SDPB Supporter Spotlight, Sustaining Members: Jen, Ty & Aly Moos, Webster, SD

Jen and Ty Moos are originally from Helena, Montana. They relocated to South Dakota in 2006 for Ty’s job as a fisheries biologist for SD Games, Fish & Parks. Jen is a social worker who works primarily with the elderly. She has also been active with volunteering for a local hospice, Webster Public Library’s children’s programming, the Day County Arts Center, and helped initiate Webster’s city recycling program.

The Moos household recently cut the cord.

“We only have our antenna, which gets four PBS stations, and we find that quite fulfilling. Whether we want to watch the news, something cultural for music, or celebrate a holiday, watch something family-oriented that provides good information, we just turn on SDPB.”

For their five-year-old daughter, Jen says she is especially appreciative that public broadcasting is commercial-free. “When my husband and I were growing up, we saw so many commercials that can affect your self-image: feeling like you had to fit in, you had to drink or be the pretty girl or not eat your meal. Those aren’t messages we want in our home for Aly. I feel like PBS has not just cartoons but kidfriendly, positive, affirming messages, like, ‘You are wonderful the way you are,’ and ‘What do you like about yourself?’ and ‘Let’s talk about racial equality.’ Just so many positive things!”

Watching Nature on SDPB is a Moos family tradition. “Almost every Wednesday night, we all gather our evening treat, sit on the couch and watch with awe at the Nature program offered on PBS. The quality is so amazing and it’s very important information. It teaches our daughter to care about our environment, all the plants and animals that make up the ecosystem and makes science very ‘cool’ in our home.”

Jen says the programming is very meaningful to their family.

“We’re not paying anything for the antenna, but it’s worth enough to me that I want to make a monthly donation to make sure we’ve got it in our home and that we’re supporting it. We’re very proud to partner with South Dakota Public Broadcasting.”

Interested in becoming a sustaining member? Friends of SDPB at (605)677-5861 or email friends@sdpb.org. P.O. Box 5000 | Sioux Falls, SD 57117 Visit SDPB.org/friends for more info.