ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – Avera Health announced a $150,000 donation to Presentation College during the college’s Black & White Ball Saturday, Feb. 29.
The Sisters previously announced that they would match all donations at this years’ ball, so, effectively, the gift will become $300,000. “[We] saw an opportunity at the ‘Once in a Blue Moon’ Black & White Ball to make a ‘Once in a Blue Moon’ gift,” said Sister Janice Klein, PBVM, President.
Avera recognized the opportunity for their gift to become more as well. “Investing in our colleges is investing in our future,” said Debbie Streier, Vice President of Operations. “Avera greatly benefits from the education that students receive at Presentation College. These students walk our halls as employees in many departments. Nursing, radiology, business, athletic training and nurse practitioners are just a few of the degrees that have benefited Avera St. Luke’s.”
Both Avera Health and Presentation College have grown out of one foundation that is an integral part of the Aberdeen community. That foundation is the Sisters willingness to meet needs of the community by first answering the call to be teachers and then responding to the call as healthcare workers when the diphtheria epidemic struck Aberdeen.
“Health care was not known to the Sisters, but they understood that the community needed them. They converted their classrooms to sick wards and served the community until the epidemic ended,” Streier said. “So, from one foundation – the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary – flourished two ministries that have had and continue to have great impact in our community and region.”
The donation will be used in the area of greatest need for the college and will provide scholarships for students. Both Sister Klein and Dr. Paula Langteau, Presentation College President, said they hope the funds raised at this year’s Black & White Ball will make higher education more accessible to students who might otherwise not have the same opportunities.
“The community of Aberdeen truly showed up to support PC, and we are deeply honored and grateful. So many individuals and organizations reached out to us with silent and live auction items, gifts, services, and help to make the event an evening to remember. We are thankful to Avera, a fellow member of the Presentation Family, for leading the way with a substantial investment in the growth of Presentation College. And we are especially humbled by the tremendous generosity of the Presentation Sisters, who matched every single gift. This was, by far, the most successful Black & White Ball in our college’s history,’ Dr. Langteau said.