Representatives of the Spearfish American Legion family (Post 164) addressed the board on May 12 and presented a $250 check to support the district’s lunch program while summarizing a range of youth and community programs that partner with schools.

Micheline Nelson introduced the American Legion family’s members and said the organization values its relationship with local schools, noting “you open the doors to us for the programs, and then we try to help with different things, too.” Kevin Plunder (identified in his remarks) described the group’s “Shop with the Veteran” activity: “Shopping with the veteran is just like kids and cops. You know? We wanna make sure those kids have a good Christmas,” he said, recounting a visit where veterans and volunteers took a single parent and three children shopping, wrapped gifts, and later visited the family dressed as Santa and an elf.

Carol Howitz (American Legion member) outlined Americanism and youth programs that the organization funds and supports. She described Boys State — a five‑day government role‑playing program at Northern State University in Aberdeen — and said the post pays fees for students to attend. She also described the oratorical competition (scholarship opportunities at local and state levels), the Youth Trooper Academy and an educator‑of‑the‑year recognition the post sponsors.

The Legion reported a school supply drive that yielded “over $1,500 of school supplies” for distribution to schools, and Plunder said the group donated $250 for lunch funding. The presenters also noted the Legion’s sponsorship of local baseball teams (teen and senior teams) and a longtime Boy Scouts charter (Troop 17), and they invited staff and families to informational flyers left at the meeting.

Board members and attendees thanked the Legion representatives. A district representative publicly acknowledged the donation and the Legion’s ongoing partnership with the schools.