Aiming to Inspire Health Fundraiser Nets Over $19,000 for Birth Center Equipment

  • August 15, 2016

For the second consecutive year, Hunter Neuman won first place in the Youth category at Brookings Health System Foundation’s sporting clays fundraiser. The fundraiser raised over $19,000 to purchase neonatal resuscitation equipment for Brookings Health System’s OB unit.
For the second consecutive year, Hunter Neuman won first place in the Youth category at Brookings Health System Foundation’s sporting clays fundraiser. The fundraiser raised over $19,000 to purchase neonatal resuscitation equipment for Brookings Health System’s OB unit.

A record-setting 33 teams registered in Brookings Health System Foundation‘s seventh annual Aiming to Inspire Health sporting clays fundraiser on Thursday, Aug. 11 at Medary Creek Hunt Club, rural Aurora, S.D., presented by First Bank & Trust.

Net proceeds of $19,637 will help purchase three new infant warmers for New Beginnings Birth Center, providing top-of-the-line neonatal resuscitation technology.

“When the newly expanded hospital opens in 2017, we want newborns at Brookings Health System to benefit from the latest technology,” said Foundation Director Barb Anderson. “Thank you to our sponsors, participants and volunteers whose involvement supports the future of health care in our community.”

Approximately 130 participants took turns completing the nine-station sporting clays course, aiming for a perfect individual score of 50. Three youth teams were underwritten by Ardelle Roberts, Back in Motion Chiropractic, Brother’s Pharmacy, The Exchange, Owens & Minor and US Foods.

“This competition helps us improve our skills,” said Dane Wika, member of the Brookings Bobcat clay target team which placed second at the 2016 state tournament. “We are already looking forward to next year.”

Winners from the event include:

  • First Place Adult Team: 141; Big Dogs (defending champions): Rich Widman, Conor Rude and Terry Wieczorek all of Brookings, S.D. and Mark Widman (Tea, S.D.)
  • First Place Adult Individual, Tie: 44; Danny Faber (Aurora, S.D.) and Conor Rude
  • Second Place Adult Individual: 42; Rod Brandenberger (Brookings, S.D.)
  • First Place Youth Individual: 41; Hunter Neuman (defending champion) (Brookings, S.D.)
  • Second Place Youth Individual: 40; Landon Moe (Brookings, S.D.)
  • Drawing, Individual Participant: Chad Bachman (Brookings, S.D.)
  • Drawing, Team: Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Deer Creek Station #1
  • Ghost Clay Drawing: Dane Wika (Brookings, S.D.)
  • Lowest Individual Score: Jamin Bridge (Coleman, S.D.)
  • Top Score Station Eight: Jim Kramer (Brookings, S.D.)
  • Early Bird Drawing: Fereidoon “Fred” Delfanian (Brookings, S.D.)

Defending champions Big Dogs took first place in the Adult Team category at Brookings Health System Foundation’s seventh annual Aiming to Inspire Health sporting clays fundraiser. Pictured from left to right are team members Terry Wieczorek, Conor Rude and Rich Widman. Not pictured: Mark Widman.
Defending champions Big Dogs took first place in the Adult Team category at Brookings Health System Foundation’s seventh annual Aiming to Inspire Health sporting clays fundraiser. Pictured from left to right are team members Terry Wieczorek, Conor Rude and Rich Widman. Not pictured: Mark Widman.

Along with the competition, Brookings Health System Paramedic Wendy Long, provided a hunter’s first aid demonstration including hands-only cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

“This is the first time I’ve seen a demo showing the hands-only CPR technique,” said Keith Gorter, event participant from Sioux Falls, S.D. “I hope I never have to use it, but this helps us be prepared, just in case.”

In addition to First Bank & Trust, event sponsors included Runnings; US Foods; Thompson Electric; Banner Associates; Kerry’s Landscaping & Irrigation; Dacotah Bank; Helsper, McCarty & Rasmussen; Kraus-Anderson Construction; Avera Medical Group Brookings; Larson Manufacturing; Valero Renewables; Dimensional Insight; Kjergaard Sports; Scheels; Barrett’s Flooring & Decorating; Metropolitan Mechanical; Kone Elevator; Jensen Masonry; Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill; Sanford Brookings Clinic; Syverson Tile & Stone; Briese Iron Works; Clites Electric; FM Acoustical; Owens & Minor; HyVee; Outlaw Graphics; CDW-G; Central Business Supply; Allegra; Gas N Mor; Brookings Register; Swiftel Center and Walmart.

The following businesses sponsored adult teams: 3M Brookings; Regional Home Builders; Twin City Fan; Brookings Auto Mall; Deer Creek; WW Tire; Iberdrola Renewables and MG McGrath. Six teams were organized by individuals including three teams of SDSU employees.

For more information about Brookings Health System Foundation please contact Foundation Director Barb Anderson at (605) 696-8855 or foundation@brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System Foundation

The mission of Brookings Health System Foundation is “Inspiring people to support Brookings Health System through philanthropy, recognizing the vital role of local healthcare in sustaining quality of life in our community.” Gifts to the Foundation support charity health care for those less fortunate, health and wellness education, facility, equipment, and technology upgrades and other needs as they arise at Brookings Health System. For more information about Brookings Health System Foundation or how you may contribute, please contact Foundation Director Barb Anderson at (605) 696-8855 or foundation@brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic, Arlington Medical Center, White Medical Clinic and Volga Medical Clinic. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, surgical and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.