Tyndall, SD

More community support for the Cavalier Corner!  Jim Koenig of Koenig Insurance has put a challenge out to the local business community to support the Youth Center.  Jim will match dollar for dollar each money that the local businesses donate to the Youth Center up to $10,000!  It will be $2,000  a year for 5 years and we will be able to use the donations which were given to start the project.  Jim Koenig is shown in the picture presenting Janet Wagner with the first $2,000 donation.

I am looking for information or input on putting a Boys and Girls Club in Tyndall.  If you have any information about the ups and downs of the organization would you please let me know.  I can be reached either by the blog or 589-3097 evenings or 589-3387 daytime.

“How does the community plan to make sure the entire community supports its plans and actions to reduce poverty? How is poverty reduction addressed in our Community Plan?” These are questions we have been asked by our Horizons team to address.

I am not sure we can MAKE the community do anything. I think we can only offer changes and improvements and promote them to the benefit of the community. Getting the word out is the biggest factor. Regular news articles have been put in the local paper, but if people don’t read the paper, you are getting nowhere! Our parents and schools have to teach children to become involved in their town, read about it, and volunteer to help others. Also, we teach by example: if we help others, our kids see that and they will do the same when they reach adulthood.

The reduction of poverty has been addressed in our community plan in the form of several goals: The public policy committee will be looking at legislation that is affecting our low income residents, the Cavalier Corner offers free access to entertainment and study opportunity in the computer lab, the Bargain Shoppe will be dispensing funds out to local charity after their expenses are paid ( stop in and shop!), and the Community Round-up Program which is just beginning to be talked about, will benefit all and will be an easy way for all residents to give to the local projects. The committee will be meeting with the city council on January 7.

The Fort Randall Telephone Company of Tyndall has come to the aid of the Tyndall Youth Center.  Debbie Bures is shown presenting a check to Janet Wagner, Youth Center coordinator, for $817.08 to pay for internet and cable for the next year at the Youth Center.  This is a great educational and recreational opportunity for all to able to use the computers especially with the semester ending and papers due!  Also pictured are Fort Randall Telephone employees, Duane Bachmann and Harley Haukaas.

Tyndall’s Bargain Shoppe is open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Like all businesses we’re trying to encourage more people to stop and see what we have to offer! Some great bargains have already gone to folks who have come by, and often they are reminded of things they have to contribute. So far we have about 10 people who are serving as clerks. If we get more volunteers we could be open more days of the week. If you are reading this blog and have not yet checked out the Bargain Shoppe, do come by. Thanks.

All who are able to attend the Tyndall city council meeting  to help support the Horizon’s project in establishing the Round Up program please meet at the City Council room January 7,  2008 at 7:45  PM. Hope to see you.

Ron Wagner explaining the economic development plan.

Some of the people who enjoyed the evening.

A cake to celebrate our progress so far.

The Tyndall Horizon’s team hosted a public meeting at the Cavalier Corner on Sunday Nov. 18 to discuss the projects and the steps needed to finish the Horizon projects. Several speakers reintroduced their projects, spoke on the status of the project, and gave credit to the people who have been working on each project. An opportunity was given for anyone who wished to volunteer for a project to sign up for that project and could speak with each chairman about what needed to be done.

The Cavalier Corner have begun the 1st annual fund raising drive to pay for capital investments at the activity center. With Christmas just around the corner, letters were mailed out to the personal of the local communities asking for donations to help reduce the $25,000 capital investment. Donations of all sizes have been coming in for the past 3 weeks and we hope it will continue. It is surprising the people who are willing to donate for something for the youth of the community. Many of the senior citizens of the community see the need for the center and are coming forth with donations of all sizes.

What would you think if someone asked you to stop in to their insurance business and discuss “Do I have a deal for you? I had no idea what Jim Koenig wanted to discuss with me, but it was one of the stops that you are glad you did. He wanted to know if we could get business people in the local communities to donate money to the Cavalier Corner, our youth activity center. For every dollar we have donated, he will match it up to $10,000! It will be spread over 5 years which will give us $2,000 a year for expenses. SANTA IS ALIVE! It gives you a warm feeling knowing that people do care about the youth of their community and are willing to put forth an effort for other businesses to become involved.

Since Horizons began, it seems like more people in the community are aware of the need to help those who are disadvantaged, especially now during the holidays.There already is an existing culture here in Tyndall of helping those who need help, but sometimes there are a few who slip through the cracks and don’t know where to go for assistance.  The establishment of the Bargain Shoppe, for an example, is one big way to provide assistance for those who need to spend less, and also for those who just want a good bargain.  Right now, the Shoppe committee is working on getting the word out.  A flag has been placed by the door to alert people that they are open for business and also an ad and flyers have gone out to the communities surrounding. Now the goal is to get the word out farther.   I think this new endeavor is a huge commitment by the Horizons volunteers who started it and with the support of the Cavalier Corner and the City of Tyndall it will help reduce poverty in our area and show that we mean business. What do you think? Let us know.