The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation received a gift from the Steve Peterson Family of Salem. The gift is in memory of their wife and mother, Cathy. This donation is the lead gift to the Foundation, kicking off “Operation: Mobility,” a fundraising campaign to purchase up to 30 all-terrain track chairs and trailers to be distributed throughout the state of South Dakota.
“The plan is to have the chairs spread throughout the state and available for various outdoor activities including, but not limited to, park and trail enjoyment, hunting, and fishing,” added Kristina Coby, Executive Director of the Foundation.
“Opening day of pheasant season was always like Christmas for Cathy because it brought us all together to make memories,” said Peterson.
However, like with most hunting groups, someone would be unable to join every year due to becoming physically challenged. To help keep these traditions alive, “Operation: Mobility” is working to have track chairs across the state to allow mobility challenged to continue hunting, fishing, or hiking.
In receiving the chair, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Kevin Robling said, “The Department’s mission is to serve and connect people and families to the outdoors one of our core missions is to reintroduce as many of our citizens to outdoor activities as possible. The generosity of families like the Petersons will help us meet this goal.”
The chair donated by the Peterson’s, also known as a “Track Chair,” is the second available for use through the GFP; the first available in eastern South Dakota. Anyone wishing to use either track chair can contact the Outdoor Campus in either Rapid City or Sioux Falls for reservations. The chairs are available for use free to the disabled public.
Left to right: Mark Pederson of Action TrackChair, Steve Peterson, Sec. Kevin Robling, Mike Samp, Pete Samp.
Courtesy photo.
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