Monument Health Behavioral Health continually evaluates opportunities to enhance patient safety while responsibly stewarding organizational resources. As part of these efforts, leadership identified an opportunity to modify existing inpatient Behavioral Health scrubs by removing and sewing shut pockets, creating a safer patient care environment while extending the life of the facility’s current scrubs inventory.
Rather than replacing hundreds of scrubs, Behavioral Health partnered with Ellsworth Air Force Base to organize a volunteer sew-a-thon. Held on January 6 and 8, 2026, 13 Honor Guard Airmen and 4 military spouses generously donated their time in support of the initiative.
Together, the volunteers modified 580 patient scrub sets — approximately one-third of Behavior Health’s facility’s inpatient uniform inventory.
Cole-TAC, a Rapid City manufacturer of hunting and firearms-related gear followed up by hosting Behavioral Health’s second Sew-a-Thon.
Guided by owners Dustin and Liene Coleman, more than 26 professional stitchers generously volunteered their time and expertise to modify more than 440 patient scrub sets by removing breast and pant pockets.
By repurposing existing scrubs rather than purchasing new ones, the two sew-a-thon events have generated cost savings that allow resources to be redirected toward patient care and other initiatives that strengthen the services we provide to our patients and community.
Serving approximately 1,500 inpatient admissions annually, Behavioral Health will benefit from this initiative for years to come. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Cole-TAC and Ellsworth Air Force for donating their time, talent and ongoing commitment to serving our community.
Their craftsmanship is now woven into the story of healing at Behavioral Health.
Story by Kory Lanphear