Aiming to Inspire Health Fundraiser & Raffle to Raise Funds for a New Ambulance

New UTV Featured as Raffle Grand Prize

Brookings Health System Foundation will hold the 15th annual Aiming to Inspire Health fundraiser, presented by First Bank & Trust, on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Brookings Gun Club, rural Brookings, S.D.

Proceeds from the 2024 clay target fundraiser and raffle will support the purchase of a new advanced life support ambulance. 

“Emergency medical service vehicles undergo significant wear and tear when responding to 911 calls,” said Ambulance Director Gordon Dekkenga. “To avoid critical failures that could impact a patient’s life, we must regularly replace ambulances. The new advanced life support ambulance will help our emergency medical services team continue to deliver critical, life-saving care.”

Families, businesses, youths and adults are encouraged to participate in this year’s fundraiser. Registration is $300 for adult four-person teams and $250 for four-person teams of youth under 18. Adults and youth may also register individually. This year’s clay target tournament at the Brookings Gun Club will include a 50-round sporting clays course with ammo sponsored by Runnings of Brookings. Mulligans will be available for purchase. Additional outdoor games and activities will also be available. 

Registration includes 12- or 20-gauge ammunition and a meal from Midwest Fresh Catering, sponsored by Sanford Health Brookings Clinic. Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded. To register for this year’s clay target tournament, please visit brookingshealth.org/AIH. Registration deadline is Thursday, Aug. 1. 

In conjunction with the tournament, Brookings Health System Foundation will also hold a raffle sponsored by Brookings Powersports and Runnings of Brookings. The raffle grand prize is a 2025 Polaris Ranger 1000 premium utility terrain vehicle (UTV) from Brookings Powersports. Valued at $17,999, the UTV features a 61-horsepower engine, 2,500-lb. towing capacity and 1,000-lb. box capacity. It also includes a 4,500-lb. winch with synthetic rope and a factory-installed roof. Please note, winner is responsible for sales tax, vehicle registration fees and dealer document fees.

Additional raffle prizes include: 

• Second Prize: Black Benelli Nova 12-gauge hunting shotgun donated by Runnings of Brookings
• Third Prize: 25-quart Igloo Trailmate cooler, spruce color, filled with snacks from Runnings of Brookings

Only 650 raffle tickets will be sold, costing $50 each. Drawing will occur at the end of the clay target tournament and participants need not be present to win. Tickets may be purchased online at brookingshealth.org/Raffle or by calling Brookings Health System Foundation at (605) 696-8045. 

For more information on event sponsorships, please contact Foundation Director Brittany Venekamp at (605) 696-8045 or foundation@brookingshealth.org. For more information on the Foundation, please visit brookingshealth.org/Foundation.

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 & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. 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.

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 Brittany Venekamp at (605) 696-8045 or foundation@brookingshealth.org.