Dulas named Volunteer of the Year by Wells Chamber
The Wells Chamber of Commerce held a winter social on Wednesday, Jan. 18. During the event the Chamber took time to recognize a very special member of their community.
The annual Volunteer of the Year award was given to Crystal Dulas by Wells Chamber of Commerce past president Lacey Hassing along with current president Corey Olson.
“One of the things we consider when choosing someone to receive this award is the amount of time an individual spends in an effort to make the Wells community a better place to live,” says Wells Chamber of Commerce executive director Tabitha Swenson.
Dulas is very deserving of the award, according to Olson.
“Crystal is one of our ‘go-to’ people whenever we have something that needs to be done,” Olson explains. “If we require help or assistance, Crystal will answer the door.”
A look at the list of organizations Dulas has served on reveals the Wells native has indeed spent a great amount of time as a volunteer during the last 16 years.
She was a member of the Wells Jaycees from 2008-2017 where she served as a treasurer, vice president and president of the organization.
“I headed up the Junior Miss program for four years and Kernel Days for two years,” Dulas notes. “Once you are over 40 you are done. I aged out of the job.”
Dulas also served on the Wells Area Chamber of Commerce from 2009-2013, and again from 2016-2020, and held the positions of secretary and president in the organization.
She also has been active in her church, St. Casimir’s in Wells, where she was a faith formation teacher.
Dulas served on the Wells City Council from 2017-2020 and was elected in November of last year to the council again.
She served on the Planning and Zoning Board in 2013, the Housing Redevelopment Board from 2017 until 2021 and the Economic Development Authority in 2017.
Riverland College has also had Dulas as a member of their Diesel Technology Advisory Board since 2020.
The list continues.
She has been a member of the Association of Women Contractors since 2015 and a Women Owned Business (WBO) member where she has had a seat on the executive board since 2022.
“I enjoy volunteering,” Dulas says. “The way I see it, it is a way to see that things get done and a way to give back to the community.”
She notes that many smaller communities rely on volunteers to accomplish a variety of tasks.
“It can be troublesome at times to find the time and the people to get tasks accomplished,” Dulas comments. “But, it is a wonderful feeling to complete things the community can enjoy.”
She is the daughter of Jerry and Marilyn Dulas and a graduate of the local high school in town.
“I went to college at South Dakota State University and got a degree in civil engineering,” Dulas explains. “Then I went on the road for five years down south working for a construction company.”
The Dulas name is well known in Wells and the surrounding area. Dulas Construction has been a part of the Wells business community for many years.
Dulas moved back to the Wells area in 2007 and went to work for her father’s company.
“In the back of my mind I always thought I would move back” she shares.
Now, she is a business partner with her brother Ike, who is two years her junior. Their businesses include Dulas Excavating, Dulas Diesel and Repair (formerly S & H Diesel, Inc.) and Dulas Disposal (formerly Peterson Refuse).
“I can run equipment to move it but not operate it to perform a job with it. I will never dare to operate it on a job,” she says laughing.
“I admit, when I moved back I first thought I may have made a mistake,” Dulas comments. “Then, I was asked to attend a Jaycees meeting and it just snowballed from there. That is why I urge others to just dip their toe in the water and get a taste of being a part of an organization. They might learn they really enjoy it.”
Dulas understands it can be tough to get involved as a volunteer.
“Stepping into a new group or organization can be intimidating,” she adds. “But, once you open yourself up to new people and new ideas, it can be very rewarding.”
The joy and rewards she has gleaned from being a volunteer are why Dulas continues to encourage others, especially young people, to take the plunge and volunteer.
“I do encourage young people to accept things they are not used to doing, to get involved,” she comments. “Volunteering is also a great way to broaden your horizons.”
The belief that it is important to be involved is part of what led Dulas to run for election to the Wells City Council again.
“I am excited to serve in that capacity again,” she says. “It is good for city government to have people serving who have a wide variety of experiences and ideas.”
Asked what her favorite volunteer job has been, Dulas has to ponder awhile before responding.
“I think being a part of the Jaycees sticks out,” she offers. “There is no longer a Junior Miss program but I found it very rewarding to see young ladies step out of their shell and be their true selves.”