Hendricks Foundation

08/19/2026

A big thank you to First Interstate Bank for their generous $1,000 donation to the Hendricks Community Foundation! This support will help us continue our efforts to improve and enhance Hendricks’ public spaces.

A special thank you to Greg Olson, a Hendricks native and Market President of First Interstate Bank, who reached out to us about the opportunity to apply for support through First Interstate’s community giving program and encouraged us to pursue it. Greg helped us navigate the process, and our request was quickly approved!

We also wanted to make other local organizations aware of the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation grant and giving opportunities. If your organization has a project that could benefit the community, this may be a great resource to explore.

We’re grateful to Greg and First Interstate Bank for recognizing the importance of investing in the community and for helping support the continued improvement of Hendricks!

https://www.firstinterstatebank.com/company/commitment/grants

Grants | First Interstate Bank
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08/16/2026

NOTICE to Thrivent Financial members: Check your Thrivent Choice Dollars account. You may find there are dollars waiting for you to direct them to an approved non-profit charitable organization. If so, please consider directing them to the Hendricks Community Foundation. This is a great opportunity to make a gift that supports local community projects and programs. THANK YOU!! ***PLEASE NOTE: When a donation is made with Thrivent Choice Dollars, the check from Thrivent does NOT include the name of the person making the gift. You should let the Treasurer of the Foundation (David Blees) know about your gift..Contact David Blees at Hendricks City Hall at 507-275-3192. Otherwise we are unable to thank you.

08/05/2026

We have very EXCITING NEWS!!!!. The thermometer at Clock Corner was updated on 8-4-26 showing a $5,000 increase, in just ONE month!!! With your help, we are HALFWAY towards our $50,000 goal for this Main Street project. ThANK YOU! We would especially like to thank another very generous Anonymous donor. We appreciate every gift large or small. Reminder: it's not too late to show your community spirit!! Help us create this wonderful green space for all to enjoy. Use the Venmo code for an easy way to donate. Thank You!!!!

07/26/2026

Summer (2026) is in full bloom at Ardor Square in downtown Hendricks. The foundation is very proud of their project to create a colorful space surrounding the sculpture that was installed after the town's centennial.

07/05/2026

On July 3rd, Pastor Darren Shaw, Vice-President of the Hendricks Foundation, read the Resolution and presented Scott Pearson with the Community Spirit Award. Congratulations, Scott. Photos here include Scott with his wife, Sheryl, and grandkids and the whole family. In the 4th of July parade, Scott is pictured with David Peterson representing the American Legion .

07/03/2026

****Breaking NEWS***The thermometer showing progress towards our goal was just UPDATED 7-3-26: We received a very generous donation of $6,000 to the Main Street green space at Clock Corner. We are very grateful for this gesture of community spirit. Every size donation is greatly appreciated!! Each dollar helps us reach our goal to create this wonderful improvement on Main Street. It's not too late. Let's keep that thermometer moving up!! Use the Venmo code for an easy way to donate. Thank You!!!!

07/01/2026

If you are a Thrivent Financial member and are able to donate "Choice Dollars", please consider directing them to the Hendricks Community Foundation. This is a great opportunity to make a gift that supports local community projects and programs. THANK YOU!!

06/30/2026

THANK YOU, Donors. We inched the thermomter upwards to show the recents gifts received for the downtown green space. Help us reach our GOAL!! We are at $13,000 and a ways to go yet!! Check out the progress if you are around Hendricks for Summerfest/4th of July!!

06/29/2026

The Parade of Flags is an awesome sight when they are put up every Memorial Day and 4th of July. Each flag is dedicated to a veteran or present military member with ties to Hendricks. Each flag pole has a plaque with the name, branch of the military and location number where it is placed along Veterans Memorial Park. Here is the directory of the 305 flags with their names and locations.

06/26/2026

Scott Pearson will be presented with the Community Spirit Award on July 3rd at 3:30pm at the band shell in Veterans Memorial Park. Please join us in congratulating and thanking him for his contributions to our community and commitment to our Veterans. The Resolution follows:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Scott Pearson, a lifelong resident of Hendricks and a 1979 graduate of Hendricks High School, attended vocational school for auto body repair and has dedicated the last 47 years working at Johnson Motors, first with his father-in-law Bobby Johnson, then as co-owner with his brother-in-law, and currently as its owner and operator, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pearson signed up for the South Dakota National Guard in 1978 while still in high school, serving 6 years in the 1742nd guard unit out of Clear Lake, South Dakota, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pearson, a 39-year member of the Reuben Hansen American Legion Post 195, honoring veterans, past and present, served as the Commander for 28 years, engaging in American Legion fundraisers, organizing activities including public Memorial Day programs, facilitating funeral services for veterans, and putting up American flags on Main Street and in Veterans Memorial Park for Memorial Day and 4th of July events, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pearson has demonstrated his dedication to the community, volunteering with the fire department for 26 years, driving a school bus for the local school district for more than 3 decades, and serving on the Hendricks City Council since 2005, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pearson can be seen driving his red, white and blue painted pick-up truck, leading every Summerfest 4th of July parade, a tradition based on a promise he made long ago, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pearson has shown integrity and passion towards all his endeavors, demonstrating a positive attitude, providing help whenever needed, and exhibiting a true patriotic spirit, especially noteworthy this year as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the USA.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hendricks and the Hendricks Community Foundation Board of Directors do hereby express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Scott Pearson for his distinguished service and contributions to our community, and

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the joint boards bestow upon Scott Pearson the “Hendricks Community Spirit Award” for 2026.

(signed)______________ signed)_____________
Julie Hogie, Mayor Alden Olsen, President
City of Hendricks Hendricks Community Foundation

(photo courtesy of the Marshall Independent)