BLACK HILLS ARTHRITIS ASSOCIATION  

Who We Are

We are volunteers who provide information, education, and support on a shoestring budget. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with no paid staff. All donations are used to support local programs. 

What We Do

Just as our Mission Statement says, we provide education and support on a shoestring budget. We are all volunteers and use any and all donations to keep our doors open and support our local programs.

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which means your charitable donation is tax deductable to the fullest extent of the law.

Thank you for visiting our site! For more information on programs or meeting, please visit the Contact Us page.

History of the Black Hills Arthritis Association  

The Dakota Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation was based in Fargo, North Dakota. In 1980, a volunteer group of arthritis patients organized monthly meetings and asked the foundation for support. At that time, Dr. James Engelbrecht was the only Rheumatologist in Rapid City. He & Sandy Magnavito served on the Dakota Chapter’s board and lobbied the Foundation to open an office with staff support so that arthritis educational programs could be offered to the public. By 1990 there were two offices: one in Sioux Falls and one in Rapid City.  When the Rapid City office was closed due to insufficient donations to Dakota Chapter, the volunteers met and decided to continue offering arthritis classes and programs. 

Black Hills Arthritis Association was formed in November 1991 by Dr. James Engelbrecht, Dr. Cynthia Weaver, Betty Coon, Mary Aldrich, Sandy Magnavito, Doyle Estes, and John Derby.