For Melissa Storley, staying busy is simply part of giving back.
The Roslyn native and former Britton resident is involved in a wide range of community efforts across northeast South Dakota. That dedication is now earning recognition, as she has been named a finalist in the annual Who Powers You contest, which highlights individuals and organizations making a difference in their communities.
The contest, hosted by regional Touchstone Energy cooperatives, recognizes those who go above and beyond to serve others, with winners selected based on their impact.
Storley, who lives on her family farm near Roslyn and is a member of Lake Region Electric Cooperative, returned to the area in January 2023 after spending years living elsewhere in the state. She retired from a 25-year teaching career at that time and has since devoted much of her energy to community involvement.
“I like to help my community,” Storley said. “You can’t always sit on the sidelines and hope someone else does it. Since I can, I do.”
That mindset is evident in the number of organizations she supports.
Storley serves on the board of Strand Kjorsvig Nursing Home, where she has helped increase awareness of the facility through promotional efforts. She is also active at Fron Lutheran Church, where she contributes to fundraising and event planning, including activities such as rummage sales, pie events and the church’s fall bazaar.
“It was the church I grew up in,” she said. “There are familiar faces, and we’re working toward things like redoing the kitchen and landscaping.”
In addition, Storley is a key member of the Veterans Memorial Park fundraising committee in Roslyn. The project, located on Main St, remains a work in progress, but has already seen major developments, including cement work and the addition of a gazebo.
“They had just started it before I came back,” Storley said. “I joined the committee, and I’ve been helping figure out plaques and researching names of soldiers from Roslyn, Grenville, Lake City and Eden.”
Much of Storley’s time is also spent with CARE (Community Advancement for Roslyn and Eden), where she plays a leading role in organizing events and promoting the area. Her involvement includes managing the International Vinegar Museum, helping coordinate the annual International Vinegar Festival held each June, and assisting with Eden Fun Day and other community activities.
She also helps manage the Roslyn Event Center and has assisted with organizing performances at Storybook Land Theater.
“It is busy, but it’s rewarding,” Storley said.
Her volunteer efforts extend beyond Roslyn as well. Storley contributes time at Langford Area School, where her husband, Shad, serves as superintendent.
Storley’s nomination for the Who Powers You contest came from friend and fellow CARE member Jenny Roerig, who praised her wide-ranging contributions.
“Melissa is an intricate part of our group with her organization, her outgoing personality, her high energy and her beautiful voice,” Roerig wrote in her nomination. “She wears many, many hats. Melissa is very deserving of this recognition, as she gives so, so much to our communities.”
Storley said the nomination came as a surprise. “It’s an honor to be nominated,” she said. “It’s nice that people notice. I don’t do it for that, but it’s nice.”
Local officials also highlighted her impact. “We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Melissa Storley for being nominated and selected as a finalist of the Touchstone Energy Who Powers You Contest,” said Laura London of Lake Region Electric. “Melissa’s positive impact on our community is truly inspiring.”
As part of the contest, Storley was featured on Keloland Living on April 2. Final winners are expected to be announced in late May.
For Storley, however, the recognition is secondary to the work itself.
From organizing community events to supporting local institutions, she continues to focus on strengthening the small towns she calls home, one project at a time.
