On Saturday, March 3, 2018 nearly 200 guests enjoyed an incredible gourmet meal, wide array of refreshments and opportunity to bid on unique live auction packages at the 24th Annual Gala at Mount Rushmore. Rotary Club of Rapid City Rushmore sponsored the entertainment-Cowboy Brad Fitch, emceed the event, and assisted with event planning and coordination. Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. donated the meal, beverages and auction packages and National Park Service staff chipped in to provided top-notch service during this elegant evening in the newly-renovated dining room. In addition to serving as a “Thank You Celebration” for Diamond and Gold Sponsors of the Rushmore Rotary Black Hills Children’s Home Golf Tournament, this event is on track to raise more than $29,000 this year to support Children’s Home Child Advocacy Center (CAC).

   CAC provides expert forensic interviews of children who are alleged victims of sexual and/or physical abuse or who have witnessed violence. Children’s Home Society established CAC with the support and involvement of law enforcement agencies, the medical community, United States and State Attorneys and court services. In addition to forensic interviews for children, CAC provides family support services and abuse prevention programs. (www.chssd.org/cac)
   Since 1989 Rotary Club of Rapid City Rushmore, partner businesses, golfers and guests have raised nearly $1.5 MILLION DOLLARS to support Children’s Home Society programs in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Each July this club hosts a fundraising golf tournament and every March they host the Gala event. In addition to all the complimentary admissions for the Gala that are part of the Diamond and Gold Golf Sponsorships, the GALA itself has raised over $415,000! Rotary Club of Rapid City Rushmore has been a vital supporter of Children’s Home Society for nearly 30 years!

   (L-R:) Laura Hawkins, Tiffanie Pietro and Brandi Tonkel. Laura was the very first forensic interviewer and Rushmore Rotary guaranteed her salary for three years to enable the program to get started. Tiffanie and Brandi are the current interviewers. By creating this program we help to protect children who had been sexually abused from repeated interviews. It has been a tremendous assistance also to law enforcement in handling these cases.
   Save the dates for upcoming events: 29th Rushmore Rotary BHCH Golf Tournament is Monday, July 30, 2018. The 25th GALA at Mount Rushmore is Saturday, March 16, 2019.