Chad is the winner of SALT! He purchased his ticket at County Fair in Mitchell, SD.

Have you ever considered the power of a few granules of salt?  They have a dramatic effect. When one of the Abbott House girls suggested the custom designed bike be named Salt, it was a perfect fit.  Salt has been used as a perservative for centuries.  Salt, the motorcycle named, designed and customized by the Abbott House girls under the direction of Laura Klock, is changing and preserving the lives of South Dakota girls -- just like we use salt in our daily lives.  Listen to Salt's story.

Thanks to our leading industry sponsors:

Klock Werks Kustom Cycles,
Gear Wrench,
Lindby Custom, Inc.,
Vance & Hines,
the Vance Family Foundation,
Mustang Motorcycle Seats,
Paul Holdsworth of IronWorks Magazine,
Wizards, and
Carl Brouhard Designs. 

Thanks also to our local sponsors including
Graham Mobile,
BBBB Distributing,
County Fair,
County Fair Food and Fuel,
Highland Travel Plaza, 
Arnie’s First and Foster, and
the Sweet Shoppe in Mitchell,
and Al’s Oasis in Chamberlain. 

This project raised nearly $72,000 and will be used to replace funding lost due to the weak economy and decreases in the federal government budget.

Right before the 2011 Festival of Lights celebration the Abbott House girls were practicing Christmas carols for their performance during the celebration. “This is so exciting,” one girl commented. “I’ve always dreamed about doing something like this and now I’m going to be able to do it.”

Another child helped us put up Christmas decorations outside. One of the girls who helped decorate was Lacey. Lacey was abandoned as a young child and then adopted by a caring family.
Lacey began having problems in school and in the home. Her adoptive parents had tried everything with no success, and had begun making plans to terminate the adoption and turn Lacey back to the state. An adoption worker recommended a placement at Abbott House to see if we could work through the many issues with which this family is dealing.

Initially Lacey really struggled and it took over 3 months of working closely with her every day to make enough gains that we could start family therapy.

In school her grades have gone from all F’s to B’s and C’s and she is building confidence in the fact that she can “make it” in school. Last month her classmates elected her to the student council to represent them. This only bolstered Lacey’s thoughts of herself and her abilities.

As she helped us string lights on a tree this fall we talked about how she came to be here at Abbott House and what she wanted in the future. At one point she remarked “I know now that I can make it, I can do whatever I want.”

Lacey went home to her family just before Christmas this year. Because of your support she will not be terminated, instead she is being reunited with a family that loves her. Thank you for coming to see our lights and for supporting girls like Lacey!

Welcome to Abbott House

Abbott House is a private charity that provides residential treatment services to girls between the age of seven and seventeen. Located in Mitchell, South Dakota, the agency was founded in 1939 as a memorial to renowned social activist, Grace Abbott. The agency provides not only intensive treatment but also foster care in a therapeutic home. The Abbott House is truly dedicated to providing services to children and families that promote personal development and foster responsible participation with others.

Abbott House from Abbott House on Vimeo.

From monetary donations to hands-on volunteers, Abbott House relies on the generosity of others to help carry out its mission. We invite you to learn more about how you can help us better the lives of the children we serve...

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