Bed Building Event Breaks Community Service Records

Southeast Technical College’s Service to Community Days are off to a grand start for Spring 2025! STC partnered with the Sioux Falls chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build 86 beds for children in the community. The volunteer event was the largest single-day event in STC history with 367 volunteers contributing more than 464 community service hours.

“I’m thrilled with the success of this event,” said Cory Clasemann, STC president. “It’s an incredible reflection of what makes Southeast Tech so special — our commitment to service, collaboration and making a real difference. The impact we’ve made — knowing that 86 children now have a safe, comfortable place to sleep — is something we’ll carry with us for a long time.”

Kristin Wellnitz, an STC instructor and Service to Community Days Coordinator, added that that community outreach is also an integral part of learning.

“At Southeast Tech, every event we host is designed with two goals in mind: serving our community and providing opportunities for our students to apply classroom skills to the real world. Whether we’re connecting students with industry leaders or creating opportunities for hands-on learning, these moments reflect our commitment to practical, career-focused education.”

Not only was the event a big day at STC, but it was also a big day for Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Nicole Hofer, co-president of the Sioux Falls chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace and STC’s on-site event lead, said “We have never taken on a build of this magnitude or even comparable to it. I hope that STC enjoyed it as much as we did.”