Giving Thanks 2007

"Where has this year gone?" may be a cliche but it certainly is a valid question this year. It doesn't seem like it should be Thanksgiving already. But, it is. Another cliche says that time flies when you are having fun and when you are busy. I guess that explains how this year has gone by so fast.

We have been busy and a lot of incredible things have happened over the past year for which we should be thankful. A lot of good people have come forward to help get some very positive things happening for the LGBT community in South Dakota and in the nation.

The Center West officially opened its doors in January with grants from the South Dakota Department of Health, The Bush Foundation and many generous donations from friends and allies throughout South Dakota.

A cross section of bipartisan, gay and straight citizens of South Dakota came together to form Equality South Dakota and the Equality South Dakota Political Action Committee joining forces with the Centers for Equality to "secure, protect and support the rights and well being of LGBT South Dakotans and their families." to everyone who helped to get this organized and to those who have agreed to be on the respective Boards we say thank you.

To all those great people who have made donations and invested in The Centers for Equality, Equality South Dakota and the Equality South Dakota Pac a big thank you. Without the support of the community none of this could exist.

To all those people who donate monthly or make periodic donations thank you because it helps us to plan and expand our services to the community.

To everyone who donated time and energy to The Center West, to the Pride Festival, the Aids Walk, the men's socials, the dances and to the other events and daily activities we thank you for your commitment and dedication to making this a better community for us all.

To all our straight friends and family members who have supported, helped and donated, all too often in greater amounts than the LGBT community itself, we say thank you and bless you for going above and beyond what could be expected. Your support, your friendship and your dedication to us is what makes the real difference and the real social change.

We have had some funding cuts in our grants for next year. But, I am confident that with the support of the community we can build an even better Center to provide for the needs of the LGBT community our friends and families. For that I am truly grateful and say thank you to everyone.