Put a Little Love in your Heart...
The theme that we chose for Month of Caring this year is ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart’ by Jackie DeShannon.
Month of Caring is all about lending a helping hand, and putting a little love in your heart.
Throughout the month, hundreds of volunteers throughout the Black Hills demonstrated what it means to lend a helping hand.
From food collection and distribution drives, to helping neighbors spruce up their lawns, cleaning up community garden beds; chances are you probably saw a green shirt in your community.
Spearfish School District employees held a food supplies donation collection drive.
"(We) had a competition between staff members of the schools within the district to see which school staff could collect the most food for the Spearfish Food Pantry. They collected 752 pounds of food (1,100) items and $248. Spearfish Middle School was the winner with 477 food items. The superintendent, Kirk Easton, is treating the winning staff to caramel rolls and coffee..." said Becky Sukstorf, 6th ELA at Spearfish Middle School.
Meanwhile, approximately 100 miles south, Monument Health Custer volunteers were helping distribute food boxes through the Feeding SD food truck. Lori Burnham, Month of Caring volunteer coordinator and Southern Hills cabinet member, expressed her joy of participating in Month of Caring.
"I have participated in Day/Month of Caring since we started it in the Southern Hills!! I think it is important to give back and volunteer because we need each other. We are better together and helping each other out makes each other’s load a little lighter and our outlook a little brighter," said Lori.
First Interstate Bank employees helped all throughout the Black Hills, participating at food distribution sites, helping clean at Club for Boys and helping a local homeowner in Spearfish.
Barb Reimer, First Interstate Bank Sturgis Branch, helped organize food donations at the Sturgis Kiwanis food pantry as one of their volunteer projects.
"Month of caring is such a great event to be a part of. It is so rewarding to know you are truly helping others. The people on the receiving end are always so kind and so grateful for all the help in their various projects. The teamwork of my fellow employees is always fun and a bonding experience," says Reimer.
Although Month of Caring comes to a close, there are still ways to get involved and give back to your community.
Donate
Make a donation to United Way of the Black Hills. Your donation will help a variety of needs in your community. Organizations that we support are providing great resources like mental health services, food, affordable housing, affordable childcare, that depend on United Way of the Black Hills funding.
You can donate by visiting www.unitedwayblackhills.org/donate.
100% of your donation stays here in the Black Hills.
