At EmBe, we are

Empowering women

and families to

enrich lives.

PAGE 2 The New Bus is Here!

Women’s Leadership Program set to launch 5th year.

PAGE 3 Giving Tuesday

Fun Happenings!

PAGE 4 Sneak Peak at our New Playground Design

We need your Help!

Meet Our New Board Members

PAGE 5 FIRST® LEGO® League

Fun Happenings!

Spotlight on Philanthropy

PAGE 6 Letter from the CEO

Fall 2015 | EmBe.org

Donor Gifts Are Having Impact

Steve Tripp and Tim Donohue, representing the Independent In-

surance Agents, present a $10,000 check to EmBe for Aquatic

Safety Programs.

Water Safety. The past

summer months were an

unfortunate reminder of how

quickly water accidents

happen. The Independent

Insurance Agents of Sioux

Falls want to help change that.

Their $10,000 gift to EmBe will

ensure that more individuals

are given the opportunity to

become lifeguards and that

more youth and adults will

learn to swim, without regard

to their ability to pay.

Ryan Fischer, EmBe Wellness

Director is ready to share more

Transportation. Ivy Oland Dandar, Amanda

Feldkamp, and Margaret Carmody, 2012 EmBe

Women’s Leadership Graduates, hosted a fundraiser at

the Dandar home to raise funds for a new bus to safely

transport children at EmBe. The fun filled evening

brought in over $5,000, which was significant to being

able to purchase the bus. It was also a great way for

this group of leaders to connect with classmates and

friends!

Rural Childcare. The Sioux Falls Area Community

Foundation recognized the importance of rural childcare

through a $7,500 Community Builders grant. The grant was

used to position West Nidaros Lutheran Church as a

childcare site. Students in Crooks and Baltic now have

access to a full-day summer and before- and after-school

program — the first in the area.

Board member Alex Halbach and guest Jennifer Schmidtbauer

The 2015 Annual Fund Drive Surpassed its

$100,000 Goal! Thank you!

information if you are interested, or know someone who would benefit by this gift. Call

(605)336.3660.

Fall 2015

New Bus Making A Difference

A bus is critical to our ability to safely transport all of the children in our childcare and preschools. The bus allows children to experience field trips that enhance their education and cultural knowledge. It is especially integral in our before and afterschool programs, during a time of day that is critical to our working parents.

In September, we drove the new bus to Sammons Financial to personally thank them for their generous $25,000 gift. Seeing their employees and our children together enjoying the new bus was one of the many highlights of our year.

EmBe received 55 applications from local women interested in participating in the next class of the EmBe Women’s Leadership Program and 25 will be chosen to begin the program in early January 2016.

Like all of EmBe’s programs, the leadership program requires the support of donors as part of its success. The 16-month program fee is one-third the actual value of the program because donors and sponsors participate, making it affordable for any woman seeking to enhance her leadership capacity. Each year, EmBe seeks individuals and organizations to partner in the development of leaders and impact not only the women, but our overall work community.

For more information on the program, or how you can help, contact Erin Bosch, Women’s Leadership Director at (605)336.3660 or ebosch@embe.org

Sioux Falls Morning Optimist Club Supports Girls

Girls from Hawthorne Elementary and the Boys & Girls Club will benefit from a $3,600 gift received from the Sioux Falls Morning Optimist Club. The gift supports two volleyball teams for the 2015-2016 EmBe Volleyball League seasons, allowing ten girls in grades 3-6 to take part in the ten week program at no charge. The gift also makes sure each girl has a new pair of tennis shoes, knee pads, socks, team t-shirt, a medal and transportation to and from their weekly games.

EmBe’s 2015 Women’s Leadership Class

2016 Women’s Leadership Program Seeks Support

Charitable giving is a tradition for many, especially during the holidays and at the year– end. Like everything, times have changed and today’s giving strategies not only provide tax benefits, but also choice.

As you consider your seasonal giving, consider these options.

Donate appreciated securities. The immediate tax deduction can help you avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciated portion of its value.

Donor-advised funds (DAFs). Think of this as a charitable checking account. DAFs provide the benefits of a private foundation, with less cost, work and time commitment. An irrevocable contribution to the fund provides an immediate tax deduction and creates proceeds that can be directed to your favorite organizations.

Charitable remainder trusts (CRT). This popular, irrevocable trust provides an income source while living and a contribution to your designated charity(s) at death.

Charitable lead trusts (CLT). Similar to the CRT, you gift an asset which then funds a portfolio, but the CLT reverses the payout order. The charity receives the annual income for a set timeframe and the remainder passes back to the donor or other beneficiaries.

Gifting life insurance. If you have a policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, you can maximize a charitable gift and minimize exposure to estate taxes by transferring ownership to a charitable organization or naming the organization as beneficiary. There are other strategies as well.

Charitable gift annuity. The donor contributes cash or assets and is entitled to a charitable tax deduction for a portion of the donation. The charity agrees to pay a fixed sum to designated recipients annually and retains any remaining funds.

Volunteering. It feels good to give back! Plus donating your time can give you an insider’s view of an organization, its people and practices.

Everyone’s tax situation is unique and the codes can be complex. Please work with your financial and tax advisors first to determine how best to give using some of these options.

———————————————————-

Black Friday…. Small Business Saturday…. Cyber Monday…. Giving Tuesday! Following the mad dash to the stores, the long lines for

deals and endless holiday shopping, we have a global day dedicated to giving back.

On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, charities, fami-lies, and businesses around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give—and we invite YOU to be part of our day! Watch for more information about EmBe’s Giving Tuesday Campaign.

Giving Can Brighten a Holiday Season Fun

HAPPENINGS

EmBe journeyed up to Milbank, South Dakota to host a community discussion on gender equity!

In Dialogue—Milbank

A Cupcake Thank You

Our development team delivered delicious

cupcakes to the amazing volunteers who

helped us with our Annual Fund Drive this

summer!

Giving is Easy at

EmBe

Make Your Gift Online:

Go to www.embe.org and click

on the DONATE button

Mail a Gift:

EmBe 300 W 11th Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Make a Gift by Phone:

Call (605)336.3660

To learn more, contact Ashley

Thompson, Development

Director at (605)336.3660 or by

emailing athompson@embe.org

New Campaign Will Focus on Outside Play Leslie Owen Wilson, professor of educational psychology and theories of learning in the School of Education at the

University of Wisconsin notes that children who regularly spend time playing outside often have enhanced sensory skills,

more easily notice and categorize patterns end exhibit stronger creativity than children who spend most of their time

indoors. There is also evidence that shows playing outside is particularly restorative to children in stressful situations

and for those children who struggle with depression. It is also evident that outdoor play also has a positive impact on

childhood obesity and physical health. For all of these reasons and many more, we at EmBe are committed to providing

quality outdoor play and education experiences to the 450+ children cared for at our EmBe facilities.

Giving Tuesday will launch a campaign to raise $150,000 to build a play and educational area surrounded by a track at

the EmBe South Childcare and Preschool location and

to improve the equipment and play surfaces at the

downtown facility. At this time, an empty grass area

and a small preschool play environment are all that

exist for children at our largest facility, at EmBe’s South

location. A small, sand-based play area currently exists

for children downtown. Our children deserve improved

outdoor play areas and the benefits it provides.

Call Ashley Thompson, at (605)336.3660 for more

information about this important project and how you

can help us make it a reality for our children.

Fall 2015

Stephen Bianchi - Steve earned a BS in Finance and an MBA from Providence College in Providence, RI. Since October 2011, he has served as President/CEO of Home Federal Bank in Sioux Falls, a $1.15 billion publicly traded, full service community bank with 23 locations in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. Prior to Home Federal Bank, Steve worked for two large national and regional banks for the bulk of his 29 year banking career. He has served on many community boards and is currently a Sioux Falls Junior Achievement board member. He enjoys spending his time with his children and playing hockey and golf.

Lisa Irvine - Lisa is the Vice President of Internet Marketing at PREMIER Bankcard in Sioux Falls. She has been with PREMIER in various capacities for 19 years. Lisa received her BA from the University of Sioux Falls. She has been involved with several community boards. Lisa and her husband Jeff have two sons. She enjoys time with her family, travel and camping.

Sonja Theisen- Sonja earned her Masters and B.A. in Accounting from the University of South Dakota. She is the Chief Accounting Officer for MetaBank in Sioux Falls. She is currently involved in P.E.O., Junior Achievement, Lutheran Social Services Mentoring Program, Meta Women’s Network and has served on other community boards. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, traveling, attending sporting events, and running.

EmBe Welcomes New Members to Board of Directors

The proposed new play area at the EmBe South Childcare and Preschool.

Fall 2015

FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) is a national organization that became affiliated with

EmBe in March 2015. FLL is a robotics program designed to get children excited about science, math and technology – and teach them valuable 21st century life skills. In FIRST

® LEGO® League, kids design and program a LEGO® Mindstorms robot. They research challenges facing today’s scientists. They learn critical thinking, team building and presentation skills. They exercise their creativity and innovative thinking….all while having a lot of fun!

Each year, a new project challenge is announced and teams from across the nation work to solve a “real world” problem within the subject area. This year’s challenge is called “Trash Trek”. Challenge FLL teams will explore the fascinating world of trash. From collection, to sorting, to smart production and reuse, there is more to your trash than meets the eye. Join FIRST

® LEGO® League teams on a Trash Trek to discover the hidden (or not so hidden) world of trash!

Over 65 teams of students ages 9-14 across the state of South Dakota will engage in the 2015 season and participate in regional and state competitions!

For more information about how to get involved, contact Stacy Stahl, Girls and Youth Director, at sstahl@embe.org

FIRST® LEGO® League Trash Trek!

Our Camp CEO girls learned about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) during two summer sessions.

Over 70 community members joined us at The Bakery to discuss SD gender equity during the summer In Dialogue Series.

In Dialogue: On Gender Equity

Girls in STEM

ANNUAL GIVING $25,000+ Midland National Life Sammons Financial Fred and Mary Stahmann Family Fund $10,000-$24,999 Component Manufacturing Company $1,000-$9,999 Cathy Clark Cutler Law Firm Kris and Steve Egger Dan and Arlene Kirby $500-$999 Jeannie and Burke Blackman Alex Halbach Bunny and Michael Howes Jami and Kent Metzger Oh My Cupcakes! Ruth and Dr. Rodney Parry Dr. and Patricia Sampson Sioux Falls Cosmopolitan Club Nancee and Tim Sturdevant $100-$499 Burns Moving & Storage Margaret Carmody Beth Davis Mary Hansen

Linda Hartman Jessica Heath Ann and Joe Henkin Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Cindy Holm Sherena and Russell Kost Rosanne Krier Michelle Lounsbery Jim Mathis Janet Matthiesen Richard Molseed Judy Morstad Kristi and Robert O’Connell Gloria Peterson Sarah and Steve Sarbacker Jennifer Schmidtbauer Carol Twedt Tom and Lynne Zimmer Up to $99 Krista Bohlen Erin and Nathan Bosch Rebecca Carmody Kris Denevan Natalie Eisenberg Shaylee and Matt Healy Diane Helin Anna Johnson Amanda Masterson Sherri and Dan Rotert Mary Sand Jessica Schultz

Amy Spartz EMBE 5K $1000 + Spectrum Marketing AQUATICS $12,000+ Mary K and Jerry Moen Up to $99 Dana Haan CHILDCARE $1,500 to $5,000 Fred and Mary Stahmann Family Fund GIRLS ON THE RUN/HEART & SOLE $1,000 + Fishback Financial/First Bank & Trust Modern Woodman of America Up to $99 Meyerink Farm Services, Inc. IN HER SHOES Up to $99 Wellmark Foundation

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM $1,500+ Fishback Financial/First Bank & Trust $100-$499 Margot Hood Rogers FIRST® LEGO® League $1,000 to $2,500 FIRST®

Fred and Mary Stahmann Family Fund Fishback Financial/First Bank & Trust Midcontinent Communications Omnitech up to $100 Electronic Systems Inc. GRANTS Bush Foundation for The Art of Hosting Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation for West Nidaros Before and After School Program LET ME RUN $100-$499 Karen and Jarrod Lang

TRIBUTE TO WOMEN $2,500 + Fishback Financial/First Bank & Trust YOUTH RECREATION $1,500+ Sioux Falls Morning Optimists $250-$499 Larisa Deery Amy and Shawn Lensing State Farm Agency Jason Ahrendt IN KIND Kristi and Rick Christensen Midcontinent Business Solutions

QUARTERLY SPOTLIGHT ON PHILANTHROPY These donors supported EmBe with a gift received July 1, 2015—September 30, 2015.

All efforts are taken to reflect that this information is accurate. Please contact us if information is not correctly stated.

To live is not to

live for one’s self;

let us help one

another.

EmBe Avera Downtown

300 W. 11th Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Label correct? If not, let us make it right.

Please call Mary at (605) 336-3660

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE

PAID SIOUX FALLS, SD PERMIT NO. 438

A Q U A T I C S • C H I L D C A R E • H E A L T H & W E L L N E S S • W O M E N ’ S P R O G R A M S • Y O U T H P R O G R A M S

Laurie Knutson

CEO EmBe

Giving Tuesday is “Joyful” Tuesday

Throughout the holiday season we find ourselves running in many directions and perhaps feeling more

stressed than blessed. We have conversations about how we’re going to eliminate certain commitments and

expectations during the season as a means of slowing down and focusing on the season itself and the joy it

can bring.

While it may seem somewhat commercialized because it is a nationwide effort, the first Tuesday in Decem-

ber, Giving Tuesday, is one of those opportunities for us to celebrate the season and participate in the joy it

can bring. Giving Tuesday allows us to join together in support of causes and people that make our commu-

nities and world a better place.

Research shows that we are much happier individuals when we give of ourselves to others; whether it be

time, talent or finances. I’m hopeful that you already know this feeling and the joy that comes from reaching

out.

December 1 is national Giving Tuesday. Whether

your support is to EmBe or another favorite charity,

may you find joy in your participation!

Laurie Knutson

EmBe CEO

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