CALENDAR

Bringing a Community Together From a Distance

Normally what fills these pages is a list of events coming to Aberdeen and the surrounding area. It’s a preview of events we put together for you to look forward to in the hopes of getting out into the community and enjoying yourselves. However, the current COVID-19 pandemic has prevented us from sharing these events with you in good conscience. Most, if not all, events scheduled leading up to this issue have been cancelled.

Instead, you will find these pages are filled with information about several local outreach programs and organizations that have come together in the community to help those in need in these dark times. Our sincerest wish for this information is to bring positivity and hope to the Aberdeen community, because it is a very scary and overwhelming time for everyone.

 There are plenty of resources available to everyone. Brown County and the city of Aberdeen have made sure of it. The Brown County Office of Emergency Management has worked extensively to create an open channel of communication with the community. Staying connected is important, and that’s why the 211 Helpline has been established. By texting “AlertBrown” to 85511, your phone will receive public impact texts affecting Brown County. The 211 Helpline Center provides up-todate information, assistance in finding food or other basic essential needs, and mental health resources. It also provides a centralized location for organizations and businesses to list available assistance, closures, cancellations, and program restrictions.

One of the biggest concerns many community members fear is food scarcity. It’s tough out there for many. To alleviate some of this financial stress, organizations throughout the Aberdeen community have stepped up.

 Staff members of Mike Miller Elementary pass out breakfasts and lunches to students waiting in cars.

 The Aberdeen School district is continuing to provide their Food Service program. Each student will be able to pick up two breakfast and two lunch “grab and go” meals three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The locations vary depending on the time of pick up. The pick-up locations are at each elementary school from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Lakesides Estates at 11:15 AM to 12:00 PM, and at Park Village at 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM. Menus can be found on the District website.

 The Boys & Girls Club is offering Club Side To-Go, the club’s free meal programs for kids ages 1 to 18. The meal includes lunch and a snack, and it’s offered seven days a week starting at 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Club membership is not necessary to receive this service, but signing up ahead for meals is encouraged so the staff at The Boys & Girls Club know how much food to make. To sign your child up for meals, go to The Boys & Girls Club of Aberdeen Area’s Facebook page and click the link in their post about the free meal sign up.

Staff at the Boys & Girls Club give the thumbs up waiting to hand out food for their Club Side To-Go food program.

 Volunteers at The Salvation Army pass out food to people waiting in their cars.

 The Salvation Army has redirected their focus from feeding children to feeding families in the community who need food. They are serving food out the back door of their dining room everday from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM. People in need of food can stand in line or wait in their cars and have their meal brought to them. Along with the meal, people will also receive a bag of produce and bakery items. The Salvation Army of Aberdeen is also accepting food and monetary donations for their food pantry. Monetary donations are accepted at The Salvation Army office at 1003 Sixth Avenue South West, and food donations should be brought to the pantry doors which face the alley.

 Working together as a community is one of Aberdeen's biggest strengths, and being able to support one another at a distance is such a wonderful thing because there aren't many communities that are able to do so at all. As we continue to adjust to this temporary normal of social distancing, The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce has created a list of restaurants in Aberdeen that are offering to-go and delivery options for meals. This list can be found on their website or their Facebook page. The Chamber also hosted a radio-a-thon as part of their Small Act-Big Impact Campaign on April 8, in which $212,000 of giftcards were sold during the event. This also includes online orders. The goal of this campaign was to create a cash flow for chamber member businesses as they've suffered losses from the pandemic.

Aberdeen Magazine would also like to recognize the services and sacrifices area healthcare workers, first responders, law enforcement, and essential employees are making. Their services will go unrecognized by many, but if it were not for them, we would not be as healthy of a city as we are. Not only are they risking their lives to help those who are sick, but they are actively leaving their families and isolating themselves from them to keep them safe. We would also like to express our thanks to city and state officials who have worked to stop the spread of COVID-19 through legislative and city ordinance means. It’s an incredibly difficult time for everyone, but we are in this together, and we will make it through. // — Karlie Spiry

Aberdeen Aquatic Center

Leisure Pool • Lap Pool with Play Features 3 Water Slides • 380’ Long Lazy River

10th Ave. SE & S. Dakota St.

605-626-7015 www.aberdeen.sd.us/aquatics

Lee Park Municipal Golf Course

1 8 Hole Course | Cart Rental Club Rental | Driving Range Snack Bar | Beer Tee Times Daily Golf Lessons by PGA Professionals

Hwy. 281 North Next to Village Bowl

605-626-7092 www.aberdeen.sd.us/leepark Wylie Park Family Fun Headquarters!

Campground | Storybook Land | Land of Oz Miniature Train | Carousel | Balloon & Coaster Rides Paddleboats & Canoes | Mini Golf | Go Karts Zoo | Bumper Boats | Bike Rentals Hwy 281, 1 Mile North of Aberdeen 888-326-9693 www.aberdeen.sd.us/storybookland