If there is an opportunity to help others, especially if the request includes the assistance of children, Lois Halbur steps up to the plate. Volunteering is second nature to Lois as well as her family which includes husband Mark and children Kyle and Kate.

Halbur shares her time, talents and treasures generously with issues of physical and mental health, education and community beautification. Serving on various boards and committees at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Healthy Yankton, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society has raised her awareness on a variety of health issues. Halbur shares this wealth of information and resources with co-workers, agencies, clients and anyone and everyone else that would benefit from the knowledge gained.

When the seed for the Mental Wellness Conference was being planted, Halbur brought her networking skills and resources to the group. With her leadership and participation on the Planning Committee, the annual conference has increased in attendance and in quality. She is also a member of National Alliance on Mental Illness and has assisted many years with the coordination of the Annual Candlelight Vigil during Mental Illness Awareness Week. Yankton National Disabilities Employment Awareness Committee appreciates Lois Halbur's participation when coordinating the publicity to promote hiring persons with disabilities.

With her children enrolled in Sacred Heart School, Halbur joined Friends of Sacred Heart School and has served as Co-Vice President and Co-President as well as with other committees and projects. She actively assists with the school's fundraisers, classroom parties and other "parents are needed" projects.

Always eager to improve and promote the Yankton community, Halbur has served on a number of Yankton Chamber of Commerce committees. Admiring the hard work and beautiful results of Christmas lights on homes, she helped implement the Annual Christmas Lighting and Decorating Contest. When the Santa Claus Lane Decorating Project was in jeopardy, she and her family joined others in promoting and resurrecting the idea. With the assistance of prison inmate labor, recycling wood pallets and support of businesses and organizations, decorated wooden cut outs appeared to add to the festive appearance of the Riverside Park area.

Lois Halbur puts her heart and soul into volunteerism as is evident in the following quote: "Yankton is a community that offers wonderful and diverse volunteer opportunities. And, lifelong learning is essential for personal growth. Through every volunteer opportunity, I have met and worked with really nice people. I have learned valuable information or gained skills that I otherwise wouldn't have experienced." Halbur is making a difference in this community through the sharing of her time, talents and treasures.