Spearfish volunteers still answering the call to service

But fire department, civic clubs always looking for new members

By toM LaWrence

Special to The Pioneer Businesses across the country report difficulty finding employees. How about organizations that rely on unpaid help — volunteers?

A 2022 report from Gallup said volunteering had not recovered from pre-pandemic levels for either religious organizations or other charities.

“Thirty-five percent of Americans report volunteering for a religious organization in the past year, down slightly from 38 percent in 2020 and well below the 44 percent from 2017,” it reported. “The current figure is the lowest in Gallup’s trend, although not meaningfully different from 37 percent readings in 2008 and 2009. Forty-seven percent of Americans say they volunteered their time for a secular charity in the past year. That is slightly higher than the 43 percent measured in 2020 but still down from 50 percent in 2017.

In the Northern Black Hills, agencies have mixed reports on volunteering. While the Spearfish Fire Department strives to keep its volunteer numbers up, other local organizations say they continue to be supported by locals willing to pitch in and help even without being paid for it.

The city of Spearfish has numerous opportunities for volunteers. They can donate their time to work at the Spearfish Recreation and Aquatics Center, the Spearfish Public Library, for parks and recreation, the police department and the fire department. Applicants must fill out a form on the city website to apply.

In addition, volunteer opportunities are occasionally available for the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Advisory Board, Library Board of Trustees, Council on the Arts and Humanities, Historic Preservation Commission, Arts in Public Places Committee and Planning Commission.

Heath Brown, the fire department’s recruitment and retention coordinator, is one of three full-time paid employee employees, along with Fire Chief Scott Deaver and wildland fire Capt. Travis Eddy. Two or three full-time wildland firefighters are hired each summer as well.

But the majority of the work is done by volunteers, who are paid a modest stipend for each fire, accident or incident they respond to, Brown said. There are about 50 volunteer firefighters now, he said, but the department is constantly recruiting. It would like to have about

60 on staff and ready to answer a call.

“Sixty is what we go for. Even then, it depends on how they can respond,” Brown said. “A lot less people can respond during the daytime. Even with 60 who can only go during the night, it can leave us a little short-handed.”

The department responds to an average of between 300 and 400 calls a year, he said, everything from fires to vehicle accidents, rescues and search and rescue calls. They put in a minimum of an hour a week for a meeting or training, but responding to calls can add up to 20 hours a week or more.

Sean Davis of Spearfish said while his specialty is driving a truck — he works as a ready-mix concrete driver for Croell — he does what is required at each fire.

“As a firefighter you’ve got multiple roles,” Davis said. “You really don’t know who’s going to show up for a fire. You’ve got to know it all. It’s different with a volunteer department.”

That means sometimes he’s at the wheel of a fire truck, other times he is pulling a hose or headed inside a burning structure.

Davis has been a firefighter for a year. He almost joined a department in Kansas City, Mo., almost two decades ago, and kept the dream alive in the back of his mind.

A couple years ago, Davis, 41, went through a “midlife crisis,” he said with a laugh.

“When I turned 39, I decided to get my CDL. I always wanted to drive a truck,” he said. “And I thought I could put it to use for the benefit of the community, being able to drive a big truck.”

He works for Croell during the day, but truly enjoys his time with the fire department. He said he bonded with the other new firefighters he trained with, and has found the veteran firefighters to be friendly and welcoming.

Turnover is a constant factor, Brown said, as firefighters retire, die, choose not to remain with the department or move away. That’s why finding new members is a crucial part of his job; he is paid through a grant to recruit new firefighters.

Another factor is firefighters who cannot get away from their jobs to respond to a call.

“That’s a big issue we have,” Brown said.

He understands companies are dealing with worker shortages as well, so it’s difficult for them to allow employees to leave and answer a fire call. So he keeps trying to sign up new members.

“In the last year, we’ve had four volunteers, maybe five volunteers come in,” Brown said. “We need to keep numbers steady. We’re always recruiting.”

The department approaches businesses and Black Hills State University to find firefighters, he said. It also is building a new training facility to interest people, Brown said.

“We’re toying with new ideas and new ways to incentivize people to join our department,” he said. “But we’re kind of relying on the people to do more, do more with less people.”

Davis said he relishes the chances and the challenges. The firefighters rely on each other and develop incredible camaraderie.

“I love it. I think it’s great. It’s truly something I look forward to, whether it’s just a meeting or going to a fire with my brothers and sisters,” he said. “It’s a tight-knit family.”

That attitude is one reason many people volunteer.

The National Day of Service and Remembrance was created in 2009, as the federal government wanted to encourage the public to honor the victims by making a difference in their communities.

MyGoodDeed, a nonprofit that represents a coalition of service organizations, advocated for National Day of Service and Remembrance. In 2019, it reported that more than 30 million Americans participate in some way each year, making the holiday the biggest event on America’s charitable calendar.

Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit faith-based organization providing local human service programs and opportunities for individual and community involvement.

Laura Hamm works at its Rapid

City office. The organization, which was founded in 1896, opened a Spearfish location on Thursday, March 2.

Hamm said VOA does “a variety of things,” including supporting people who are HIV-positive, assisting veterans, aiding the homeless and families in poverty, operating a food pantry and Mommy’s Closet, which has diapers, wipes and formula for kids 5 and under.

“We’ll have volunteers come in and package wipes and diapers for a month,” she said. “We’re always open to new ideas.”

Volunteers of America also does Point In Time, an annual census of the homeless that is required by the U.S. Department of Housing of America. The data is provided to South Dakota Housing.

Hamm said the pandemic did not impact their volunteer numbers too much.

“Most of our volunteers were willing to follow COVID procedure and things like that,” she said. Why do people volunteer?

“I think it’s a combination of things. We have a very strong mission and people believe in that mission,” Hamm said. “I think people really believe in that and want to be part of the solution. We work with a lot of service organizations.”

To volunteer, go to https://www. voanr.org.

Cindy Riley, an SDSU Extension 4-H Youth program assistant based in Belle Fourche, said they still have a dedicated group of people willing to help kids.

“Our volunteer base is holding pretty strong,” Riley said.

The new 4-H year started in October, she said, and about 85 to 90 volunteers in Butte and Lawrence counties are actively involved. They work with young people on programs involving livestock care and management, shooting sports, sewing, food and nutrition, visual arts and more, including chicken embryology classes.

Riley said the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t reduce the number of volunteers. She did not witness a shortage of people showing up to assist kids.

“We actually didn’t,” Riley said. “We stayed pretty strong during the pandemic.”

Janelle Jones, past president of Spearfish Kiwanis Club, said their membership has declined in recent years.

“I would say the numbers are down,” Jones said. “We juggle the way we do things.

She said winter is particularly challenging.

“This time of year, we have a lot of snowbirds,” Jones said. “We notice that this time of year.”

Spearfish Senior Center volunteer Bonnie Fugate said several people continue to support the cen - ter by donating their time.

Fugate, 90, was working as a greeter on Monday, Feb. 27, when she discussed why she volunteers. She enjoys being around people, and likes to help, she said.

Before moving to Spearfish, Fugate volunteered at the senior center in Brecksville, Ohio. Now, she regularly goes to the local senior center at 1306 N. 10th St. to offer a helping hand.

Fugate said the Spearfish Senior Center serves a lunch on the first Friday of the month for people 50 and older marking their birthdays that month, and offers a fundraising breakfast for anyone 50 and older interested and hungry on the fourth Saturday of the month.

Caramel rolls and coffee are served every Thursday morning, according to Executive Director Stephanie Crago. Three rummage sales are held annually, and 30-40 volunteers work together to make that a success.

The center, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, is busy during the day with people playing cards — “cards are big here,” Fugate said — shooting pool and talking. Lectures, dances and other programs are offered on a regular basis, she said.

“We do real good,” she said.

Fugate said there is a core group of people who volunteer. Crago said it’s hard to come up with a number, but dozens of people, including many of the center’s 400 members as well as community members, lend a helping hand.

The center was closed for most of 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, but when it reopened, the volunteers were there, she said.

“We have really committed members to our senior center,” Crago said. “They couldn’t wait to get back to doing what they do and serving the community. We just live in such a great community here. People over 50 are more social, they grew up being social.”

She said while younger people spend a lot of time online and socialize and communicate that way, older folks are more interested in getting together in person.

“My seniors are more face-toface,” Crago said. “I never really lost those people like others say they did.”

With over 50 years of legal experience, Johns and Kosel Prof. LLC Law Office is dedicated to the preservation of a citizen’s constitutional rights and will fight to represent you. If it is important to you, it is important to them. Engaged in the general practice of law, Johns and Kosel Prof. LLC Law Office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attorneys Timothy R. Johns and Joseph M. Kosel provide the following services: appellate advocacy, business law, constitutional law, contract law, criminal defense, family law, mediation and arbitration, wills, trusts, probate, and estate planning. Johns and Kosel also has several notary publics available.

Joel & Molly Blair were both born and raised in Western South Dakota. They opened MJ's Market in 2021 after moving back home to Belle Fourche. They have an awesome selection of toys, gifts and other unique options. CBD is also one of their top categories. In addition to these they carry skin and hair care, makeup, dental and shave items, cards, cleaners, laundry, pet, first aid, vitamins, medicines, CBD products. They carry local brands as well as national brands such as the Naked Bee, Burt's Bees, Mrs. Meyers, Dr Squatch, Covergirl as well as tons of others.

Men, women, and kid’s apparel with a Western flare! There is something for everyone in our store. We pride ourselves on knowing we supply the best apparel and customer service. Located at 506 State Street in Belle Fourche we are celebrating 5 years of being in business in our storefront. We have created a store that will give each person a true Western experience and leave them happy they stopped by. Bring the whole family to get outfitted for the spring & summer seasons. We look forward to meeting you! (605) 892-9089 www.cowboystoo.com

Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel And Gaming Complex

The Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex offers super slots, great prizes, fantastic meals, and unique lodging experiences. Voted Best of the Black Hills for card tables, slots, prizes, casino, & Legends Steakhouse, guests can stay in historic hotel rooms, enjoy a meal at Legends Steakhouse or the Silverado Grand Buffet, and take in all the gaming Deadwood has to offer — all at one complex. Setting the Silverado Franklin apart and making it even more unique are employees with friendly, smiling faces who are always willing to help. Stop by and see us at 709 Main Street in Deadwood, call us at 605-578-3670, or