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Community Events & Activities

May is Foster Parent Appreciation and Awareness Month in South Dakota and residents are encouraged to volunteer their talents and generous spirits on behalf of children in foster care, foster parents, and the professional staff committed to working with them during this month and throughout the year.

There are many events and activities being held throughout May in South Dakota. Please see the listing below or check your area's community calendar for more information.

You can also contact your local DSS Office to find out how you can get involved.

ABERDEEN

• What: Skating Party
  
  • When: Thursday, May 1, 6-8 p.m. CDT
    
  • Where: Skate Away, 721 Circle Drive
    
  • Contact: Stacey Nelson at 1-866-239-8855
    
• Foster parents, kinship providers, Department staff and Exchange Club Advocates are encouraged to attend!
• Besides skating, there will be karaoke and a potluck!
• Chicken and the skating fee for the children are being provided by the Aberdeen Area Exchange Club. Parents skate for free.
• For those who received an invitation, please refer to that for more information.

BROOKINGS

• What: Foster and Adoptive Parent Appreciation Dinner
  
  • When: Thursday, June 19 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. CDT
    
  • Where: Hillcrest Park, Shelter A located off of Hwy 14 across from McDonald's. Parking is located behind Hillcrest Elementary School.
    
  • Contact: Deb Riley at 605-688-4330 ext. 213 or Sara Moser at 605-688-4330 ext. 216. RSVP is required by June 9. Please include family name and number of children and adults attending.
    
  • In case of bad weather, the picnic will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1010 8th Street South, in Brookings.

EAGLE BUTTE

• What: Walk Me Home
  
  • When: Saturday, May 3 - Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. MDT and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. MDT
    
  • Where: The walk will start at the Child Welfare Center
    
  • Contact: Stephanie Good Bear, Sacred Heart Center at 605-964-6062
    
  • The public is invited to join in on the walk to celebrate foster families and promote the need for more foster care homes.   
• Anyone can attend.
• No fees to participate, however, to receive some of the promotional items like a t-shirt, the minimum sponsorship would be $30.00. 

HURON

• What: Foster Parent Appreciation Night Event
  
  • When: Sunday, May 18: social time from 6-6:30 p.m., meail at 6:30 p.m., entertainment at 7 p.m. (all times CDT)
    
  • Where: Huron Elks (side door, south entrance)
    
  • Contact: Jackie Friesen at 605-353-7100 ext. 221. If you plan on attending, please RSVP by May 14.

PIERRE

• What: Pierre Area Foster Care Walk
  
  • When: Saturday, May 3 - 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. CDT
    
  • Where: Hollister Field
    
  • Contact: Kesiah Frederick, President of the Pierre Area Foster and Adoptive Parent Association at 605-224-0912  
  • The public is invited to join in on the walk to celebrate foster families and promote the need for more foster care homes.  
  • Anyone can attend.
• No fees to participate. 

RAPID CITY

• What: Foster Parent Appreciation Event
  
  • When: TBD
    
  • Where: Crazy Horse Memorial
    
  • Contact: Jennifer Eaton at 605-343-2811
  • Cutural activities, crafts and tours of the Crazy Horse Facility will be available.
• Other Activites Taking Place Include:
  
  
  • Foster Care Month Flyers will be affixed to all pizza takeout and delivery boxes used by the local Italian restaurant, Paissano's Paccia. The restaurant will also display posters, table tents and brochures throughout the month to promote foster care.
  • The Rapid City Public Library will have information available to the public on foster care and adoption.
  • Foster Care blue ribbons will be distributed to the Rapid City Foster Parent Association and to other local businesses.

SIOUX FALLS

• What: Informational Foster Care Display
  
  • When: May 1 - May 31
    
  • Where: The Empire Mall
    
• During the month of May informational pieces pertinent to National Foster Care Month will be displayed, honoring the children and those who serve them as well as the ongoing need for foster families.
• What: Church Outreach
  
  • When: May 1 - May 31
    
  • Where: Churches in and around Sioux Falls
• Other Activites Taking Place Include:
  
  
  • Foster Care blue pins and ribbons will be distributed to local foster families through the monthly bulletin mailing. The pins and ribbons will also be distributed to churches with the information packets.
  • Outreach with local media.
  • Distribution of foster care awareness posters in and around the community.

STURGIS

• What: Northern Hills Foster Parent Appreciation Event
  
  • When: May 15 from 6-8 p.m. MDT
    
  • Where: Sturgis Community Center
    
  • Contact: Jennifer Eaton at 605-343-2811
  • Dinner, awards, guest speaker, door prizes and swimming will all be a part of this event!

WATERTOWN

• What: Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner
  
  • When: Thursday, May 15, social begins at 6:30 p.m. CDT
    
  • Where: 2nd Street Station, 15 2nd Street SW
    
  • Contact: Jenna Polchow at 605-882-5000
    
• All current foster parents are invited to attend the dinner.
• The local Child Protection Team will cover the cost of the meal.