South Dakota Ghostbusters turn movie fandom into a force for good - Mitchell Daily Republic

Proton Packs on the Prairie: How South Dakota Ghostbusters Turned 1980s Nostalgia Into a Nonstop Charitable Engine

When Brandan Moe first sat in a dark movie theater back in 1984, watching a team of eccentric parapsychologists save New York City from supernatural forces, he had no idea the cinematic spectacle would eventually translate into thousands of meals and charitable dollars served right across South Dakota. More than four decades later, Moe no longer just watches the paranormal comedy classic from the audience. He builds the nuclear-powered proton packs, maintains a fleet of converted funeral cruisers, and leads a dedicated 20-person collective of volunteers who turn up at community parades, school functions, and fundraising drives in authentic tan flight suits. According to reporting from the Mitchell Daily Republic, what began as a 5-year-old’s lifelong cinematic obsession has evolved into a fully formalized nonprofit framework capable of tackling food insecurity and supporting hospital-bound children.

The operational heartbeat of the group relies on a visual spectacle that is hard to ignore on a busy downtown corner. Members of the South Dakota Ghostbusters appear at conventions, trunk-or-treat gatherings, and sports events throughout the year, deploying interactive props and photo opportunities designed to make families feel immediately welcome. Behind the theatrical smoke and replica ghost-traps lies a deliberate operational strategy. As the group explains on southdakotaghostbusters.org, their public appearances work best when they help civic partners draw a crowd, boost local participation, and generate an experience worth sharing. Those roadside proton packs and customized Ecto vehicles act as a high-visibility funnel, drawing curious onlookers in so local charities can make their pitch.

From Custom Hearse Conversions to the 605 Community Impact Foundation

Moe has spent years refining the team’s gear, moving from his initial hand-built proton pack into sophisticated 3D printing workflows using five dedicated machines to manufacture specialized parts for members.

While the costumes draw the initial gaze, the group’s calendar is anchored by rigorous community service. Their busiest stretch runs from February through October, bridging everything from the Mall Walk for LifeScape and St. Patrick’s Day parades to summer baseball games at the Canaries stadium. During the Halloween season, the group volunteers to pack approximately 250 meals for Lunches Served to spotlight local food insecurity. They also support Sioux Empire TNR at CatCon and contribute to nationwide fundraising efforts for the Starlight Foundation, which aids children in hospitals.

South Dakota Ghostbusters turn movie fandom into a force for good - Mitchell Daily Republic — Photo: southdakotaghostbusters.org

To handle the expanding flow of capital and donations, members incorporated the 605 Community Impact Foundation as a separate nonprofit organization, receiving its official IRS determination letter in June. The foundation concentrates on food insecurity, health, hygiene, family support, and youth engagement, while the costumed volunteers continue to serve as its primary fundraising arm. It is a calculated division of labor designed to ensure that when the group engages in sensitive community projects, they bring institutional seriousness alongside their homemade proton packs.