ADetourtoaDream - Children's Home Society

BHCH = Black Hills Children’s HomeSFCH = Sioux Falls Children’s Home“Give us this daySince 1893, grassroots support for Children’s Home Society has been the constantsupply for “our daily bread”. We are so grateful for friends—all across the state andbeyond—who find special ways to support the CHS mission. We would like to share thestory of some of the “loaves” that have been given…For many years, XANTERRA PARKS & RESORTS, and the EMPLOYEES of theNATIONAL PARK SERVICE at Mount Rushmore have joined together to provide thegourmet meal, refreshments, and dinner service for the MOUNT RUSHMOREWINTER GALA, a fundraiser for CHS coordinated by THE RUSHMORE ROTARYCLUB. This year’s event was held on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th.Guests at this sold-out event enjoyed an evening of gourmet cuisine, Irish music,a live auction of sculptures, a “Heads & Tails” game (photo left), and a slide show ofThe Kids’ Gala (keep reading!).This event raised $21,128 for the Child Advocacy Center of the Black Hills!What was“The Kids’ Gala”?This year, onemonth before theMount RushmoreWinter Gala, Xanterra and the Park Service employees went “above and beyond”and hosted a “Kids Gala”—a similar special event for Black Hills Children’s Homekids. As the kids & staff marched up the Avenue of Flags that frames a first look atMount Rushmore, they were welcomed by a double line of greeters formed by theirhosts. They enjoyed several unique experiences, created just for them—meeting theK-9 drug dog, theHarley patrolmotorbikes, andmuch more!As the kids & stafffeasted on chicken strips, gourmet mac & cheese, JELL-O jigglers, a veggiemedley, and cheesecake, they witnessed a surprise performance by THE BIGWIGS—a five-man rock ‘n roll band that—in spite of some gravity-defying wigsand a wardrobe on loan from Rod Stewart’s bottom drawer—looked remarkablylike some of the leadership staff at Black Hills Children’s Home! (Can you pickthem out?!?) THE BIG WIGS brought the house down as they sang their one andonly song—“Put the Lime in the Coconut”—which they had been secretlyrehearsing for this special occasion.A big thanks to XANTERRA PARKS & RESORTS and THE NATIONAL PARKSERVICE for giving BHCH kids an experience they will never forget!Julie“CreateAthon” was a 24-hour national blitz during which participating adagencies and creative marketing services would partner with a local non-profitorganization to provide a pro bono service for that non-profit.The watchful eye of a CHS Recruitment Specialist noticed this promotion andquickly responded with an application for the CHS Therapeutic Foster CareProgram. The recruitment of foster parents is an on-going challenge,and CHS was hopeful for assistance in producing marketingmaterials that would aid this effort.The ZING IDEA FACTORY, one of the participating agencies inthe Sioux Falls area, selected the CHS application! ZING ownersJULIE FLANNERY and SARAH LAVIN met with CHS staff andcreated an eye-catching, informative, and engaging mini-bookletthat can be used in the recruitment of foster families.As an added bonus, ZING also helped produce a video formatcompanion piece to the booklet, that is a more appropriate (not tomention cost effective!) alternative form of the same message forlarger audiences.Sarah8