Newspaper, Juna scouting South Dakota for unsung heroes

MATTRESS GIVEAWAY PROMOTION: Help The Dakota Scout & Juna Sleep Systems give back by nominating South Dakotans who always seem to be looking out for their neighbors

A lifetime of restful slumber awaits for a quiet, unsuspecting South Dakota hero.

Not every hero wears a uniform. Sometimes they’re the neighbor who never lets a sidewalk go unshoveled in the winter. Or the parent who balances two jobs with raising kids while still finding time to volunteer at school. Or the retiree who quietly mows lawns for those who can’t.

They’re the folks who make South Dakota communities stronger without ever asking for attention. And now, two Sioux Falls businesses want to shine a spotlight on them — and maybe even give them the best sleep of their lives.

Juna Sleep Systems and The Dakota Scout have partnered to launch a new initiative celebrating South Dakota’s “unsung heroes.” Community members are invited to nominate people who selflessly give back, with a chance for those nominees to be rewarded with a brand-new Juna mattress.

“At Juna, we believe great sleep is the foundation for living your best life,” said Nate Potratz, a sales associate with Juna. “But just as important are the people who make our communities stronger, often without recognition. This initiative is our way of saying thank you, of giving back to the unsung heroes who give so much of themselves.”

For Juna, that mission is rooted in craftsmanship and comfort. The Sioux Falls–based company designs and manufactures its mattresses in the U.S., emphasizing durability, support, and customer service.

The Dakota Scout, meanwhile, brings a different kind of comfort: keeping readers informed by being their connection to what's going on in South Dakota. As the state’s fastest-growing independent newsroom, The Scout covers politics and government with an eye on accountability and local impact.

“There are people all across South Dakota doing quiet, meaningful work to make their neighborhoods and towns better,” said Joe Sneve, who launched the newspaper in 2022 with his fellow journalist Jonathan Ellis. “We want to give those folks a little recognition — and maybe help them get the best sleep of their lives.”

Together, the two companies will be accepting nominations through Sept. 30. The winners won’t just walk away with a mattress — they’ll be recognized for their selflessness, their service, and the way they make South Dakota a little brighter every day.

“If we can provide them the comfort and rest they deserve, then we’re living up to what Juna is all about: improving lives, one good night’s sleep at a time,” Potratz said.

Know someone who deserves it? Nominate your local hero today at https://www.junasleep.com/south-dakotas-unsung-heroes.