Yankton event declared a huge success with more than 350 volunteers

South Dakotans show up in droves for final event of the year

Gather4Good® is sponsored by Catholic United Financial

Based in St. Paul, Minn., Catholic United Financial is a life insurance and financial products cooperative serving 80,000 Catholics in the Upper Midwest since 1878. As a not-for-profit, Catholic United transforms its profits into purpose, bringing together members, employees and community volunteers to pursue its mission through local grants, post-secondary education scholarships, service opportunities and more. For more information about Catholic United Financial, its Foundation or Credit Union, call 651-490-0170, 1-888-568-6670 or visit us online at www.catholicunitedfinancial.org.

YANKTON, S.D. — On October 2nd more than 350 volunteers came together at St. Benedict Catholic Church, forming a sea of blue t-shirts across the parish grounds. Large groups of up to 30 people were coordinated from surrounding communities like Parkston, Dimock, and Mitchell and we saw volunteers arriving from as far away as Adrian, MN. This team of generous volunteers helped to pack 2,000 personal care kits in just under an hours’ worth of time!

The care kits, which contained basic hygiene items to get by, were distributed to agencies in South Dakota that help people face a variety of struggles like homelessness and domestic violence. All 2,000 kits were accounted for and distributed to groups like Yankton Homeless Shelter, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City, and Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota.

In addition to the community service project taking place, volunteers were able to enjoy balloon creations, music from a local musicians Mike Hilson and Jay Gilbertson, and a lunch of hot dogs that were generously donated by the local HyVee.

The event was Catholic United’s first-ever in South Dakota and the most attended Gather4Good® to date! The hard work of the local Parish Volunteer Team and Catholic United Financial Sales Representatives sales team — Angie Jorgensen, Candee Cloos, Jay Fritzmeyer, David Schonhardt, and Butch Byer — played a huge role in making the day the success that it was.

We again want to thank everyone involved in our last Gather4Good® of 2016! The over-whelming support and attendance from the people of Yankton is much appreciated and ensures that the spirit of giving and community are alive and well in South Dakota. To learn more about bringing Gather4Good® to your community or to volunteer at future events, visit www.gather4good.org.