Commander Col. John Nichols helping carry toys into YFS Child Care that airmen and their families collected for the infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children.

Ellsworth Air Force Base’s 28th Operations Group carried out a special holiday mission Tuesday, December 18.

The 28^th OG, which includes the 28^th Operations Support Squadron, 34^th Bomb Squadron and 37^th Bomb Squadron, brought Santa to Youth & Family Services Child Care facility and delivered toys that squadron members collected over the last several weeks for children enrolled in the YFS Child Care program. This was the sixth year the 28^th OG collected and donated gifts to children involved in the program.

YFS Child Care staff provided the names and ages of infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children in their program to squadron members, who then purchased and wrapped gifts for every child. Squadron members delivered more than 170 gifts to the youngsters in the YFS Child Care program.

Approximately 30 squadron members arrived with Santa on the EAFB float that had previously been in the Parade of Lights. Santa was greeted by hundreds of children waiting, very enthusiastically, on the curb. After Santa greeted the excited children outside, he and the volunteers went from classroom to classroom handing out presents to all the children.

The idea of a toy drive started among members of the 28^th OSS who wanted to bring a little Christmas cheer to an organization in the community, and make a difference in the lives of children and families.

That spirit of giving soon spread to the 34^th and 37^th Bomb Squadrons, whose members and families enthusiastically began adding to the growing pile of presents for YFS children.

Santa was also able to distribute gifts that were donated to the school-aged children enrolled in YFS Child Care. Gifts for these children were purchased, wrapped, and donated by workers of Rapid City’s local United States’ Postal Service office.

Each year, workers at the post office purchase gifts for all the school age children at YFS Child Care and deliver them the morning that Santa comes to visit the kids. This year, two mail carriers used their day off to come unload a truck full of gifts for the children.

Earlier this month, Jamie Dubblede from Black Hills Community Bank presented Youth & Family Services with a generous gift of $500. The money was donated by Black Hills Community Bank, but given to YFS on behalf of Jamie’s request.

As part of Black Hills Community Bank’s Pass it On program, Jamie was able to select YFS to receive these funds. “The bank allots a budget for employees to donate funds to an organization of their choice,” stated Jamie. Jamie chose to donate her allocated funds to YFS because her son utilized services through the agency. “It was a tremendous help to my family and our son.” Jamie’s son was enrolled in YFS Head Start programming.

YFS Rapid City Head Start provides social competency and school readiness activities in a preschool environment. Rapid City Head Start teachers work with children and their families to develop their skills and set individual goals for each child. Curriculum and activities are carefully designed to be fun and developmentally appropriate. Children learn social skills such as problem solving and teamwork in a classroom setting, boosting their self-confidence and preparing them for a lifetime of learning.

In addition to the educational services provided, Rapid City Head Start also offers screening and developmental testing, transportation, services for children with disabilities and their families, resources for family-oriented counseling, educational opportunities for parents, family literacy, alcohol and drug dependency prevention, health and dental screenings.

Rapid City Head Start recognizes the parent as the child’s primary educator, nurturer and advocate. Parent involvement is the strength of Head Start and parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education and growth.

Members of YFS Girls Incorporated® of Rapid City have some terrific pieces of art being featured in the Art Start Studio at the Dahl Arts Center. The show, titled Grateful Treasures, includes a variety of festive, holiday artwork that was created entirely of recycled materials!

Girls Inc. members embarked on an idea to create Christmas ornaments made of recycled materials.  These ornaments were made by girls, ages 6 – 11, under the direction of their teachers.  The girls began this project learning about the importance of reducing, recycling and reusing, as well as the importance of giving back to our earth and to our community.

The girls worked with a lot of enthusiasm creating these ornaments! They used a variety of materials ranging from puzzle pieces, plastic bottles and spoons, to containers and cardboard tubes. Making recycled ornaments allowed the girls to participate in creating a positive future for their families, communities, and planet in a fun and festive way.

The Exchange Club of Rapid City is once again sponsoring the gift wrap booth for Youth & Family Services in the Rushmore Mall during the month of December! Shoppers will be able to stop by the table and have their purchases wrapped for a nominal fee. All proceeds will be supporting the programs of YFS.

The wrapping station is located in the North Wing near Hallmark Gold Crown store and will be open during the Rushmore Mall shopping hours. All types of volunteer shifts are still available from morning to evening, and even weekends!

“This is a fun way to celebrate the holiday season and help out your community. All donations we receive will go to help promote programs for children and families in our community such as Girls Incorporated^® of Rapid City, the YFS Counseling Center, and even our Nutrition Services program,” says John Gordon, YFS Director of Special Projects.

If you’re interested in volunteering at this year’s gift wrap, please call John Gordon at 342-4195.

To ensure that members of YFS Girls Incorporated® of Rapid City had a fun and safe experience this Halloween, Girls Inc. held its annual Monster Bash on October 25.

The Monster Bash was a spectacular event! Girls Inc. members and their families dressed up in their Halloween attire and headed down to the program center, collected prizes, and participated in games such as a pumpkin walk, bean bag toss, pumpkin bowling, flying broom races, and so much more. YFS staff also worked together to construct a spooky haunted house for the girls and their families to enjoy!

“We host this event for the sole purpose of our girls being able to spend some fun time with their family in a safe, kid-friendly environment,” stated Shelly Flack, YFS Girls Inc. Coordinator. “We hope to help families enjoy quality time together.”