In TOY STORY, Randy Newman sings “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” It would appear the spirit of Woody & Friends is alive and well at CHS.

Definitions of “prop up”:

• to give support to something so that it can continue to exist in a difficult situation
• to give help, encouragement, or support
• to stop something from falling

Does that sound and feel familiar? We’d like to share some of the ways CHS staff and friends have rallied during this pandemic…

Pop provided by Embrace Church

Our friends at Embrace Church in Sioux Falls wanted the staff at Sioux Falls Children’s Home to know, “We are thankful for you and the service you are providing for kids at CHS everyday, but especially now.”

Because of their kindness, the pop machine at Van Demark House has been set to “Vend Free” so staff can be refreshed whenever needed, compliments of Embrace Church!

The Easter Bunny did not shelter-in-place!

The World Market in Sioux Falls donated nearly all of their “Easter Bunny” inventory to make Easter baskets for all the kids at Children’s Inn and Sioux Falls Children’s Home.

Masks made and/or donated to CHS

When the decision was made that everyone should wear face coverings, an “Ask for Masks” went out to the community. The response was incredible!

The Black Hills Federal Credit Union, Matt Paulson, and Joshua Sopko made it possible for 305 KN95 masks to be distributed among BHCH, SFCH, and Children’s Inn.

Children’s Inn (CI) staff member Jenica Faal donated her time and supplies to make over 100 face masks for CI clients and staff. Friends and family members of other CI staff members also made face masks for staff and clients.

SFCH Volunteer Coordinator Mari DeBerg provided fabric and labor to make 125 masks.

In the Sioux Falls area, masks were also made and donated by:

• Maurice, IA Quilt Club (50)
• Al & Elaine Vanderlaan (30)
• Bernita VanderSchaaf (25)
• Linda Scherer (20)
• Chrysti Protsch (15)
• Mary Doorn (10)
• Lindsay Lindaman (10)
• NAMI SD (10)
• Sandi Beck & Nancy Swanstrom (8)
• Stewart & Cassia Oaks (7)
• Alexandra Fitterer (5)
• Gary & Helen Quist (5)
• Emerson & Jana Conrad (2)

So many good people out there…

Children’s Inn supporter Jan Nelson donated a generous supply of non-perishable food to help clients who are quarantined in hotel rooms.

Color Me Mine gave a nice discount on pottery to paint for the kids staying at Children’s Inn.

Shenanigans Sports Bar & Grill called to ask if they could provide pizza for the school staff at Sioux Falls Children’s Home. (Some decisions are harder to make than others.)

A group of CHS friends provided Hy-Vee gift cards to the families of the 27 day students at the SFCH school. Just a little something to help ease a burden and lift a spirit!

A backyard neighbor of SFCH sent us this image through Facebook after a Saturday rain storm. She added, “From our backyard to yours, a beautiful rainbow after the rain.” We will take it as a sign of the good things to come!

Special efforts by CHS staff and kids

Brandi Tonkel, our Lead Forensic Interviewer at the Child Advocacy Center in Rapid City, usually makes the centerpieces for The Gala at Mount Rushmore event each year. Brandi ordered and received all the flowers and supplies she planned to use, but the Gala was cancelled due to COVID-19. She went ahead and assembled the centerpieces, and with the help of a little girl she is mentoring, they delivered all the centerpieces to hospice centers and nursing homes. This is such a great example of the care for people that extends from our staff to others, even beyond the borders of our agency!

Crystal and Tammy’s classroom at SFCH put up a “Take What You Need” bulletin board, offering words of hope to anyone who passes by!

SFCH Family Therapist Kelly Van Den Berg created an activity to help kids keep connected to their families during this time where no visitors are allowed on campus. She will help the kids make paper tracings of themselves with their hands stretched out. They will “mail a hug” to their family members!

The accompanying poem reads:

I miss you when you’re far away.
I’d love to see you every day.
But since I can’t come over to play,
I’m mailing you a hug today.

So although it might be quite a sight,
wrap my arms around you tight.
Repeat daily to keep your smile bright,
until we get to reunite!

“Hearts at Van Demark” The kids and staff of Upstairs Van Demark wanted to join with the many children and families across the United States who are putting signs of hope in their front windows.

And another “something special” for SFCH day kids and their families— Loving School staff created a greetings collage to let the day kids know they miss them and are thinking of them!

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Maybe you have a “Pandemic Prop-Up” story you would like to share. Or maybe you would like to recognize a co-worker for his/her above-and-beyond efforts during this challenging time.

We would like to continue to feature these stories until we get to the other side of COVID-19. Contact your program’s beat reporter or send to news@chssd.org.