Children’s advocate, author Tom Roberts to retire with final book sale

After more than two decades and 65,000 books sold, Children’s Home Society external relations coordinator and author Tom Roberts is retiring.

Roberts will end his role with Children’s Home Society at the end of May and also will conclude a 22-year Christmas book project benefiting the nonprofit.

The eight books he has written in the past 22 years have generated more than $1.6 million for Children’s Home Society.

“This time frame for me to decide to retire has been on my radar awhile since I am of the age, plus I’ve had a few health issues over this past year that to me has been an indicator that maybe now is the time,” Roberts said.

“In addition, Children’s Home Society is currently undergoing several changes and transformations, so I feel it is a good time for me to transition as well.”

Roberts first joined the Children’s Home Foundation in 2009 as an events coordinator for its annual fundraiser, the Evening for Kids banquet and Orion Classic golf tournament, which became the Caring for Kids banquet and tournament.

“In addition to this role, I continued to write, produce and promote my Christmas books as a vehicle to share the mission of CHS and raise much-needed funds for the programs and services we provide to the kids and families in our care,” he said.

He took on a part-time external relations role in 2023, using his love of storytelling to focus on speaking at churches, schools, libraries, service clubs and community events to talk about Children’s Home and the opportunities that are available for people to help.

“Knowing that what I do — and what everybody here at CHS does — makes a significant positive impact on the lives of children and families from our very own communities here in South Dakota” has been the best part of the job, he said.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to work with such dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters of this mission and watching first-hand how our collective efforts can make such a change for the good.”

Roberts’ wife, Tammy, plans to continue her role as an assistant director of development and media relations at Children’s Home Society until the end of the year and then retire.

To wind down the book project, a final signing and sale will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Crossroads Book and Music, 1220 W. 41st St.

Books available are “Christmas Reflections,” “On That One Christmas Eve,” “The Greatest Gift,” “Return to the Farm” and “The Little Lost Sock.” All books are now $10, plus tax, with proceeds benefiting CHS. Books will continue to be on sale at Crossroads until May 31, while supplies last. Books also can be purchased online, with a shipping charge, at chssd.org/books.

“It has been so gratifying whenever I hear from somebody who shares with me that they have made the reading of my books an annual family Christmas tradition. I love hearing how different people will have different favorites,” Roberts said.

“As much as I have loved doing the Christmas book project, as I get older, it becomes more and more apparent of how challenging it is to physically haul the heavy boxes of books from place to place. The time comes when you just have to say, ‘I’m done.’ That doesn’t mean I’ll stop writing or storytelling. … I just won’t be transporting books everywhere.”

In retirement, the Robertses hope to travel more, and he plans to teach his youngest granddaughter to drive a car this summer. The extra time also might allow Sioux Falls audiences more opportunities to watch Roberts, who for the past several years has performed the role of Ebenezer Scrooge during the annual production of “A Christmas Carol” by The Premiere Playhouse.

“In retirement, I do hope to have the opportunity to do more performing on stage, on camera or on a microphone,” he said.

His days as an author might not be over, either.

“I have been toying with the idea of writing a book of stories for children,” he said.

From Santa to Scrooge: Tom Roberts delivers Christmas memories on stage and off