The May, 2006 Citizen of the Month is a husband and wife who have made tremendous contributions to the community and the future of children by serving as foster parents. The May, 2006 Citizen of the Month award is presented to Claude and Eileen Sauers of Rapid City.

Eileen and Claude moved to Rapid City in 1956 when Claude began his work for the National Weather Service and Eileen devoted her time to raising children. Together they raised one adopted child and eight birth children. Claude and Eileen have been active members of their church where they served as foster parents for seven years, providing a home for at least thirty children.

In early 1997, Eileen and Claude joined the LSS as foster parents and from 1997 to 2006, they have provided a loving home for children in treatment foster care and served as respite care foster parents to multiple children. Eileen and Claude very much want to continue providing foster care and respite care but feel that it is time for them to retire due to their advancing age and transportation limitations.

Lutheran Social Services nominated the Sauers for their compassion and commitment to foster youth, noting that they have served as mentors for other foster families. “Other foster parents describe them as patient, loving, very committed and incredibly giving people. They approach discipline in a very loving, structured manner and use consequences that are developmentally appropriate for each child.” The Sauers place strong emphasis on children having close, on-going relationships with extended family members and birth family members when in the best interest of the child. One member of the LSS Foster Parent Development committee best describes the Sauers as, “Their arms are always open and are very special people and deserve to be recognized as the Citizen of the Month.”