The Brockelsby Family, proud owners of Rapid City’s world-renowned family attraction, Reptile Gardens, is the 2008 recipient of the Tom Didier Excellence in Family Business Award.
The Tom Didier Excellence in Family Business Award was established in 1994, to acknowledge the importance of family-owned businesses to the economy and the region. This award recognizes multi-generational family businesses with practices and policies that positively impact local business, as well as the neighboring community.
This award is sponsored by the South Dakota Family Business Association from the University of South Dakota and it honors the many achievements and contributions of the Brockelsby family.
As renowned reptile handlers, Reptile Gardens has built a reputation upon their expert knowledge, and ability to help those in need of aid in a potentially hazardous reptile related situation. They take great pride in their involvement with the community.
In cases that could potentially result in a danger to the general public, a person has a pet cobra, or someone's large iguana suddenly decides to obstruct traffic, Reptile Gardens is called upon to safely confiscate the illegal animal.
Reptile Gardens has a strict policy in place for Law Enforcement situations, "We are willing to help in any way, any time, anywhere."
They have been involved in many seizures regarding illegally held
venomous snakes in a number of different states.
Reptile Gardens believes in giving back to the Black Hills community. They achieve this through their monetary donations and charity fund raisers, in addition to their work with area organizations throughout the year. Annually, Reptile Gardens donates over $5000 in free passes to charity fund raisers all over the state of South Dakota, as well as making monetary donations to the United Way, Love Inc., and Black Hills Workshop.
All through the year, Reptile Garden's plays host to various fund raisers and special events in the community. The money raised from Reptile Garden's Jingle in the Jungle pictures with Santa, was given to Children's Care and the Black Hills Children's Home. The tons of food also collected during this festive Christmas event were given to the area Food Bank. In the warmer months, they sponsor a golf tournament to benefit Children's Care, and during Methuselah's Birthday event, held in June of each year, the money raised from the photos taken with this beloved giant tortoise are donated to Storybook Island.
Adults and children from various organizations, including the Black Hills Children's Home, Big Brothers and Sisters, WAVI, CASA, and VA Hospitals, are also able to visit Reptile Garden's free of charge.
Reptile Gardens also cares about conservation, giving over $5000 yearly to various conservation organizations.
