Hand County Health & Wellness Community Foundation Inc

“Name: american legion post 38 cash contribution: 7,500”

“Expenses office exp 287 software 106 contract labor 1,293 total 1,686”

“St. Lawrence cares is a brand new organization in st. Lawrence, south dakota. The group was founded in may of 2021 by four very community-minded residents, shelby wieseler, andrea mushitz, jansen naber, and hannah caffee. These four individuals all had the same dream in mind: to make their small town the very best it can be. Their mission is simple, complete community based projects that are focused on the future. Through this mission, the goal of st. Lawrence cares is to make the st. Lawrence community as welcoming as possible for families of all sizes, children of all ages, and visitors from near and far. To meet their goal, the first undertaking of the organization is to work with local community members in st. Lawrence, as well as miller, to install a safe, fun, and easy to access playground. St. Lawrence cares is joining forces with the local community to come together and build a new playground. The area will benefit from this playground with local children finally having a safe, close to home and central place to grow and play. The intended playground is much needed in our community and features multiple installations to make it welcoming and inviting for all children and families. There currently is no easy to access communal play equipment for kids in our town. The nearest alternative for any kind of play equipment is just over 3 miles away, in the neighboring city of miller, at their local park or elementary school. This playground is highly supported by local citizens and business owners alike. It will bring families together and have longterm positive impacts in the community. Most directly served by this playground, will be the residents of the st. Lawrence community, both those within and out of city limits. Indirectly, this project also benefits miller children and families who frequently come to st. Lawrence to dine, do business, or simply visit.”

“Backpack buddies program: in 2009, hannah caffee began working on her girl scout gold award project. She decided there was a true need in our community to help needy families and their school age children. She decided to do a backpack buddies program that would provide filled backpacks at no cost to these families. The first year the program gave 17 backpacks away. Each year, the numbers increased with the largest number in 2015 - 53 backpacks on average, this program gives 30 backpacks a year. After hannah went away to college, the program was directed by liz welk with help from sylvia wieseler. After liz went away to college, taylor schlechter directed the program and later had her sister callie help out. Callie schlechter is currently the director. The adult supervisor continues to be tammy caffee who takes care of financials with grant applications and fundraising as needed. The united methodist church has been very generous with providing a room where school supplies can be stored and where the backpacks can be assembled. They have also provided money to help this program. Other supporters over the years have included miller area foundation, senior citizens of hand county, hand county ministerial association, presbyterian and lutheran women and most recently vacation bible school. This program has also received private donations as well. In the summer of 2020, we gave away 35 backpacks to needy kids in the miller area we estimate that over 400 backpacks have been given away since 2009. Hannah' s criteria for the program remain the same: 1.confidentiality - only one person knows who receives the backpacks. 2.quality - backpacks given are brand new and in the latest styles to give children confidence on the first day of school. 3.efficiency - backpacks are distributed before the first day of school.”