Douglas and Rhonda Kludt of Huron, South Dakota, were awarded the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) Hometown Hero award for establishment of sub funds of the Huron Community Foundation (HCF).

"We are grateful to these families for their continued support for the Huron area," said Steve Gohn, HCF President. "It is because of generous donors like these that we are able to create a true legacy for our community."

SDCF Hometown Heroes, a remarkable group driven by an unwavering passion for community growth, have been instrumental in creating a sustainable legacy for causes important to South Dakota. Their dedication has inspired a wave of support, positively impacting countless lives.

"We feel so good about doing this for the community that has given so much to us and to our children," said Rhonda Kludt. "The HCF is a prudent way to leave a legacy for all the good happening in Huron. We have witnessed firsthand the many positive programs and enhancements that have occurred since the inception of the foundation, and we want to do our part to assure that will continue."

Doug added, "I was born and raised in Huron and have worked here for most of my professional life. Huron has given me most of what I have. It's time to give some of that back to the community that means so much to us. The Huron Community Foundation provides our small town a chance to thrive into the future."

Rhonda grew up in Fort Pierre, attended SDSU and graduated from BHSU with degrees in Elementary Education/Early Childhood Development. She currently serves as Vice President for HCF and has been involved with the Student United Way-Huron Youth Leadership Council (HYLC) since it was restructured under the auspices of the United Way Heartland Region in 2017. A philosophy she has long believed is that the engagement of the next generation is pivotal to the vitality of any community. The HYLC recently received the SD Association of Fundraising Professionals Youth in Philanthropy Award and has granted over $40,000 toward youth leadership development projects since 2003. She has been actively involved in various community and state organizations working passionately to advance opportunities for children. She taught Kindergarten for 20 years and helped to establish the Huron Preschool Partnership Program and serves on the Statewide Family Engagement Center Advisory Council.

Doug, a graduate of USD and USD Law School, is a recently retired attorney. He was on the initial board of the Huron Community Foundation working with other like-minded Huronians to establish the foundation. He has served on numerous boards and committees and was chairperson of the Middle School Expansion Project educating the community on the need for a new facility. He served on the Huron City Commission during the Covid 19 outbreak and with the mayor and other commissioners led Huron through a very difficult time. He serves as the chairperson for Heartland State Bank Board of Directors and represents the States Attorney's Office in the Beadle County Drug Court Program.

The Kludts have two children. Rachel Kary is the Huron High School Librarian, and her husband Levi is the Executive Director of the Huron Regional Medical Center Foundation. They have two boys, Leo, and Connor. Their son Thomas lives in New York City with his longtime partner, Anna Friemoth. Thomas is a contributing editor for Vanity Fair.