Brianna Nelson

Riverfront Broadcasting stations Classic Hits Q92-3, KOTA Radio, and Z 106-3 will be partnering with Youth & Family Services to help make this holiday season a bit brighter for girls in our community through their sponsorship of Gifts for Girls! Gifts for Girls encourages community members to sponsor one or more girls enrolled in YFS’ Girls Inc. of Rapid City and Health Connections programs for the holiday season. In total, YFS hopes to find sponsors for 100 girls. To fulfill one or more wishes, individuals can visit our Gifts for Girls page, select the girl(s) you wish to sponsor, and send us an email by clicking the icon below girl’s name you wish to purchase a gift for. In the email, donors should include their name and phone number as well as the name and number of the girl(s) they wish to purchase a gift for. Donors are not expected to purchase all items listed; the ideas provided are simply wishes from the girls. Once a girl has been selected, it will state “Wish Being Fulfilled” above her name instead of “Sponsor Needed”. Gifts can be delivered to Youth & Family Services’ (1920 N Plaza Blvd, Rapid City), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. OR to Riverfront Broadcasting (1116 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. We ask that you return the gift wrapped with the name and number of the girl the gift is intended for by December 14 so we can deliver them in time for Christmas! If you have any questions, please call Brianna Nelson at (605) 342-4195.

On December 9, Kenny Putnam, Tom Schaefer, Owen DeJong, Brian and Kaija Bonde, Mike Connor, Boyd Bristow, Al Remund, and Larry Rohrer will be performing a concert that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit! For the second year in a row, Holiday for Fiddles (akin to the well-known Acoustic Christmas concerts) will take place in the Historic Theatre of the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City. Music lovers will have the opportunity to attend a 2 p.m. matinee performance or a 7 p.m. performance. The concert will be approximately 90 minutes and feature holiday songs to create a fun, festive atmosphere. “We’re back for another terrific Christmas show!” exclaimed Kenny Putnam. “The magic of three fiddles together with the wonderful acoustic instrumentation and beautiful, original voices are returning to celebrate the musical spirit of Christmas.” In years past, this group of musicians performed for South Dakota Public Broadcasting as Fiddles and Friends as well as for audiences as An Acoustic Christmas. Tickets are $30 each and are available for purchase in-person, over the phone, or online through the Performing Arts Center. A portion of the proceeds from Holiday for Fiddles will benefit Youth & Family Services. “YFS is one of the most important organizations in the Black Hills that provide so many services to kids in the community,” stated Putnam. “We’re very proud to support them.” To purchase tickets, contact the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City:– 610 Columbus St, Rapid City, SD 57701– (605) 394-1786– https://performingartsrc.org/box-office/

Youth & Family Services (YFS) is excited to announce it will be operating the Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth inside of Uptown Rapid during the 2023 holiday season! YFS has been operating the Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth for many years. Uptown Rapid patrons can visit the booth and get their holiday gifts wrapped for a recommended donation. All funds raised are used to support YFS’ programs that serve thousands of children and families living throughout western South Dakota. YFS is looking for volunteers to help staff this year’s booth. The booth will be open December 8-24. There are early afternoon and late afternoon shifts each day that range from 3.25 – 3.5 hours. To sign up, visit https://signup.com/go/undgLCH. This a terrific opportunity to spread some holiday cheer with your coworkers, friends, family, club, or group while supporting children in our community. Volunteers must be 13 years of age or older. If you can’t volunteer, please consider passing this invitation on to others who may be interested in helping.

Each year, Youth & Family Services’ staff members nominate families enrolled in our programs to receive holiday assistance. Families who are nominated are those who are facing a variety of obstacles and difficulties and are in need of extra support during the holiday season. Individuals or businesses have the opportunity to help these families by sponsoring them through YFS’ Holiday Families Program. Each sponsorship—$250.00—will provide each member of the family with a holiday gift as well as a holiday meal. For more information on how you can help a family in need this holiday season, please contact Connie Olson at (605) 342-4195 or by emailing colson@youthandfamilyservices.org