Giving Generates ‘Joy, Joy, Joy’ for Hill City Donor
DeMaris Nesheim could have let tragedy stifle her joy when her first husband, Chuck Mathison, passed away far too young. She could have been consumed by grief when her 36-year-old daughter, Jodie, passed away after a short battle with aggressive cancer in 2010. Instead, DeMaris became determined to use her time on earth to make a difference.
“At that time I decided I would spend the rest of my life helping kids like she did,” says DeMaris of her daughter. At the time of her passing, Jodie was the principal of a residential school in California for children who had experienced various forms of abuse.
DeMaris has channeled both her time and her financial resources to causes supporting children across the state, including LSS of South Dakota’s Canyon Hills Center in Spearfish. The retired former teacher who will turn 85 this May lives in Hill City but frequently makes the hour-and-a-half drive to the Northern Hills to spend time with the youth and staff.
“It’s been a wonderful experience. I am so thankful to have that opportunity,” says DeMaris. “It has put meaning back in my life and been a very joyful journey.”
DeMaris and her second husband, Erv, a retired engineer, have come to see the Canyon Hills staff members as sons and daughters and taken the LSS mission under their wings as well. One of their first projects was funding a walk-in freezer to make the kitchen more efficient.
“Walking in after they got the project done—a project that took a lot of ingenuity—I remember the smile on the cook’s face. It melted my heart a little bit,” says DeMaris.
The most meaningful part for her has been listening to staff and building relationships with them. It has given her a deeper appreciation for the work they do to help youth who are struggling with mental health issues.
“It’s been fun for me to talk to staff and get a feel for what they need and get to know them,” says DeMaris. “They are the saints among us.”
DeMaris is offering a $50,000 matching donation with a special catch; she wants her gift to encourage NEW gifts to LSS during the LSS Week of Giving April 19–26. DeMaris has offered to triple your gift if you haven’t donated to LSS before or it’s been a while.
“I am offering this match to encourage giving to a wonderful cause. LSS does so much good in the community, and I feel confident in their ability to make a difference. Let’s work together to create an impact,” says DeMaris.
DeMaris will triple all new donations up to $50,000, so whether you can give $10 or $1,000, the LSS Week of Giving is the time. Your $10 can be $30, and a gift of $1,000 could be $3,000!
“There is joy, joy, joy in sharing the gifts God has given me,” says DeMaris. “Sometimes I pinch myself and wonder why He has given me this great honor and joy.”
