Above: Members of Dennis and Linda’s family joined CHS staff and Board Members to honor the Daugaards’ legacy at CHS.
2024 has been a year of celebrations and transformations for CHS. As the dust settled from the dining hall construction on the SFCH, it’s just beginning for Rapid City. This past September, CHS hosted “Sheetrock, Paper, Scissors – Ribbon Cutting/Demo Day” to celebrate the demolition and renovation process on the new Children’s Home Society of South Dakota Rapid City Campus.
A multitude of people attended the event, including city officials, community members, CHS board members, donors, and staff.
Lakota Elder, the late Robert Rattling Chase, opened our celebration by talking about the Lakota word “wablenica,” which translates to "orphan" or “one who is lost.” Robert spoke about the importance of CHS's role in the community and how we help children and families find their way when they are lost. He ended his speech with a Lakota blessing, asking for protection and safety for all that come to our campus.
Remarks were delivered by CHS leaders, Board Member Eric Lee, the Rapid City mayor, and our architect and builder.
Above left: President and CEO, Michelle Lavallee prepares to hit the sheetrock. Right: Elevate Rapid City provided a huge pair of scissors for the ribbon cutting ceremony. From left to right: Dr. Wilson, Ricke, Sanderson, Clark, Lee, Lavallee, Salamun, Mammenga, Gustafson, and Niemeyer.
Following the speeches, CHS Executive Leaders suited up in purple hard hats and vests and took turns smashing the sheetrock wall. Once everyone had a chance to break the wall, Elevate Rapid City brought out a gigantic pair of scissors and Michelle cut the ceremonial ribbon.
News Center 1 and KOTA, were also in attendance (click links to watch the coverage).
Fast forward to October. On the second day of the annual meeting, CHS celebrated the opening of the new Daugaard Dining Hall with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony.
The newly constructed facility was named to honor the legacy of former S.D. Governor Dennis Daugaard and his wife, Linda. Dennis served as Executive Director for seven years, Development Director for 12 years and a Board Member for five years. Linda was also a Board Member for six years.
“Dennis has played a profound role in shaping Children’s Home Society into the wonderful organization that it is today,” said President and CEO Michelle Lavallee. “This beautiful hall will be the place where meals and unforgettable memories will serve as the recipe for success as we work with children and families in a trauma-informed setting.”
CHS has had a powerful impact on Dennis’s life. He reflected on a moment when he had one of the kiddos, a little boy named Jack, help him record a “thank you” tape to send to a donor. He asked Jack a few questions like, “What are you learning in school? Who's your teacher? What's your favorite part of CHS?” At the end of the interview, Dennis asked Jack what he wanted to be when he grew up, and Jack responded that he “just wanted to be happy.”
For Dennis, that was a powerful experience of the importance of our mission–to prevent, treat and heal trauma. Dennis and his family support CHS however they can, including volunteering as a group every year at the annual Gift Wrap Booth benefitting Shelter.
After Dennis's speech, members of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce presented Michelle and Dennis with a commemorative plaque for this special occasion. Everyone then lined up in front of the new Daugaard Dining Hall sign and the ribbon was cut, marking this new chapter in CHS history.
Both Dakota News Now and KELO covered the ribbon cutting (click links to watch the coverage).