{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=081231F1-31E5-4A62-A1A9-C0A4CC12A5B3", "Weekly Column: Joy of Giving", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I am the epitome of your last-minute shopper.\u00a0 Bryon and I usually know what we\u2019re getting the kids weeks in advance.\u00a0 But between going to school Christmas programs, decorating the house, addressing Christmas cards, and finishing up legislative work for the year, the purchases are typically made just in time to get the gifts wrapped.\u00a0 As parents know though, the joy of watching your kids (no matter how old they are) tear open those gifts on Christmas morning makes all the stresses of shopping worth it.\u00a0 It\u2019s perhaps the best reminder we have of the age-old adage:\u00a0 It is better to give than to receive.\u00a0\r\nFor many in South Dakota, the joy of giving is shared not only during this season, but throughout the year.\u00a0 In fact, 35 percent of South Dakotans spent time volunteering in 2013, according to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Services that was released last week.\u00a0 When you add it all up, we spent 21.5 million hours serving others that year and what a powerful message that sends.\r\nOf course, only a small portion of South Dakota\u2019s sense of giving can even be quantified by the hours we spend volunteering. \u00a0I am still struck by the viral video of Carol Flynn purchasing diapers for the young mother ahead of her in line at Wal-Mart.\u00a0 And the story of the young girl from Mitchell who donated some of her toys to the kids in Wessington Springs after a tornado swept away all they knew.\u00a0 And the nine-year-old girl who heard that Rainbow Bible Camp near Sturgis had lost 90 horses in Winter Strom Atlas and sent the camp $28.39 \u2013 mostly in coins \u2013 to help them recover.\u00a0 She said in her letter to them, \u201cI thought you might need this.\u00a0 I\u2019ll try to get more.\u00a0 Every bit counts.\u201d\r\nThese actions by individuals are only enhanced by the generosity of the many, many organizations in South Dakota dedicated to serving their community.\r\nThis year, the Toy Industry Foundation donated 500 toys to three of these generous local charities \u2013 the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Sioux Falls, the Children\u2019s Home Society in Sioux Falls, and the Northeast South Dakota Head Start Program in Aberdeen \u2013 after I was named a \u201cChampion of Play\u201d for my work in Congress.\u00a0 The donation enables children who are victims of abuse, suffering from illnesses, or living in poverty to give and to receive.\u00a0 It shows them that there is a community surrounding them that wants them to succeed \u2013 that wants them to find joy.\u00a0 Truly, a special gift.\r\nThis holiday season, it is my hope that you experience the incredible joy of giving.\u00a0 From my family to yours, merry Christmas.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=081231F1-31E5-4A62-A1A9-C0A4CC12A5B3"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8417358621954918, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}