On Tuesday, March 15, the South Dakota Prairie Rose Community Fund presented their 2022 community fund awards, totaling $32,500. The fund also granted six Garretson High School students with $1,000 scholarships.
The grants are awarded to those 501(c)3 organizations that are looking to make improvements in the lives of nearby communities, such as health and wellness, education, arts and cultural activities, and more.
The South Dakota Prairie Rose Community Fund has been in existence since 2014 and has granted a total of $362,004 in community enhancement grants/scholarships in the Townships of Logan, Highland, Edison and Brandon. Funding is provided by Prairie Rose Wind LLC, owner of Prairie Rose Wind Farm and subsidiary of Enel Green Power North America.
This year, Garretson organizations that received grant funding were the Garretson Ambulance, the Garretson Fire Department, the Garretson Public School, Garretson Childcare Corporation, Blue Dragon Foundation, and Grow Garretson.
“It is truly a joy for the Board to provide these funds to our communities for education, community enhancement and safety,” said Board President Steven Munk.
Munk encouraged those receiving their awards on Tuesday to express how the Fund has helped their organization in the past.
The Prairie Rose grant fund has been a key supporter of Blue Dragon Academy, awarding funds to help with the building, storm shelter, and playground. They were also a supporter of Grow Garretson’s Park committee, awarding funds in 2021 that helped the playground shade structure to be built in Split Rock Park. They've helped in the past with the ambulance's power loader, which allows them to place gurneys into the back of the ambulance more easily, and for the fire department, the fund has helped with grassland fire gear and a rescue dummy for practice sessions. The fund has helped the Garretson School PTO place benches, picnic tables, and trash cans around the school.
The Prairie Rose Board is comprised of President Steven Munk, Vice President Steve Howe, Secretary Angela Bly, Treasurer Wayne Liester, Tom Elverson, Tom Brown, John Richard Weir, Dale Zweep, and Mike Siemonsma.
2022 Community Grant Recipients are:
Dell Rapids Public Schools, $1500 granted towards the purchase of needed chairs, 6- and 8-foot tables, and a chair dolly
Dell Rapids Fire Department, $5000 granted towards the purchase of a 2021 Kawasaki Mule ATV to help address grass fire situations
Brandon Township, $1200 granted towards the purchase of a compressor and related tools
Brandon Valley Band Parents, $1000 granted towards the purchase of a new drum major podium for the marching band
Garretson Ambulance, $3000 granted towards the purchase of one radio package which is one of ten sets required prior to 2023
Garretson Fire Department, $2500 granted towards the purchase of a protective bunker gear fire suit
Garretson Public School, $3000 granted towards the purchase of playground equipment for school and community use
Garretson Childcare Corporation, $7300 granted towards the funding of construction for a large expansion to the childcare center
Blue Dragon Foundation, $5000 granted towards the replacement cost of the baseball field’s irrigation system
Grow Garretson, $3000 granted towards the purchase of playground equipment for ages 1-3 at Split Rock Park and the Jaycee Complex
The following individuals each will receive a $1000 scholarship that will be used for the 2023 spring semester: Lauren Fick, Amber Hulscher, Jaelyn Benson, Morgan Pierret, Samantha Shellum, and Malia Johnson, all from the Garretson School District.
For information on the Prairie Rose Community Fund go to www.prairierosesd.com
