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here is one word that describes Rebecca Bessman: selfless. Whether it is in her career or through volunteerism, Bessman, 26, strives to step up whenever she can to help others and leave her surroundings better than when she found them. 2011 brought a new job opportunity for Bessman that fit this word perfectly and she became admissions coordinator at the Good Samaritan Society – Sioux Falls Center in late July. Bessman is the first to have this position and has a variety of roles that include incoming tours and inquiries, along with making residents content with the atmosphere. “The day that we get a new resident I work with getting them acquainted with us and just letting them know we’re going to take care of you, you’ll be comfortable here,” she explained. Most residents are in focused rehab to get stronger in hopes to eventually return home. This can go really well or can take a negative turn. “It’s hit and miss. It depends on what type of situation you’re running into,” Bessman said. For example, some residents come in with a minor knee injury where they need to learn how to use a walker. “They’re in pretty good spirits when they know what they’re working towards,” she said. But others that suffer something like a stroke are tougher spots. “They need to start basically from square one again,” Bessman said. “That’s frustrating.” But helping brighten their day or lifting their spirits is what makes Bessman passionate about her job. “I like to be that first person; I like to be able to put the smile on their face, joke with them a little bit and put everybody at ease,” she said. What may have drawn Bessman to this new career is that she cares deeply about people. The spring and summertime are jam-packed with volunteering, including events like the Teddy Bear Den’s “Celebrity Night Out” that helps
low-income mothers receive imperative items like diapers, strollers, bottles, cribs and the like. “I love getting involved in things, especially when you know it’s for a good cause,” she said. Bessman gets asked frequently to be part of fundraisers like Go Red for Women for the American Heart Association and the Sanford Gala because of a family talent she can put to use: auctioneering. “My background in getting involved is because my dad is an auctioneer, so anything auction-related from the back-end side of things, like setting up an auction and how you need to clerk them,” Bessman said. But when asked what is her favorite fundraiser, she answered instantly, “My favorite one, just because I’ve been involved for so long, is probably JazzFest,” she said. “I’m one of about 50 people that helps put on a festival for the whole state and tri-state area.” Bessman has been on the committee for the past three years and has worked JazzFest with the Jazz & Blues Society as an employ and intern for several years prior. She currently works the merchandise tent and can’t even keep track of how many hours she and other committee members spend at the three-day festival. “Holy cow, I don’t even know. I guess I’ve never really thought of it that way,” she explained. “I just kind of always thought that’s what we’re here to do, so I guess I’ve never put the pen and paper to figure out how long I’ve spent working on it.” Aside from her selflessness, it’s apparent the word “music” definitely comes in a close second in Bessman’s life. It all started after picking up the saxophone at a young age, noting instructors Dennis and Jeremy Hegg as early influences. “I still live on with the nickname [Jeremy] gave me in jazz band that year: Mavric,” she said.
Another huge influence - and now close friend - came from meeting Raine Jerke of the band PowerPlay at the fair when she was 14. “They’ve become part of my family,” Bessman said of the band. When we talked before going to print, Bessman was preparing for a New Year’s Eve event with PowerPlay at the Ramkota Hotel. “[PowerPlay] wanted to do something since they have family in the area and a lot of friends around here,” she said. When asked what her role was in the event she replied, “Lead liaison, maybe. They had the idea that they wanted to have this party and I thought why don’t we turn it into a fundraiser?” The New Years Eve Bash 2012 raised money for Cure Kids Cancer. Going into the event, she said she was helping with a little bit of everything as the volunteer extraordinaire. “I’m like the ‘Ask Jeeves’ of planning this event,” she laughed. As for the year coming to a close, her highlight for 2011 was definitely the new job and seeing the progress residents go through. “Every day you know you’re helping someone and helping [residents] get through a tough situation that they don’t necessarily want to be in,” she said. When it came to her goal in 2012, she replied, “I want to make sure we have a fun [JazzFest] in July.” As for finding time for herself? “I want to take a sweet vacation, is that a good goal,” she laughed. Luckily, for Bessman, she has help when her schedule piles up. According to her, “I have a pretty good group of friends and family to rally around, so if I fall short on needing some help with something I can have a backup plan, too.” For more info on the Good Samaritan Society, visit www.good-sam.com or check out JazzFest at www.siouxfallsjazzfest. com.
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