Rapid City Rotary

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Rapid City Rotary

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06/07/2026

The D1fference 1 Person Can Make
🤍💛❤️🖤

Last week, Rapid City Rotary had the privilege of hearing from Tyresha Grey Horse.
Tyresha is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. An educator, advocate, and community leader dedicated to strengthening opportunities for youth and families.

Tyresha’s passion for education and community engagement was evident throughout her presentation with us. 🔅

She shared the inspiring work of Friends of the Children - He Sapa a program providing children with a trained, paid professional mentor, one on one, from as early as age 4 staying with them through high school graduation.
(The d1fference 1person can make.)

This organization is not only serving youth in Rapid City but is also expanding its impact with a second location on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Tyresha highlighted how Friends of the Children – He Sapa incorporates Lakota culture while supporting youth and caregivers in the community, at home, and in school—building long-term relationships that help children thrive. 🤍💛❤️🖤

Tyresha, THANK YOU for sharing your story, for assisting us with our Rotary Global Grant and for the incredible work you are doing to create lasting impact for the next generation. 🚸
”The d1fference 1 person can make!”

You too can make a d1fference!
Please check out Friends of the Children’- He Sapa’s website www.friendshesapa.org

05/31/2026

💡QUICK QUESTION: What is PHILANTHROPY?

Last week, we had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Matt Ehlman, who earned his PhD in philanthropy from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Since coming to South Dakota in 2006 to volunteer on the reservation, he has dedicated his work to understanding and sharing the recognizable data and unique needs, strengths, and stories of rural America with academics, practitioners, and policymakers.

He also introduced us to the incredible work of the Rural Philanthropy Institute, highlighting cohort programs, training opportunities, and resources designed to strengthen non-profit communities and empower local leaders to create lasting impact.

While he claimed he wasn’t much of a public speaker, our noon Rapid City Rotary Club would respectfully disagree.
His message was thoughtful, engaging, and a powerful reminder that philanthropy isn’t just about dollars—it’s about people, purpose, service, and creating a better future together.

A philanthropist is someone who loves humanity enough to invest in it and using whatever you have to improve life for others!

Thank you, Dr. Ehlman, for reminding us why what we do matters—not just as but as human beings.

💡ANSWER: PHILANTHROPY comes from the Greek words:

Philos = love & Anthropos = humankind

PHILANTHROPY is the love of humanity expressed through action 💙💛⚙️

05/25/2026

📰 Front page worthy conversation…

Last week, our Rapid City Rotary Club got the inside scoop 🗞️ from Chris Hornick on the ever-changing world of instant news, the role the Rapid City Post plays in keeping our community informed, and the impact The HomeSlice Group continues to have across the Black Hills— and it was anything but “breaking news” boring. 😉

From digital media to local journalism, Chris shared how the Rapid City Post was built on a passion for honest, timely, and impactful FREE local news for our community.

Beyond media, his heart for service shines through as a former foster parent and board chair for Rapid City CASA.

Our club learned more about Local news.
Local impact. Local leadership.
That’s a story worth sharing. 🖤

For more stories behind the stories talk to one of our very own “headline chasers/service reporters” ROTARY CLUB MEMBERS about how you too can become more involved in lasting community impact!! 👔

05/15/2026

If you don’t know why you’re here, then neither do we??

Yesterday’s meeting reminded us that every person in our club has a story, a path, a purpose, and a passion that brought them to Rotary. Member Classifications Talk is a valuable and fun (not scary) presentation and explanation of who you are and what brought you to Rotary.

From business leaders to caregivers, mentors, volunteers, parents, entrepreneurs, and community advocates - hearing members share a little about themselves is a powerful reminder that service starts with connection.

The more we know each other, the stronger we become together.

Thank you to everyone who opened up, shared your heart, your journey, and what drives you to create lasting impact in our community. ⚙️🌟

Mike Dinkel - Suzan Nolan - Tim TrueBlood - Julie Smorgagiewicz

Networking may open doors, but meaningful relationships built around service and purpose are what truly change communities. If you are interested in getting to know more and building with us, join us Thursdays, for lunch at The Rushmore Hotel & Suites 11:30 and meeting for one hour beginning at noon.

05/08/2026

One of the most meaningful parts of Rotary International is realizing that strangers across the world can quickly become lifelong friends.

Rotary Friendship Exchange program is more than travel - it's opening homes, sharing cultures, building understanding, and creating connections that last far beyond the trip itself.

Watching families welcome one another, support each other, and share life together is a beautiful reminder of what Rotary is truly about: service, friendship, and lasting impact.

Richard Wallstrom shared the incredible experience he, his wife Cathy, and Morning Club Rotarian Shawn Walter’s had during the Rotary International Friendship Exchange in Paraná, Brazil and District 5710!

Seven participants from the U.S. traveled there, and now seven new friends from Brazil will be visiting us in late September.
What an exciting true "exchange" of culture, friendship, ideas, and hospitality.

A huge thank you to everyone who puts in the time, planning, and effort to create these opportunities and lifelong relationships. This is Rotary at its best — building connections that span the globe.

If you want to know more about the Friendship Exchange program or how to get involved, ask a Rotarian!

05/01/2026

Isn’t it amazing that we don’t have to TRAVEL far to experience something incredible!?
🧳🏕️🗺️

Yesterday, we had an incredible time at The Rushmore Hotel & Suites with our friend Carmen Schramm, Executive Director of the Tourism Coalition of South Dakota.

With more than 30 years of experience in tourism, marketing, and community development, she brings industry knowledge, leadership and excitement from one side of the state to the other 😉

She’s helping South Dakota shine ✨
a true tourism champion 🏆
Building connections, boosting communities, advocating and celebrating everything that makes our state so special.

Carmen reminded us to explore our own backyard like it’s our first time here—and to proudly share our piece of the country with others.

Ready for your next adventure?
Check out ideas and tourism insights at sdvisit.com and be sure to follow Travel South Dakota for inspiration! 🌄

Also, we would love to know what YOU are doing or hope to do for
NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK
(May 3-9) so comment before, after or during 🛄

04/24/2026

“You can go here if you are young in years or young at heart…”

When she’s not coaching, chasing adventures outdoors, or keeping up with her four kids, our friend Mallory Hock is busy creating something truly special. ✨

As Executive Director of Storybook Island for the past two years (and a dedicated team member for four), she shared an inspiring update with our club—past, present, and what’s still to come for our own little slice of magic. 🏰

This place has touched so many of our lives—and the lives of children across our community—and the best part? It’s only getting better. 💛

Want to be part of the magic? Follow along here and Storybook Island check out their website www.storybookisland.org and come see it for yourself. 💫

And don’t forget—our Rotary Gazebo is going up this summer! There are so many ways to get involved… just ask us how.

04/20/2026

🌱💧EARTH DAY 🌎

The Rotary Clubs in Rapid City will join other states and districts for EARTH DAY 2026
and as part of the
UNITE FOR WATER INITIATIVE
-a collaborative effort focused on expanding access to clean water and sanitation. Rotarians will create sustainable solutions that improve health, strengthen communities, and change lives.

Saturday, April 25, 10 AM – 2 PM
Water testing at the Earth Day Expo
Western Dakota Technical College
EET Lab L126
Wonder what’s in your water??
Pick up sample bottles and instructions ($10) from Hay Camp Brewing Co. on Friday,
April 24, 4:30-7 PM and bring samples to be tested at WDT Saturday. Participate as volunteers, run samples, results and testing in the laboratory – a great partnership between WDT and SDSMT.

Also:

Saturday, April 25, 10:30 AM
Rapid City Community Clean-Up
On 44th St. in front of Stevens High School
Meet in the overflow parking lot
Keepin’ it clean!!

Rotary has so many exciting opportunities to help your community.
Message us for more information!

04/17/2026

What an inSIGHTful and unforgettable day
👀✨

The noon club was honored to hear our Rotary Four-Way Test Essay winner Julian Ren read his piece so eloquently, reminding us all of the importance of truth, fairness, friendship, and benefit for all. From an amazing family, this kid is really going places!!

And we had the true pleasure of hosting Rotary member and past president of the North Platte Noon Rotary Club, Dr. Kim Baxter, retired optometrist from Nebraska-and "inspiring" doesn't even begin to cover it.
From laughter to tears, he moved us in every way possible, helping us truly SEE the impact one person can make through service.
Alongside his incredible team—his wife Nancy, daughter Mikaela, and son Craig🪽 -Dr. Kim shared powerful stories of Global Grant projects, their time in Africa, and the life-changing power of leadership, mentorship, and meaningful connections
While he has been honored countless times—
Nebraska Optometrist of the Year, Rotary Governor's Humanitarian Service Award, Rotary International Service Above Self Award, Mentor of the Year-yesterday, we were simply honored to call him our guest... and our friend.

Thank you both for showing us what it truly means to

Address

7201 Mt. Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD
57702

Website

http://www.rapidcityrotary.org/

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