SASD Community Helping Hands Award


The Community Helping Hands Award recognizes a school district and their non-school community partner for their outstanding collaboration in implementing a successful program, project or activity that has generated significant local community involvement and positively impacted the education of children.

2010 Winner 
Spearfish School District & United Way 
of the Northern Black Hills  

The United Way of the Northern Black Hills and Spearfish Middle School discovered a formula to meet the basic needs of students and enabling academics to soar.  United Way partnered with the local food pantry, caring school staff and community helpers to provide a discreet backpack of assorted snacks, canned or boxed mini-meals and fresh fruit on Friday afternoons to young teenagers with growing appetites. The community enthusiastically joined the cause by sending money, knitting stocking caps and scarves and providing clothing.  The Back Pack Program is a positive and powerful tool for nurturing children, energizing the community and reminding that service is the rent we pay for living on this planet.