Sioux Falls, S.D. – On Saturday, Southeast Technical College turned its annual Service to Community Day into a practical transportation boost for local families. Over 300 students gathered to assemble 40 new bicycles, which were then handed to 40 community members who need reliable wheels for work, job searches, or everyday errands.
Students lead hands‑on effort
Kristin Wellnitz, a spokesperson for the college, explained that the school has been selecting community‑focused projects each fall since 2020. “We’ve done beds in the past, participated in Rake the Town, worked with the YMCA this past spring, so we have done a variety of different projects,” she said. This year’s focus was transportation, a need that resonates with many residents across the region.
Why bicycles matter
Wellnitz noted that for some recipients the bikes will serve as a daily commute to work, while for others they provide a means to search for employment or simply travel from point A to point B. “For some it’s transportation to work, for others it’s transportation to look for work, or maybe just an extra set of wheels that they can use to get people from Point A to Point B,” she said.
Partnership with local bike shop
The college partnered with Spoke‑N‑Sport, a local bike shop, to source the bicycles. After purchasing the frames, students spent hours assembling each bike, ensuring they were ready for immediate use.
Support for McCrossan Boys Ranch
Several of the bicycles will be allocated to McCrossan Boys Ranch, a nonprofit that provides an independent‑living program for young men. Luann Wolfe, a representative of the ranch, said the bikes will be a vital resource for residents who lack personal vehicles. “The bikes will go to our independent living gentlemen that live on campus with us, and once they leave campus, then if they don’t have a car, these are perfect for them,” Wolfe explained.
Wolfe also highlighted the ongoing partnership between the ranch and Southeast Technical College, noting that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to serving the community. “It means so much that we have this community partnership with Southeast Tech. We do a lot of other programs with them, but this is just another way of them that they’re supporting us and what we do in our mission,” she said.
Impact on the community
By providing bicycles, the college addresses a practical barrier that can limit employment opportunities and daily mobility for many Sioux Falls residents. The initiative also offers students real‑world experience in project planning, teamwork, and community outreach—skills that align with the college’s mission to develop skilled, civically engaged graduates.
Service to Community Day continues to be a cornerstone of Southeast Technical College’s outreach, reinforcing the institution’s role as a catalyst for positive change in the Sioux Falls area.
Original reporting: Dakota News Now KSFY Sioux Falls (local) — read the source article.
