Eureka, SD

Federal Home Loan Bank Des Moines honored Eureka with the “South Dakota 2008 Capital Community” designation. A banquet given by FHLB was attended by about 160 guests on October 1. Every person in attendance was invited and honored because of their involvement and volunteerism in the community. A program was highlighted by Curt Heidt and Bob Perez of Federal Home Loan Bank, and congratulatory letters read by staff assistants of Sen. Tim Johnson, Sen. John Thune and Rep. Herseth Sandlin. Steve Jorgensen from Great Plains Bank and Wanda Jundt of the Eureka Community Development Company spoke about community involvement.

A $15,000 award was presented to the Eureka Community Development Company. The group will use the money for updating their website, signage for the community and future community projects. ECDC honored five very active youth groups in the community by presenting them with Pay It Forward awards. Each of the five groups (FCCLA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Eureka area 4-H and Eureka area scouting-Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts) were asked to stand in groups in the room with their advisors. Each group was then given a certificate for $1,000 and asked to use it in ways to help the community. As plans are made each group will meet with the Eureka Community Development Company, explain their plans, and receive the actual money at that time. Those future meetings between youth groups and the community development group will enable those involved to get to know each other better and work intergenerationally.