25 years ago the Hanson Building in downtown Sioux Falls burned down.
One group still remembers it like it was yesterday. Once a month, a group of women who worked together in the building two decades ago still meet up. We stopped by to find out what they remember about that day.
The Hanson Building fire was shocking for the entire community, especially those working there at the time.
Fast-forward to today, and a group of women who met there are still sharing their lives.
"Back then, we were having kids. Marriages, illnesses, you know whatever. We've gone through a lot through the years," said Nancee Sturdevant, former Exec. Dir. of Volunteer Information Center.
"So it's just great to get together and find out what everybody is doing. We love it," said Karla Ball, former Helpline Coordinator.
These ladies worked on the third floor of the Hanson Building at the Volunteer Information Center, now known as The Helpline Center.
With the anniversary coming up, they're reminiscing and sharing memories that still surprise them.
"Our bookkeeper's desk was hanging by two legs and then the floor was gone, but we were able to retrieve some important things from her desk. So that was kind of a miracle," said Sturdevant.
KELOLAND News is also part of their memories. While taking in the devastation from Phillips Avenue after the fire, a reporter approached two of the women.
"Jay Trobec, and as we were standing there talking to him a piece of paper floated by and I grabbed it. It was from my desk. It was ashes. It was burnt all around the edges, but I recognized the writing," said Cheryl White, former Volunteer Coordinator at VIC.
The women say building these friendships out of the rubble has been life changing for all of them.
"We've moved away, we've gotten divorces, we've had kids, we've lost parents and still the bond is so tight," said White.
"Even though that the fire's been out for 25 years, our friendship is still burning," said Ball.
The women say thanks to the community, the Helpline Center was still able to operate full time after the fire.
One group still remembers it like it was yesterday. Once a month, a group of women who worked together in the building two decades ago still meet up. We stopped by to find out what they remember about that day.
The Hanson Building fire was shocking for the entire community, especially those working there at the time.
Fast-forward to today, and a group of women who met there are still sharing their lives.
"Back then, we were having kids. Marriages, illnesses, you know whatever. We've gone through a lot through the years," said Nancee Sturdevant, former Exec. Dir. of Volunteer Information Center.
"So it's just great to get together and find out what everybody is doing. We love it," said Karla Ball, former Helpline Coordinator.
These ladies worked on the third floor of the Hanson Building at the Volunteer Information Center, now known as The Helpline Center.
With the anniversary coming up, they're reminiscing and sharing memories that still surprise them.
"Our bookkeeper's desk was hanging by two legs and then the floor was gone, but we were able to retrieve some important things from her desk. So that was kind of a miracle," said Sturdevant.
KELOLAND News is also part of their memories. While taking in the devastation from Phillips Avenue after the fire, a reporter approached two of the women.
"Jay Trobec, and as we were standing there talking to him a piece of paper floated by and I grabbed it. It was from my desk. It was ashes. It was burnt all around the edges, but I recognized the writing," said Cheryl White, former Volunteer Coordinator at VIC.
The women say building these friendships out of the rubble has been life changing for all of them.
"We've moved away, we've gotten divorces, we've had kids, we've lost parents and still the bond is so tight," said White.
"Even though that the fire's been out for 25 years, our friendship is still burning," said Ball.
The women say thanks to the community, the Helpline Center was still able to operate full time after the fire.