Community counts blessings at annual Oak & Vine

The community’s blessings were counted, shared and celebrated Friday evening at the sixth annual Brandon Community Foundation’s fundraiser, Oak & Vine. 

“This night is a very important night for the Foundation and our community,” BCF board president Bob Logan said. “It’s a night we count our blessings in Brandon and Valley Springs, a night when we toast and are thankful to live where we live. It’s a night to grant organizations dollars to continue to do good work in our communities, to acknowledge the Spirit recipients for their spirit of giving in many ways to our community, and to acknowledge the life legacy of one of our own.”

Grant dollars totaling $26,623 were shared with 16 community-focused organizations. The grants ranged from $500 to $2,500.

Five agencies were awarded $2,500: Valley Springs Volunteer Fire Department (to help offset purchase of 2015 pumper truck), the BV Hockey Association (for Phase 1 of the outdoor rink), BV Baseball Association (Field A at Aspen Park renovations), First Priority of the Great Plains (to help fund the operating budget and program expansion), and BV Band Parents Inc. (to purchase an additional marimba for marching and concert bands and percussion ensemble). 

Junior Achievement of Brandon Valley was granted $2,100 for the financial literacy program they present in the Brandon Valley School District. A trio of $2,000 grants were awarded to the Charles R. Doman American Legion Post #131 (to help defer costs of a new air conditioning system), BV School District School Nurses (to purchase Plusoptix Vision Screener and accessories), and the Helpline Center (help support staffing to provide presentations at BVHS, to respond to crisis texts and create educational materials.

Five, $1,000 grants were given to Best Buddies-Brandon Chapter (for chapter dues and travel costs for required leadership training), Lynx TV-BV Athletic Booster Club (assist in covering costs of announcers, technicians and camera operators), American Legion Auxiliary Post #318 (to send delegates to Girls’ State), BV Optimist Club (Hometown Days sponsorship), and Boys and Girls Club of the Sioux Empire (help enhance the after-school STEM curriculum).

Finally, a $523 grant was awarded to Brandon Three Rivers VFW Post 4726 (to purchase replacement flag for display during Brandon’s Loyalty Day Parade), and $500 was given to Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, Mentoring Services for BV Schools (for two “Mentor Try-It” events in BV Schools).

Including this year’s near $27,000, the Foundation has gifted a total of $174,389 in grant dollars since its establishment 11 years ago. 

Greg and Sheri Carmon join an impressive list of past recipients of the Community Spirit Award. Past recipients have included the late Jimmie Fjerestad, Dick Pickering, Dennis Olson and the late Gene Johnson, who had the initial vision for the Foundation.

“Sheri and I are honored to receive this award. In my wildest dreams, I didn’t think I would be standing here tonight,” Greg said.

Similar to past recipients, the Carmons have continuously volunteered time and talents to various community endeavors, in addition to backing these same causes with significant monetary donations.

Mary Kolsrud, gift planing officer with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, which manages Brandon’s fund, complimented the local Foundation for its well-rounded support of the community.

“It’s truly impacting every aspect of life in Brandon. We all know Brandon’s a great community, and you’re making it even treater.”

The night concluded with the legacy toast to the Fjerestad family, who, in memory of Jimmie, organized a golf tournament to benefit the Foundation. To date, Logan said more than $42,000 has been raised from the event.

“They want to give back to the community that has been so good to them,” Logan shared on behalf of the Fjerestad family. “It is about remembering Jimmie and celebrating his life. The day of the golf tournament is a very important day for the family, but every human being also leaves behind a non-material legacy, one that’s harder to define but often far more important. This legacy comprises a lifetime of relationships, accomplishments, truths and values, and it lives on in those whose lives they’ve touched.”