FOR RELEASE: May 17, 2013

CONTACT: Jeff Mammenga, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000, Jeff.Mammenga@state.sd.us

State Historical Society recognizes volunteers for service in 2012

PIERRE, S.D. -- The South Dakota State Historical Society recently honored some of its most important people.

Volunteers were recognized both for their years of service and hours of service in 2012 at a brunch at the Cultural Heritage Center during National Volunteer Week.

In 2012, approximately 46 people donated 3,198 hours of their time at the Cultural Heritage Center and Heritage Store at the Capitol.

“We could not operate as well as we do without our volunteers,” said South Dakota State Historical Society Director Jay D. Vogt. “They welcome people to the Cultural Heritage Center, help them select their perfect reminder of their visit in the Heritage Store, make history come alive by leading tours and teaching classes, and preserve South Dakota’s history through their work in the State Archives and museum at the Cultural Heritage Center. Our volunteers are often the people visitors most associate with the Cultural Heritage Center.”

A total of 16 volunteers donated 100 hours or more of their time in 2012. They were honored for the years they have donated that many hours. They were: Marv Paulson, 18 years; Clara Shelbourn, 11years; Karen Allan, 10 years; Connie Grittner, eight years; Colleen Weiss and Art Rezac, both seven years; Carolyn Coonrod and Doris Powell, both five years; Gail Lyngstad and Betty Meintsma, both four years; Carol Jennings, Billie Taylor and Gloria Welk, all three years; Ruth Rehn, second year; and  Betsey DeLoache and Kathy Olson, first year.

Volunteers honored for their years of service were: 22 years – Trudy Evenstad, Nancy Thomas and Bob Travis;  19 to 15 years – Homer Harding, Bev Huckins, Sandra Kangas, Gladys Larsen, Marv Paulson and Clara Shelbourn; 14 to 10 years – Karen Allan, Judy Bassett, Jan Deis, LaVer Holland, Juanita Kangas, Sandra Nelson, Del Paulson, Art Rezac and Colleen Weiss; nine to five years – Tim Bjork, Carolyn Coonrod, Alverde Daniel, Andy Deis, Connie Grittner, Donna Gutenkauf, Joan Likness, Gail Lyngstad, Betty Meintsma, Marilyn Nugent, Linda Peterson, Doris Powell and Billie Taylor; four to two years – Mike Baker, Tonnie Collins, Betsey DeLoache, Carol Jennings, Marlys Nellermoe, Ruth Rehn, Don Shields, Karen Stein, Gloria Welk and Gary Whitney.

New volunteers in 2012 were Peggy Brown, Lois Byrum and Kathy Olson.

All the volunteers received a certificate of appreciation. Those who donated 100 hours or more also received a gift.

The South Dakota State Historical Society offers a variety of experiences for volunteers. They include volunteering at the front desk, in the Heritage Store at the Cultural Heritage Center and the State Capitol, in the State Archives, as a tour guide and as a docent teaching special classes to area second, third and fourth graders.

For more information on volunteering at the Cultural Heritage Center, contact volunteer coordinator Dorinda Daniel at (605) 773-6006.

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The South Dakota Historical Society Foundation is a private charitable nonprofit that seeks funding to assist the South Dakota State Historical Society in programming and projects to preserve South Dakota’s history and heritage for future generations.

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism. The Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council, and the State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.

Information for cutline:

Among those honored for volunteering 100 hours or more at the Cultural Heritage Center in 2012 were, left to right, back row, South Dakota Historical Society Foundation President Mike Lewis, Marv Paulson, Ruth Rehn, Carolyn Coonrod, Betty Meintsma, Billie Taylor, Karen Allan and South Dakota State Historical Society Director Jay D. Vogt; front row Kathy Olson, Colleen Weiss, Clara Shelbourn, Connie Grittner and Carol Jennings. (Photo courtesy South Dakota State Historical Society)