Thriving Together: Fall Into Community Connections
Fall is such a beautiful season, filled with brilliant colors, crisp mornings, and the occasional reminder that winter isn’t far behind! As the leaves change and the temperatures drop, it’s a gentle reminder that while we sometimes wish things would stay the same, the world continues to change around us. And just like the seasons, our community continues to grow, adapt, and offer new opportunities to connect.
Speaking of opportunities, the Thrive Community Calendar is bursting with activities to enjoy with family and friends or perhaps even meet a few new ones! From fundraisers and community meals to educational programs and entertainment, there is certainly no shortage of things to do in Yankton.
Did you know you don’t have to be a Thrive member to add an event to our community calendar? Simply visit yanktonsd.com, click the “+” sign in the upper right corner of the calendar, and complete the event submission form. With some recent staffing changes, our team will have less time to enter events on behalf of organizations, so we’re encouraging event organizers to take a few minutes to submit their own. And please don’t forget the soup kitchens! Those are a personal favorite of mine!
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, Yankton Thrive and the Vermillion Chamber are partnering with Think 3D to offer a high-impact training session designed for leaders, business owners, and anyone interested in personal and professional growth. This 4.5-hour event will be held at Culture Cove in Meckling and costs just $10. That’s a tremendous opportunity to invest in yourself. Space is limited, so I encourage you to register soon through the Thrive website.
On Thursday, Oct. 29, Jesse Bailey from United Way and I will be speaking at the quarterly joint service club meeting in the south dining room at Mount Marty University. Hosted by Rotary, Optimists, Lions Club and Sertoma, this event is open to the public at no charge, with lunch available for purchase. These quarterly gatherings are wonderful opportunities to hear what’s happening throughout our community, ask questions, and connect with people who are working to make Yankton a better place. I always appreciate the chance to share what Thrive is working on, but equally important is hearing what’s on the minds of our community members.
Another important opportunity to participate in our community is the upcoming general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. With numerous candidates and ballot issues to consider, I encourage everyone to take a little time to become informed before heading to the polls. The South Dakota Secretary of State’s website, sdsos.gov, is a great resource to review ballot information and learn more about the issues. You can also take advantage of early voting if Election Day doesn’t fit your schedule. One local issue worth understanding is the Yankton County Road and Bridge Levy. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it’s important to understand what is being proposed and how the outcome could impact our community.
At Yankton Thrive, we also want to help voters become familiar with the people seeking to represent our region. Our “Coffee with the Candidates” interviews, available at yanktonsd.com, provide an opportunity to hear directly from our District 18 legislative candidates and learn more about their perspectives and priorities. Local and state government decisions influence everything from infrastructure and education to workforce development and economic growth. Taking a few minutes to research the candidates and issues is a worthwhile investment in the future of our community. An informed and engaged community is a stronger community!
As we move toward the holiday season, I also want to offer a friendly reminder about the importance of shopping locally. Our small businesses are an essential part of what makes Yankton special. They provide jobs, support local organizations, sponsor youth activities, and contribute to the character of our community. When we spend our dollars locally, those dollars have a much greater opportunity to circulate throughout our economy. And let’s not forget that sales tax revenue helps fund many of the public services and amenities we all enjoy.
If you’re looking for an easy holiday gift, consider purchasing Thrive Bucks at the Thrive office. They can be redeemed at more than 40 participating businesses throughout the Yankton area. It’s a simple way to give someone the freedom to choose their own gift while keeping those dollars right here at home. Whether it’s a meal at a favorite restaurant, a little shopping, or a service from a local business, Thrive Bucks are a gift that benefits more than just the recipient.
Another meaningful gift idea is making a donation to a nonprofit organization in someone’s honor. Yankton is fortunate to have an incredible network of nonprofits serving people of all ages and needs. Whether your passion is helping newborns, supporting seniors, caring for animals, expanding educational opportunities, or enhancing community resources like the Yankton Community Library, there are countless ways to make a difference. A donation in someone’s name can be a thoughtful gift that continues giving long after the holidays have passed.
Sometimes we underestimate the impact of the small decisions we make every day. Attending a community event, volunteering an hour of our time, shopping at a locally owned business, or making a donation may not seem like much individually. But when hundreds of people make those choices, the collective impact is significant. That’s how strong communities are built — not necessarily through grand gestures, but through consistent acts of participation, generosity, and support.
As the leaves fall and another season of change surrounds us, I encourage you to look for a new way to engage with our community. Attend an event you’ve never experienced, introduce yourself to someone new, visit a business you haven’t explored, or support an organization doing good work.
After all, a thriving community isn’t something that just happens around us. It’s something we all help create. And that’s something worth celebrating in every season!
Nancy Wenande is the CEO of Yankton Thrive.
