There was life Before COVID (BC). And after the pandemic arrived, we’ve seen what many folks would call COVID Ruins All Plans (CRAP). 

One of the biggest impacts of the latter at the Sioux Falls Children’s Home campus is the rule prohibiting visitors and volunteers from coming onto campus. It means no tours, no indoor parent visits and no volunteers. (Of course, it’s also meant that we haven’t had any COVID spread on campus—only isolated cases.)

While staff and children have adjusted to our new reality, it’s also left gaping holes that were formerly filled by volunteers. In fact, much of the enrichment for children was provided by these volunteers.

Managed since 2012 by Volunteer Coordinator Mari DeBerg, the volunteer program has brought an astonishing array of options and activities to campus. These include:

Individual Volunteers

• Big Buddies
• Birthday Cake Bakers
• Campus Religious Leader
• Christmas Volunteers
• Community Based Services Volunteer
• Cosmetologist
• Dining Hall Decorator
• Ethnic Hair Braiding
• Foundation Volunteers
• Unit Grandmas
• Grounds Volunteers
• Hula Hoop Instructor
• Art Room Donation Organizer
• High School Student Classroom Volunteers
• Pet Therapy
• Private Music Lessons
• School Reading Tutors
• Pre-K/Kindergarten School Volunteer
• School Library Volunteer
• Scrapbooker for Foster Child
• Seamstress
• Soccer Instructor
• Speech Therapy Students
• Sunday School Teachers
• Sunday School Art Teachers
• Unit Buddies
• Weighted Blanket Maker
• Weighted Stuffed Animal Maker
• Yoga Instructor

Group Volunteers

• Monthly Birthday Parties
• Pizza Parties
• Campus Clean Up
• Christmas Gift Wrappers
• Mini Sports and Dance Clinics
• First Day of School Ice Cream Treats
• Bike Repair
• Day at the Zoo
• Christmas Program Hair Styling
• Country Fun Day (Farm Visit)
• Spring Party
• Car Show and Ice Cream Floats
• Fundraising Event Volunteers
• Quilters
• Grocery Store Tours and Nutrition Information

Everyone hopes that volunteers will be allowed back on campus soon. Mari expects some of her previous volunteers will not return.

Many groups and individuals express interest in volunteering. "I’m very picky about who I take as a volunteer," Mari says. She interviews potential volunteers at length, and has no qualms about gently turning away people who aren’t a good fit.

Comments like "I just want to hug them and it will fix everything," "I don’t want to work with kids who are mean" or "I was abused, I can tell them what they need" are red flags to Mari.

"I’m protective," Mari says. "Not only of the volunteers, but protective of the children."

Once the campus opens, employees should feel free to refer groups, friends or family interested in volunteering to Mari.

Watch for stories on volunteers at other CHS locations in the coming months.