Foundation Week Recognized

Another dog was rescued in the middle of the night with the new Humane Society's van. The kids received a standing ovation at their summer youth theater production. It got late, but the new lights at the soccer field enabled the game to go on. The Watertown Police Department welcomes Thera Dakota as its new addition to the K-9 unit. Next summer, you'll be wowed by the newly renovated bear exhibit at the zoo.

What if none of the above was true? What if the Watertown Community Foundation didn't exist? The above is a sampling of the many projects that were supported this year through the Foundation. But the truth of the matter is: You make the difference. We make it possible.

The Foundation reflects over the grants of not only this year, but 30 years prior, with gratitude to the donors who make it happen. The key to improving the quality of life in Watertown, however, is that no matter how many great things have been accomplished, there is still so much more we could do. With the season of giving just around the corner, the Foundation humbly asks for your continued support.

During November 12-18, the Watertown Community Foundation joined more than 700 community foundations across America in acknowledging Community Foundation Week. For more than 20 years, the effort has raised awareness about the increasingly important role of these philanthropic organizations in fostering local collaboration and innovation to address persistent civic and economic challenges.

"In a down economy, with limited resources, and a growing need for services to help those in need, we are more determined than ever to bring our community partners together to find innovative and effective solutions to some of our most challenging social problems," said Jan DeBerg, WCF executive director. Watertown is stepping up and getting more creative in how people provide needed support during tough times.

"We are proud of the commitment and creativity in this community to find new and better ways to improve the lives of our neighbors. Foundation Week in America is an opportune time to raise awareness about the increasingly important role of the Watertown Community Foundation," DeBerg added.

Launched in 1989 through a proclamation by former President George H.W. Bush, the first Community Foundation Week included a congressional briefing about the work of community foundations throughout American and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to address community problems and improve the quality of life in their communities.

New Dog & Officer Ellis In Training

The Watertown Police Department will be welcoming Thera (pronounced Terra) Dakota to its K-9 Unit after she completes four more weeks of training with officer Kirk Ellis in Alabama.

Thera Dakota is a Malinios and just shy of 2 years old. She comes from the Czech Republic. Officer Ellis has commented to Police Chief Jo Vitek that Thera works hard and with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Every morning she greets Ellis by standing on her hind legs and walking and dancing to him about 40-50 feet!

Thera comes to the department after the sad loss of police dog Hondo who served Watertown for nearly three years.

The Watertown Police Department wholeheartedly thanks the Watertown Community Foundation for its grant from the Endres Donor Fund and other donors for making Thera possible.

Tails Wagging At Humane Society

The sound of more than 24 barking dogs isn't exactly music to one's ears, but it does represent a job well done by the Glacial Lakes Humane Society.

The animal shelter is currently full and that's not unusual, said GLHS Executive Director Donna Rapinchuk, who has been with GLHS for the past 12 years. The 24 barking dogs are echoed by about 40 cats. "We're obtaining dogs and cats at a higher clip than ever since I've been there," she said. It's hard to pinpoint the reason for this, but it is likely due to several factors including the economy, the good reputation of the local shelter and higher efficiency with the help of a new van. Donors of the Watertown Community Foundation supported the van purchase with a grant of $9,000.


Since acquiring the van in February, the Humane Society has answered 116 calls. "The van makes everything easier," Rapinchuk explained. "It and the shelter are a safe harbor for animal control strays in the city and county. And without the Watertown Community Foundation's help, we would not be able to provide the level of service to the community that we do."

The GLHS is on call 24-7, 365 days of the year. Some animals are merely lost, some are dropped off at the shelter, while others are dropped off in a country ditch. Still, others are picked up to assist law enforcement officials upon making an arrest of a pet owner.

While sad circumstances may bring an animal to the shelter, many success stories can be told.

Rapinchuk recalls picking up a dog on a Wednesday, earlier this year. "I noticed she was pregnant that Friday and by Sunday we had puppies." All, including the mother are now at good homes.

Other happy endings occur almost on a daily basis as a wandering pet is usually unintentional.

"The best part of animal control," she said, "is returning a lost pet to their owner."

While at the shelter, the animals are loved and cared for wholeheartedly. During a typical day GLHS employees take the dogs to the outside kennel during which time the inside kennels and cat cages/area are thoroughly cleaned. All this, including repapering cages, feeding, watering and bathing the animals is done while answering calls and assisting customers.

"We save the fun jobs for the volunteers" said Rapinchuk. They walk, groom or play with the cats and dogs or pass out treats/toys to them. There could never be enough volunteers, she said as Rapinchuk and Assistant Manager Amber Kennedy are the only employees. Rapinchuk treasures volunteers and encourages more dog/cat lovers to visit GLHS. Those without an accompanying parent or guardian should be 12 or older.

Non Profits Attend School

Roberta Donahue (far right), MBA, CFRE, instructs about 30 non-profit executives during "Fund Raising For Small Non Profits." The Watertown Community Foundation was able to offer the course from The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University The Fund Raising School, due to a grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation. Attendees learned about various fund raising strategies and trends and more. The class was held at Lake Area Technical Institute. Our thanks to LATI for providing classroom space for us.