August 27, 2022 was a highly anticipated day for Youth & Family Services (YFS) staff as well as hundreds of individuals throughout the Black Hills and across the nation. Thousands watched in-person, on television, and online as McPherson Auction & Realty announced the winner of YFS’ 1953 Chevrolet truck raffle.

In December of 2021, Mark, Jeff, and Joan Fullerton generously donated a gleaming, custom 1953 Chevrolet 3100 pickup to YFS. The siblings’ wish was that YFS would sell raffle tickets for the truck in order to raise funds to create an endowment through Youth & Family Services Foundation. The earnings from the new endowment would provide consistent and ongoing financial support for YFS’ Fullerton Farm and Garden Education Project.

In 2014, Dale and Jackie Fullerton (Mark, Jeff, and Joan’s parents) donated a three-acre plot of land that later become known as YFS’ Fullerton Farm. Located in Box Elder, SD, Fullerton Farm is part of YFS’ Garden Education Project which is intended to help children and their families achieve better health through increased access to and consumption of nutritious foods. YFS’ Garden Education Project addresses food insecurity and provides hands-on, multicultural learning opportunities for youth to develop an understanding of how nutrition helps keep their minds and bodies strong. In addition to focusing on basic nutrition concepts and new tasting and growing experiences, staff have dedicated a significant portion of our curriculum and garden space to discussions around the farmer-to-consumer food system, environmental issues, and sustainability.

With guidance and support from the Fullertons, YFS staff moved forward with the raffle and aimed to sell 1,000 tickets at $100 each for this classic truck. If staff were successful in selling every ticket, the raffle would generate $100,000 for the new endowment. After YFS staff spoke with Todd and Kevin McPherson about the raffle, the brothers were more than willing to help YFS announce the winner on August 27 during the McPherson car auction at Kool Deadwood Nights.

Throughout the early part of the year, YFS staff showcased the truck and sold tickets at in-person events and through YFS’ website. The support and participation from the community was wonderful! Thankfully, by the morning of August 27, all but five tickets had been sold. The remaining five tickets were raffled off, live, during McPherson’s auction at the Deadwood Mountain Grand during Kool Deadwood Nights. Those five tickets raised more than $16,000 for YFS!

After the final five tickets were auctioned off, Dorothy McPherson—Kevin and Todd McPherson’s mother—selected the winning raffle ticket from the raffle drum. Several seconds later, it was announced that winner of the 1953 Chevrolet was Black Hills local, Todd Hanson of Hermosa, SD.

“Funds raised from this raffle are going to make a significant impact in the lives of children for years to come,” stated Connie Olson, YFS’ Chief Development Officer. “We are so pleased that because of the generosity of the Fullertons as well as everyone who participated in this raffle, children in our community will grow up with access to fresh foods and receive the education they need to grow into strong, healthy adults.”

Todd and his wife, Lois, eagerly picked up the truck from YFS on Sunday, August 28. Todd shared he was excited to have won the truck, and will appreciate having it at his home. As he drove away, Todd gave staff a big smile and a wave as he honked the horn and headed towards home.