Saluting Heroes
South Dakota Salutes is honoring first responders, veterans, and their families through meaningful support and lasting impact.

Born out of an idea between friends, South Dakota Salutes is building on our state's long history of support for first responders, veterans, and their loved ones.
Each year, South Dakota Salutes holds a marksmanship competition at Hunter's Pointe Shooting Club to show appreciation for first responders and raise money for their grantmaking activities. The two-day event provides fun, food, and community for first responders, military veterans, and their families. "We wanted to do something to show them appreciation in a way that they can see and feel," said Tony Bour, co-founder of South Dakota Salutes.
Money raised at the event funds the other two pillars of South Dakota Salutes: the Loss of Life Fund and the Special Projects Fund, both held at the Community Foundation. The Loss of Life Fund provides cash assistance to the families of first responders killed in action. "Originally, we wanted to put on a great event for our first responders, but we raised far more money than expected, and had a surplus after that first event," said Bour. "That's when we came up with the Loss of Life Fund."
When tragedy strikes, South Dakota Salutes aims to get assistance to the family as quickly as possible, usually within just a few days. "Dealing with the loss of a loved one is excruciating in itself, but the reality of the financial situation sets in quickly," said Scott Korsten, board member and volunteer for South Dakota Salutes. "By getting the check to them quickly, it helps with that immediate financial situation, and shows that the community is there to support them."
As South Dakota Salutes' presence in the community began to grow, they were approached by a local business owner with a challenge: raise even more money to support rural volunteer fire departments. "We loved that idea," said Bour. "To find a paid fire department outside of the larger cities is unusual. Our volunteer fire departments need all the extra help they can get."
Volunteer fire departments have only recently started to receive state funding, and it's not nearly enough, says Bour. South Dakota Salutes' Special Project fund is working to fill the gap left between existing funding sources and what is truly needed. Many volunteer departments are dealing with insufficient, outdated, and worn equipment. "For example, we helped one department purchase a jaws of life," Bour said. "Before that, they would have to call in people with tractors and chains to pull cars apart and get people out. Now they have the proper equipment."
The Community Foundation is proud to partner with South Dakota Salutes and help them carry out the incredible work they are doing to support everyday heroes. "Working with the Community Foundation lends us credibility," said Bour. "And it also makes it so easy for us to run our operation, knowing our donations and grants will be taken care of — we don't even have to think about it."
South Dakota Salutes has been making a real difference in the lives of first responders and their families for nearly a decade, and they show no signs of slowing down. "The reality is, first responders are doing the best they can, but we can do a lot more to help them," Korsten said. "It's a way to say 'thank you' to the brave individuals who put their own lives on the line to save others."