On Thursday, June 30, players from the Rapid City Rush Hockey Team and Miss South Dakota appeared at the Black Hills Community Bank to participate in the last day of the month-long Diaper Drive for Dear Ones. Anyone who brought in a box of diapers or made a monetary donation could have their photo taken with the players, Nugget the mascot, or Miss South Dakota, resulting in an autographed photo on the spot.

The goal for the drive was 20,000 diapers or the equivalent in cash; it was calculated that $10 would buy 50 diapers and $20 would be the equivalent of 100 diapers. The Community Involvement Committee (CIC) members of the bank decorated the lobby with a baby shower motif, complete with baby blankets, bottles, and even a tricycle made out of diapers. All the diapers and money raised was then donated to Cornerstone’s Dear Ones Child Care. Here’s how Jack E. Lynass, president/CEO of Black Hills Community Bank, described the effort:

“Earlier this year a Cornerstone Rescue Mission Board member mentioned the Dear Ones Child Care and told me a story that captured my interest. The story involved a young woman that relocated to Rapid City to escape an abusive situation. She arrived with her two young children, homeless and little to her name. She contacted the Mission and was able to secure food and housing. She wanted to work and provide for her children, but couldn’t find employment that paid enough to cover her day care expenses.

“She met with the staff of Dear Ones Child Care and was informed that she would qualify for their child care program. She immediately found a new job with advancement possibilities and checked her

30 Main St. PO Box 2188

Rapid City, SD 57709605-341-2844

Fax:605-718-2332csrm@cornerstonemission.org

September 2011

Community gets behind Diaper Drive for Dear Ones

Diaper Drive continued on page 3

A volunteer youth group with Rush hockey players.

Nugget, the Rush mascot, and Anna Simpson, Miss South Dakota.

Just what is the value of a volunteer, immeasurable for sure. One little girl recently proved that theory. Ten-year-old Emily is a student at Robbinsdale Elementary. She first donated to the Women and Children’s Home by using her allowance money to buy candy bars, which she then sold to friends, family, her church, neighbors, etc. For her next fundraising effort she placed bags and a little note asking for food donations on at least 60 doors in her neighborhood, which raised more than $400 in groceries. Emily said she chose Cornerstone because if she and her mother were ever homeless she would hope people would help her as well. She also watches the news and learns about poverty and homelessness in school and said she wanted to make a difference. In the eyes of the women and children of Cornerstone she is a rock star and we are sure we will see more of her.

Another recent example of the value of volunteers is a group of boys volunteering through the Youth Works summer program. Their youth leader recently sent an email to Cornerstone’s volunteer coordinator, which said, in part:

The boys and I had such an incredible time serving with you at the mission and in the thrift store. They will remember it for a long time, it had a big impact on them.

What kind of impact? They were moved by the positive energy of you, Jim, Karen and all those serving at the mission. They were moved by the people being served. They realized how much stuff we buy and casually throw out. They were impressed by the generosity of the community in donating so many items. The theme of “Be Different” (like Jesus taught in Luke 6:27-28) was lifted up by learning to not judge others, to not worry about what other people think, and to serve with love.

Stories like these abound when people reach down into their hearts and give what they can to help others. Cornerstone Rescue Mission survives during these difficult financial times not only because of the generous gifts of money, but because of the time and energy shared by our most valuable people—our wonderful volunteers. God bless you all!

The Value of Volunteers

Remembering Our City’s HeroesCornerstone Rescue Mission joins the rest of our community in mourning the loss of

Officer James Ryan McCandless and Officer Nick Armstrong.

We pray for continued healing for Officer Tim Doyle and for the families of Ryan and Nick. We are so grateful for their service to our community and to the least of these and the needy here at the Mission.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯

Emily delivering the first of the groceries to the Women and Children’s Home.

Youth Works boys sorting (and trying on!) Thrift Store clothing.

MeN’s MissiONCoffee/creamer

OatmealDrink mixes -any kind

SugarCheeses – any kind

Ground porkBulk breakfast sausagesPlastic soup/cereal bowlsCuisinart Food Processor

(Side Shooter)

VeteRANsPhone cards, bus passes

Boots, shoes, tennis shoes (new or used) sizes 10 through 13Underwear, size XL

ApARtMeNtsBulk Laundry & Dish Soap

Paper towels, napkins, tissue, toilet paperShower curtains, rods, & rings

Gas cardsBus passes

DeAR ONes ChilD CAReBaby wipes

White paper towelsDish soap (both kinds)

WOMeN & ChilDReN’s hOMe

Adult bike rack & bicycles (travel to and from work)

Salt & pepperSugarCoffeeMeat Milk

Feminine Products (pads only)

thRift stORePlastic storage binsLarge rubber bands

Grocery bagsKleenex

Hand sanitizer (anti-bacterial soap)

Needs list

children into Dear Ones. She worked hard and advanced quickly in the business. Eventually she was able to secure an apartment and provide food and clothing for her children on her own. She is no longer receiving Title 19 assistance, and very proud to be self sufficient. “This would have never happened without assistance of the Cornerstone Mission and the special program of Dear Ones Child Care. The bank’s CIC decided to help raise money for the day care and came up with the Diaper Drive. The press, including the local TV stations, helped spread the word and the community came out in force to help the cause. We raised a total in donations of money and diapers amounting to the equivalent of 22,842 diapers. We intend to make this an annual event and proudly support the Cornerstone Mission and Dear Ones Child Care.”

Cornerstone’s Dear Ones is now serving other children in need from Full Circle, Bright Start, Behavioral Management Systems, Department of Social Services, WAVI, and of course, our own children from the Cornerstone’s Women and Children’s Home, along with the children from the Cornerstone Apartments. The babies and toddlers from Dear Ones Child Care want to thank everyone who participated in the Diaper Drive from the bottom of their…hearts!

Diaper Drive continued from page 1

Pioneer Bank & Trust is sponsoring two drop boxes for school supplies and Cornerstone needs list items during September and October.

stop by either 2001 W. Omaha street or 2018 Mt. Rushmore street to make your donation. Thank you!

2011 Cornerstone Board of Directors

Sam Fischer, PresidentFischer Furniture

Dr. Chad Carpenter, Vice PresidentCarpenter Dental

Dick McConnell, SecretaryArchitect

James CastleberryExecutive Director,

Cornerstone Rescue Mission

Greg BarnierAttorney at Law

Fred ErdmanDoug’s Sinclair

Dr. Dan FranzRCMC Family Medicine Westside

Dr. Mark Harlow

Cameron HumphresDirector

Rapid CIty Regional Airport

Dr. Joseph KiefferKieffer Family Dental

Emily LarimerClinical Nurse Educator, VA

Ron McLaughlinPastor, Hills View E-Free

Beverly Schoenstedt, RN RC Regional

Dexter Wittman

pleAse MAKe CheCKs pAYABle tO CORNeRstONe ResCUe MissiON(The enclosed envelope is for your convenience. We are serving more people every day. Your help is appreciated!)

stand Up and stand strong On August 6 Stand Up and Stand Strong, a nonprofit group from Mesa, Arizona held a fundraiser for the Cornerstone Rescue Mission’s Veterans Program. The event included a motorcycle ride through Spearfish Canyon, a salute to all veterans, a barbecue and the chance for several veterans organizations to come together

and support homeless veterans. An open microphone allowed one of our current residents to tell his story of how he came to the Mission and how in such a short time he was able to find gainful employment. Another former resident and current staff member who participated in the motorcycle ride told his story about how our program was instrumental in helping him find a good job, an apartment and a vehicle. His story brought many in the crowd to tears and many came and shook hands and wished him well and thanked both for sharing their stories.

We were honored to receive a donation of $1,000 from Stand Up and Stand Strong for our veterans program. Thank you for your helping hands and a special thanks to Tom and Valerie Steinhagen of Stand Up and Stand Proud–Helping Homeless Veterans…one ride at a time.

Shop at the Cornerstone Thrift Store any Wednesday or Saturday in September.

For every clothing item purchased you’ll get one free of equal or lesser value!

WanT To donaTe genTly uSed CloThing iTemS? Bring them in during September and you’ll

get a coupon for

50% oFF your next purchase.

Back to School on a BudgeT?Back to School on a BudgeT?