funds for Cornerstone Rescue Mission, which provides food, housing and Christian counseling for the homeless.

Summer

Paint the Rock Pink

The annual golf tournament raises funds for the Monument Health Cancer Care Institute Image Restoration Program. It is the largest all-woman tournament in South Dakota, and this year’s 14th annual event was Aug. 9 at the Golf Club at Red Rock.  This year they raised $33,800, which our friends with Monument told us is an all-time record! Thank you to all the businesses and individuals who helped make it a success. All contributions stay local and help buy wigs, hats, scarves, camisoles and other reconstruction items. We always enjoy being part of this fun event, and seeing the creative ways ladies decorate their carts. You can read more about it here.

Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana

We are annual supporters of Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana. Over the last year, our gifts have helped grant 81 life-changing wishes to kids with critical illnesses during our fiscal year 2022. In June, we were able to be part of the wish reveal for a local teenager, Jakoby. You can read more about that here.

Colton Derr Foundation

The eighth annual Knights of Columbus Charity Golf Tournament to support the Colton Derr Foundation is July 17 at Prairie Ridge Golf Tournament. Tickets are $75 per person and available online at www.sergeantderrfoundation.org/. For corporate sponsorship opportunities, contact the Knights of Columbus at kc8025golftournament@gmail.com. The Colton Derr Foundation is a veteran advocacy organization that helps soldiers transition back into civilian life, and is especially working to reduce the number of military and veteran suicides.

Tees for Keys

Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity’s golf tournament fundraiser, Tees for Keys, was June 2 at The Golf Club at Red Rock. The annual event raises funds for homeownership and home repair projects in the Rapid City area. This year’s raised $45,000! Thank you to everyone who participated, and don’t forget to visit www.blackhillshabitat.org/ to learn more and support affordable homeownership in the Black Hills.

Rapid City Does Drove charity golf tournament

 

Speaking of golf, the Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES Drove #33 hosts a charity golf tournament each year to raise money for Rapid City-area charities. This year marked the 30th annual event, and raised $5,900 to help local organizations and families in need. The DOES are a sister organization to the Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks.

Black Hills Playhouse

If you haven’t been to the Black Hills Playhouse, we highly recommend it. Nestled in Custer State Park, you get to enjoy nature and support local theater. This summer’s season included the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Cinderella,” Neil Simon’s classic comedy “The Odd Couple,” “Something Rotten,” and “The Mountaintop.” They also hosted the Black Hills Players Jr. summer camp, giving youth connections with experienced theater artists and educators. Visit their website at www.blackhillsplayhouse.com/ to see what they’re working on next!

Winter

Vitalant Community Heroes Blood Drive

The Community Heroes blood drive is held every January to boost post-holiday blood donations, when they typically drop off. The annual event seeks to celebrate blood donors as everyday heroes. This year’s drive collected 154 units of blood over two days at Rushmore Mall, which is especially wonderful since COVID numbers were still high and keeping many people from venturing out. There is still a nationwide shortage of blood units, and donations are still needed. Our friends at Vitalant said even if someone has never given blood before, it’s never too late to start. Most people can donate, but only 3 percent of them do. Why? Vitalant said people’s top reason for not donating is that they are never asked. So, consider this our friendly neighborhood ask – if you’re able, go donate! You can look for times and sign up at donors.vitalant.org.

We also support …

Can’t get enough community involvement? Here are some more publications/organizations we think you should check out:

We update throughout the year, so check back often! If you’d like to apply for a sponsorship, visit www.menholtauto.com/sponsorships.