First Dakota's 'Toys For Tots' Challenge Is Huge Success
A huge thank you to the Yankton community for helping the Toys for Tots program. On Dec 17-18, First Dakota challenged the Yankton community to make donations to the Toys for Tots program by matching up to $5,000 in donations.
"Out generous community did it again." said Larry Ness, CEO and President of First Dakota. "A heartfelt thank you to all who made donations."
First Dakota presented $10,254.26 to Pat Robinson, chair of the Toys for Tots program.
These are challenging times and children are the future of our community. Thank you for helping more than 400 children have a great Christmas.
First Dakota was founded in 1872 and holds the first bank charter issued in all of Dakota Territory. It has 13 full-service banking locations in ten South Dakota cities, including Chamberlain, Kimball, Mitchell, Oacoma, Parkston, Salem, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Wagner and Yankton. It also has six loan production offices throughout South Dakota and Nebraska.
With total assets exceeding $740 million and over 250 dedicated banking professionals.
First Dakota has a lengthy menu of financial products and services. In addition to traditional lending and deposit activities, First Dakota offers Trust & Brokerage services and all forms of electronic banking through firstdakota.com.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Caring Neighbors Make Magic
The holidays are magical. Within families, co-workers, club members, congregations, individuals - people of all ages - giving abounds. Long shopping lists are thoughtfully written for gifts for family and friends. Kitchens fill with aromas of requested or traditional baked goodies. Carols resound in stores, homes, concert halls, churches and bright colored lights greet us from all directions.
It is the season for magic. Neighbors open their hearts for neighbors in need. Children's eyes sparkle and wide grins appear when they open their gifts. Families come to the table with eager anticipation after receiving food. Sighs of happiness are heard when soft beds are now the site for sleep. Magic occurs before our eyes time after time. We either have someone offer to help and a matching need comes to our attention or someone calls seeking assistance and "out of the blue" a person offers to help!
Toys For Tots has over 400 children on this year's list with 36 families being adopted by families, organizations or businesses. Pat Robinson and her group of "elves" work tirelessly collecting and buying toys to make Christmas very special for the children. For many families the pressure of giving their children a toy or having food on the table is overwhelming. One mother shared with us that she was going to sell her one and only car in order to have money for food and gifts for her children. She was so grateful for Toys For Tots. When families register and the suggested gift list is submitted, often the request is not for a toy or a game but it is for a shirt or shoes or a blanket. This program as well as the "angel trees" and other programs in the community address critical issues for many of our neighbors.
The Contact Center has been very busy this year distributing food for hungry families, assisting with utility bills and rent. Their food shelves have been restocked by numerous food drives that have come to a timely rescue. Taking requests for the Fruit Basket Program for isolated and disabled neighbors also has the staff and volunteers bustling to meet the increased need.
Slumberland Furniture owners Peggy and Larry Olson have eagerly participated in their company's donation of beds for many years. Names of families are referred to our office, the Knights of Columbus ask their members to drive pickups to deliver the beds and volunteers share their strength to carry the beds to their new homes. Sleeping on a mattress is magical.
The assistance provided by the nineteen United Way & Volunteer Services' affiliated agencies is also magical. With limited staff, efficient budgets and increased needs these dedicated people constantly assume the role of magician to improve lives by addressing the various needs. Meeting the $460,000 goal for 2010 will enable the magic to continue for our neighbors in need. By you assuming the role of magician and "pulling money from your magical hat" to donate to the campaign, these programs plus many more will continue to address the various faces of our neighbors living in poverty every season of the year. Are you creating magic?