2026 July Volunteer of the Month - Dr. Tom Stotz

As we celebrate Independence Day each July, we're reminded that strong communities don't simply happen; they are built by people who choose to give back. They are strengthened by neighbors who volunteer their time, share their talents, and quietly invest in something bigger than themselves. At United Way of Greater Yankton, we believe volunteers are the foundation of a thriving community. This month, we are proud to recognize someone whose decades of servant leadership have left an enduring mark on countless organizations and lives throughout Greater Yankton: Dr. Tom Stotz.

Nominated by Frani Kieffer, Drew Lawrence, and Dave Spencer, Dr. Stotz was recognized for more than three decades of dedicated service to youth sports, civic organizations, and the community at large. He has served on the Yankton Baseball Association Board of Directors for over 30 years, spending most of that time as Treasurer. His nominators described him as far more than the organization's financial steward—they shared that he is the trusted advisor board members turn to for perspective, wisdom, and historical knowledge. In their nomination they wrote, "Dr. Tom Stotz embodies the true spirit of volunteerism through his humility, dedication, and selfless service. His willingness to give his time, talents, and wisdom has made a lasting impact on youth baseball and the Yankton community."

While baseball has been one of Tom's greatest passions, it represents only part of his story. He currently serves as Commissioner of the South Central Baseball League, is a member and past president of the Yankton Morning Optimist Club, serves on its Board of Directors, and helps oversee the Riverside Field concession stand. At Trinity Lutheran Church, he has served in numerous leadership and service roles, while also volunteering with Meals on Wheels and helping care for family members. As nominator Dave Spencer observed, "Most people say they're busy. When I look at Tom Stotz's schedule, he is the definition of busy." Yet Tom continues to make time for serving others, demonstrating that volunteerism isn't about having extra time; it's about making time for what matters most.

We asked Tom to share more about his volunteer journey and what service means to him:

I have lived here in the Greater Yankton area since:

I opened my chiropractic practice in January of 1982, and we moved from Vermillion to Yankton in the fall of 1982.

I began volunteering:

Shortly after joining the Yankton Jaycees. My first experience was going door to door selling Honey Bears to support the Jaycee Camps for the Handicapped near Baltic and in the Black Hills.

I volunteer at:

Yankton Baseball Association—Treasurer with 31 years of involvement; South Central Amateur Baseball—President since 2008; Yankton Morning Optimists—Board member and co-chair of the summer concession stand at Riverside Field; Trinity Lutheran Church—co chair of the Stewardship Committee, chair of the Endowment Committee, van driver, usher, communion preparation; and Meals on Wheels.

Approximate hours per year that I volunteer:

The total number of hours that I volunteer in a year are difficult to estimate and are probably more than I realize. If I had to guess, the hours would be in the upper hundreds to a thousand.

Volunteer work is enjoyable because:

Serving others gives meaning and purpose to life.

My best volunteer experiences were:

Serving as the 53rd President of the South Dakota Jaycees, followed by serving as Chaplain and Vice President of the United States Jaycees.

The advice I would give to those thinking about getting out there and volunteering in their communities is:

The advice I would give is the same advice I was given early in my career: each and every individual should strive to make the world better than they found it. Furthermore, you have an obligation to give back to the community that supports you. When you do that, success will follow you to the end.

Thank you, Dr. Stotz, for your lifelong commitment to serving others and for demonstrating what it means to lead with humility, generosity, and purpose. Your dedication has strengthened organizations, created opportunities for generations of young people, and made Yankton a better place to live.

To learn more about local volunteer opportunities or to nominate someone for United Way's Volunteer of the Month Award, please visit www.yanktonunitedway.org/volunteer, email volunteer@yanktonunitedway.org, or call United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton at (605) 665-6766.